Guest Grenouille Report post Posted December 21, 2002 After months of waiting and enduring a nearly 4 month delay KOC was finally released on 12/19. With Spike having licenses for all the major promotions in Japan, expectations for this were high, as this game hinges on future sequel add-on discs other than the one scheduled for 2/27. Gameplay:9/10 Every move and motion makes sense within the match. In other words Psychology is paramount here. People will sell moves through the match depending on where your attack is based. Matches will run usually 15-45+ game minutes, if the match is built up correctly. Season mode here is really well done. You have the choice of being part of NJPW, AJPW or Pancrase, all of which bring you along a usual year in various promotions. Ex. in August you'll be part of NJ's G1 Climax, or if your in AJ, you'll be in the Champion Carnival in March. Moving along through will unlock secret characters and after winning title belts they can be defended in exhibition matches. Controls: 8/10 The controls here are mix of AJPW King's Soul for the PSX with it's clutch system for grappling and Fire Pro for it's timing. At first without any previous experience with King's Soul the clutch was a bitch, but after about two days things are getting easier. Graphics: 8.5/10 Everything here looks great, but I'd say Smackdown: SYM's were just a tad better in respect to the wrestlers. SMD's arenas were pretty much the same thing with different entrance areas. In this game the arenas add just another element to an already great game. Wrestling in the Tokyo Dome is a much different feeling than having the same match in the Budokan, just small details like this make varying arenas worth having. Sounds: 9.5/10 I don't speak Japanese, but the commentary here kicks Smackdown's ass. NJ's color man gives strong emotion to all the big moves, which makes it feel like your watching a match on TV. Hearing him shout SHIIIIIIIIIINNNNNNGG WIZZZZAAADDD, every time Mutoh hits it brings a smile to my face. The other commentator in the game is Giant Baba, which is pretty amazing since he passed away nearly 4 years ago, but I guess that's technology today. Replay Value: 10/10 The roster is pretty deep with about 100 to start and another 70 or so to unlock, so having matches with various opponents shouldn't be a problem. A deep CAW should keep many people happy with the appearances of many people not in the game included. Playing the season mode many times over to unlock the secret characters should be enough to garner the 10, but with the release of upcoming Green disc, you'll be able to have matches with wrestlers from both discs. For example, in February fans across the world can have Kawada give Misawa a shitkicking for trying to kill AJPW. Conclusion If anything, Spike under hyped this game. Without divulging too much media or information, they left it up to the gamer to find out about this game while they play it. Hopefully the feeling I have for the game is shared over in Japan where it depends on their sales whether or not future add-ons will be released after the Green disc. Final Score: 9.5/10 (not an average.) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Downhome Report post Posted December 21, 2002 Is it easy to play with no knowledge of Japanese? Also, would this game alone be worth buying an import PS2, if it doesn't come to America that is? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Grenouille Report post Posted December 21, 2002 Is it easy to play with no knowledge of Japanese? Also, would this game alone be worth buying an import PS2, if it doesn't come to America that is? 1. It's pretty easy to get through the menus, but I'd be happier with an FAQ to look through. Just using trial and error you memorize the various menus quickly. 2. Offhand I'd say yes, but that depends on how much you like Puro. Like I said though if this game if a success, there could be numerous add-on discs which would make it worth it. I personally have a Japanese model, but I hear that Japanvideogames.com has a Universal system, but I don't know much about it. Also, I wouldn't count on US release with Bam's recent problems. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Downhome Report post Posted December 21, 2002 Is it easy to play with no knowledge of Japanese? Also, would this game alone be worth buying an import PS2, if it doesn't come to America that is? 1. It's pretty easy to get through the menus, but I'd be happier with an FAQ to look through. Just using trial and error you memorize the various menus quickly. 2. Offhand I'd say yes, but that depends on how much you like Puro. Like I said though if this game if a success, there could be numerous add-on discs which would make it worth it. I personally have a Japanese model, but I hear that Japanvideogames.com has a Universal system, but I don't know much about it. Also, I wouldn't count on US release with Bam's recent problems. How about this, Giant Gram 2000 is my favorite video game of all time, with Fire Pro Wrestling D following closely behind, and I am VERY much into Puroresu. :D Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Grenouille Report post Posted December 21, 2002 How about this, Giant Gram 2000 is my favorite video game of all time, with Fire Pro Wrestling D following closely behind, and I am VERY much into Puroresu. :D Well then, I'd hit eBay, usually you can pick up a Japanese PS2 with a few games for about $200, which beats paying $255 for one from an online retailer. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Cavi Report post Posted December 21, 2002 The game should be in my possession early next week. I'm quite hyped for it. The new videos over at IGN don't exactly do a whole world of good for my outlook on the game, but then again, they consisted of mostly them walking around the ring and doing strikes. Most everybody I have seen has put this latest effort from the Spike crew over, so that erases most of the doubts I have had. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
