Killer Instinct for Xbox One is "faster than almost any fighter out there", is "almost like a real fight"

Killer Instinct for Xbox One is defined by speed, design director David Verfaillie has told OXM - but not to the extent that victory defaults to the combatant with the fastest thumbs. Double Helix and Rare have apparently created a "tournament viable" fighter that's as much about strategy and observation as pulling off six quarter-roll specials a second.

"Killer Instinct was an aggressive game and that's something we've really taken to heart," Verfaillie explained to us as part of a preview you'll read in issue 104, on sale now. "The pace of our game, I think, is faster than almost any other fighter out there, and all the action really happens up close." Maintaining a high frame rate has been a top priority, he said. "The game will run at 60 frames. Definitely. The fighting game community demands it."

There's such a thing as too nippy for comfort, however. "We don't want this to be about who can move their hands the fastest," Verfaillie added later. "We want it to be a bout who can read their opponent the best, who can take control of the fighting space the best."

Among the key DNA strands that mark the new Killer Instinct out from the crowd is the infamous combo-breaker, whereby you interrupt the other player's onslaught by tapping punch and kick simultaneously (fail, and you'll be unable to react for a precious second or two).

http://www.oxm.co.uk/63259/killer-in...-a-real-fight/

This makes for a more fluid interplay between attack and defence, Verfaillie interjected. "When you're in a combo in a lot of other games, it's pretty much a one-way interaction. You just have to kind of sit there and wait until it's over."

In other and slightly less convincing news, lead producer Michael Willette has this to say. "Killer Instinct is almost like a real fight. It begins once you get punched in the face." Hmmm. In my experience, Michael, fights tend to begin with uncontrollable sobbing, thrown crockery and exaggerated claims about children you don't have.

Read Aoife's Killer Instinct hands-on for proper insights from a person who understands fighting games.

New Killer Instinct gameplay video breaks down Sadira's moves

Since her reveal, new Killer Instinct character Sadira (or "Dame Sticky-Stabalot" as Ed initially christened her) has had my curiosity. She looks pretty damn cool, after all, and I'm digging the weird spider theme.

In the video, Max is joined by Double Helix' community manager Rich for the first part of a Sadira-specific gameplay breakdown.

Sadira is, in Max's well-chosen words, "freaking nuts." She's extremely agile and mobile, far more so than any of the other characters, and comes with a double jump and a backflip backdash.

Max and Richard go through a huge chunk of Sadira's move list in the video below, including her command moves - like a launcher which can be followed up by a jump attack in the air. She also packs a downward kick from the air which can be used as an opener to further combos. From what I can tell so far, Sadira is all about those aerial strikes; she can also combo right off her throw, juggling opponents in mid-air.



I already kind of love her; she's exactly the kind of flippy, fast-moving character that I always go for. What do you think? Have you picked out a favourite from the roster yet?

http://www.oxm.co.uk/62943/new-kille...sadiras-moves/