Table of Contents
amazon Kill la Kill IF reviews
Storyline and Narrative
The narrative of “Kill la Kill IF” diverges from the main storyline of the anime, offering a “what if” scenario that allows players to experience an alternate version of events. The game primarily follows the story of Satsuki Kiryuin, one of the central characters in the anime, who in this version, becomes the protagonist. The narrative takes place after the events of the anime, exploring an alternate reality where Satsuki faces a new set of challenges and adversaries.
While the anime was known for its breakneck pacing, witty dialogue, and layered story, the game’s plot feels more straightforward and lacks the depth of the original series. The game attempts to capture the essence of the anime’s storytelling, but the execution is somewhat uneven. The story mode is divided into episodes, each offering a mix of cutscenes and battles. The cutscenes, which are fully voiced and animated in the game’s distinct art style, do a decent job of capturing the characters’ personalities and the high-energy atmosphere of “Kill la Kill.” However, the story’s pacing can feel disjointed, with some episodes dragging on while others rush through key events.
One of the game’s strengths is its ability to explore Satsuki’s character more deeply. In the anime, she is portrayed as a formidable, almost enigmatic figure, but “Kill la Kill IF” gives players more insight into her motivations and inner conflicts. This alternate narrative provides a fresh perspective on the story, making it a worthwhile experience for fans of the series. However, for those unfamiliar with the anime, the story may feel confusing and underdeveloped, as it relies heavily on players’ prior knowledge of the characters and events.
Gameplay Mechanics
“Kill la Kill IF” is a 3D arena fighter, a genre that has seen mixed success over the years. The game’s combat system is designed to be accessible to newcomers while offering enough depth to satisfy more experienced players. The controls are relatively simple, with a focus on quick, stylish combos and flashy special moves. Players can perform basic attacks, ranged attacks, and special moves, as well as activate a “Bloody Valor” system, which is a unique mechanic that adds a layer of strategy to battles.
The “Bloody Valor” system is one of the game’s most interesting features. It allows players to engage in a rock-paper-scissors-style mini-game during combat, where they can choose to taunt, provoke, or plead with their opponent. Winning this mini-game grants the player various bonuses, such as increased attack power or the ability to perform devastating finishing moves. This mechanic adds a psychological element to battles, as players must anticipate their opponent’s choices and react accordingly. While it doesn’t drastically change the flow of combat, it provides a nice change of pace and can turn the tide of battle if used effectively.
The game’s roster includes a variety of characters from the anime, each with their own unique fighting style and moveset. Characters like Ryuko Matoi, Satsuki Kiryuin, and Nui Harime are all faithfully recreated, with their abilities and personalities shining through in their fighting styles. The game does an excellent job of making each character feel distinct, and fans of the anime will appreciate the attention to detail in their animations and voice acting.
However, the gameplay does have its drawbacks. While the combat system is flashy and fun, it can also feel repetitive after extended play sessions. The simplicity of the controls means that once players have mastered a few basic combos, there isn’t much room for experimentation or creativity. The game lacks the depth and complexity of other fighting games, which may leave more experienced players wanting more. Additionally, the 3D arena format can sometimes lead to awkward camera angles and a lack of precision in movement and attacks, detracting from the overall experience.
The only bright spot of Kill la Kill: IF lies in the image and sound.
Made by Arc System Works, the character image is built almost the same as the original, using the company’s famous engine in recently released fighting games such as Guilty Gear, Dragon Ball FighterZ. With such a look, it feels like the player is playing the role of the characters in the movie, directly controlling them to launch blinding blows on the screen.
The soundtrack was also carefully scrutinized as the actors who voiced the characters of the anime’s series participated in the voice acting of the game. The intense background music also contributes to the fire quality of the games in the game, although there are a few situations that make you not understand at all.
The game’s temporary bright spot lies in its easy-to-approach, easy-to-learn gameplay. Arc System Works is famous for being a game company that makes fighting games with deep and complex gameplay. However, in Kill la Kill: IF, the company turned 180 back to its traditional style, only introduced gameplay based on simple buttons. If you can make a comparison, Kill la Kill: IF is more like a Devil May Cry 5 on a resistance platform than a real fighting game.
Because of the above reason, the game can reach the majority of gamers, who do not need to watch the frame rate, do not need to study techniques to maximize the capabilities of the character they control. Players only need to press one or two buttons, coordinate them together that they can perform the same moves as in the movie. Hands and eyes can be said to be the main criterion of Kill la Kill: IF that Arc System Works aims at.
Because of the gameplay mentioned above, its “retention” level of players is almost zero. The game has only 11 characters, including the characters in the DLC download. The shallow gameplay with a few characters compared to a modern fighting game in 2019 is an unfortunate minus point that Kill la Kill: IF encounters.
Besides, the single-player item of the game is also too trivial and boring. Completing each mission of the campaign part is a pain that the writer must go through to finish the game screen. After going through the main game screen for all the characters, the game has nothing for you to play except the fighting game between two people and opposing players on the internet. And since the game is quite… boring, finding a match online is also a pain, something not much fun.
Perhaps this is the point that makes the game superficially received by the opposition and almost absent from advertising.
where can you get a Kill la Kill IF online
Kill la Kill – IF – Nintendo Switch: Buy it now
Kill LA Kill: If (PS4): Buy it now
Kill la Kill The Game: IF [Japan Import]: Buy it now
Kill LA Kill – If PS4: Buy it now
Final Verdict
“Kill la Kill IF” is a game that succeeds in capturing the spirit of the anime on which it is based. Its vibrant visuals, energetic combat, and faithful character portrayals make it a love letter to fans of the series. However, it falls short in certain areas, particularly in its gameplay depth, character roster, and online features.
For fans of the anime, “Kill la Kill IF” offers a nostalgic and enjoyable experience, with enough new content to make it worth exploring. The alternate storyline provides a fresh take on familiar events, and the game’s aesthetic is a perfect match for the chaotic, over-the-top world of “Kill la Kill.”
For fighting game enthusiasts who are not familiar with the anime, “Kill la Kill IF” might not have enough to keep them engaged in the long term. The combat system, while fun, lacks the complexity that many players look for in the genre, and the limited roster and online features further diminish its appeal as a competitive title.
In conclusion, “Kill la Kill IF” is a game that knows its audience and plays to its strengths. It’s a solid, if not spectacular, adaptation of the anime, and while it has its flaws, it’s still an entertaining experience for those who appreciate the unique style and energy of “Kill la Kill.” Whether it’s worth your time and money ultimately depends on your connection to the source material and your expectations from a fighting game.