Killer Instinct (2013)

Graphics: Killer Instinct 2 (KI2) features a significant graphical upgrade from Killer Instinct, introducing more interactive levels, improved animation, and spectacular backgrounds. Spinal's ship level flexes skeleton warriors rowing, a dark background with dynamic clouds and lighting, and moving lamps that react to waves. Kim-Wu's and Combo's levels work with a unique rotating technique. The Full Motion Video (FMV) sequences are exceptional, particularly Glacius's glowing hand, which enhances the game's storyline.

Music/Sounds: KI2 packs original music with a blend of techno, rock, and rap across all stages, with no two stages sharing similar music. The select screen music is particularly praised. While it omits the combo announcements found in Killer Instinct, it announces all fighters, and each character has numerous grunts and death sounds.

Play Control: The game offers extensive move variety, including release moves, shadow moves, and ultras, significantly enhanced by super moves. Super moves allow for adding hits to ultras, performing combo breakers, and executing high-damage attacks. All moves are executed flawlessly using typical Half Circle Forward (HCF) movements. Overhead attacks, air combos, combo breakers, and transition moves are key elements that add depth to the gameplay.

Overall: Killer Instinct 2 is considered an outstanding sequel, bringing the arcade experience of Killer Instinct into a new dimension. It is regarded as the best Killer Instinct title to date.

Scores:

• Graphics: 10/10
• Music/Sound: 10/10
• Play Control: 10/10
• Overall: 10/10

Alright, let's break down how to read this guide so you can jump into Killer Instinct (2013) without missing a beat. Think of this like learning the secret handshake – once you know it, you'll understand everything the guide is trying to tell you.

First off, you'll see a bunch of letters used to describe directions and attacks. It might look like a secret code at first, but it's just a super-fast way to write things down. Here's the rundown:

• Directions:
• B = Back
• F = Foward
• D = Down
• U = Up
• DF = Down Foward
• DB = Down Back
• UF = Up Foward
• UB = Up Back
• Attack Buttons:
• QP = Quick Punch
• QK = Quick Kick
• MP = Medium Punch
• MK = Medium Kick
• FP = Fierce Punch
• FK = Fierce Kick
• Numeric Buttons (this is how the game often maps them!):
• 1 = Quick Punch
• 2 = Medium Punch
• 3 = Fierce Punch
• 4 = Quick Kick
• 5 = Medium Kick
• 6 = Fierce Kick
• General Button Presses:
• [P] = Press any Punch button
• [K] = Press any Kick button

Now, for the special moves – these are the flashy combos that make Killer Instinct so cool. The guide uses these abbreviations for the motions you need to do:

• Dragon Punch Motion: DP [F,DF,F]
• Quarter Circle Back: QCB [D,DB,B]
• Quarter Circle Foward: QCF [D,DF,F]
• Half Circle Back: HCB [F,DF,D,DB,B]
• Half Circle Foward: HCF [B,DB,D,DF,DF]
• Full Circle Back (360 Degrees): FCB [U,UF,F,DF,D,DB,B,UB,U]
• Full Circle Foward (360 Degrees): FCB [U,UB,B,DB,D,DF,F,UF,U]

You'll also see some other symbols that help clarify how to input these moves, especially in combos:

• [] = Press (This just means you press the button)
• () = Hold (You'll need to keep the button pressed down for a moment)
• + = Add press the button (This means you press two buttons at the exact same time, usually for combos)
• - = Continuous motion (This is important! It means you do the first part of the motion, and *immediately* follow it with the next input without pausing. For example, QCB-F+[5] means do the Quarter Circle Back motion and then, without stopping, finish with Forward and the Fierce Kick.)
• / = or (This means you have a choice between two options, like two different buttons or directions)

Take a moment to get comfortable with these. Once you've got them down, reading the rest of the guide will be a breeze, and you'll be pulling off those killer combos in no time!

Use the following information to help you execute important moves that are of most importance to becoming the KI2 Master. Some of this terminology goes back to the original KI but some things have changed.

Simple Definitions

Life Bar

The colored bar on the top of the screen. This bar decreases if you receive damage or inflict damage on your opponent. The bar starts out green and once the bar is gone, the character falls. He stands up and gets a full Yellow-Red life bar.

Timer

The timer starts at 99 seconds and slowly decreases. Once the timer reaches 00, the player with the most life wins. *NOTE* if you are fighting the Boss "Gargos," if the timer runs down to 00, he wins, no matter how much life you have.

Power Bar

Right under the lifebar sits another bar which changes color and lights up. Once this bar is full (or partly filled) depending on how much you have, you can execute Super Moves.

Character Select Screen

This screen is where you choose your character.

Special Moves

Every character has 5-10 special moves. These moves can be done throughout the whole game. Special Moves require you to do special joystick motions or charges.

Red Flashing Power

Just about when your opponent's life bar is about to end, his lifebar will start flashing. This is "red flashing power."

Throws

Characters have different ways to throw. Be careful, as there is a...

Counter Throw

Press B+6 to counter opponents who throw you too much.

Block

To block all you have to do is press and hold (B) to block jump or high attacks. Use (DB) to block sweeps and many fireball attacks.

More Complex Definitions

In order to get the most out of KI2, you must know how to do the following: