


These changes make for a quicker, more close range style of fighting that no longer allows users of the Extra mode to just sit back and charge their power bars.

Other changes include the inability to charge one's power bar and a modification to the backward dash technique that allows the player to jump back at the last moment in order to avoid an incoming attack and then automatically jump toward the opponent to strike with a counter attack. In KOF Evolution the player can do an evasion technique that allows them the option of either rolling toward the enemy to attack them or they may opt to simply roll around them to get to their backside without attacking. In Advanced more the player could do a roll to get behind the enemy, however, he could not attack until the roll was completed. When playing in Extra mode the character would move into the background and attack from there when doing a dodge technique. For example, in the previous edition the type of dodge technique the player was able to use was dictated on what mode he had chosen to play in. Instead, one plays the game as if you were playing in Advanced and Extra modes at the same time. For example, players no longer choose whether they wish to play in Advanced or Extra modes. However, KOF Evolution differs from Dream Match enough in gameplay areas to make it worth a look from owners of last year's edition. Now, from the look of this review thus far, KOF Evolution seems to be last year's edition with new backgrounds and new music, and I wouldn't argue against that idea. If you have played last year's version, only expect better backgrounds to be the lone graphical improvement over Dream Match. Of course, you may remember me saying practically the same thing about the characters in KOF Dream Match. Nevertheless, the characters look great with distinguishable fingers, folds in their clothing, and more. The characters look to be simply ripped from the original Neo Geo release with no modifications. The 2D character sprites didn't receive such a drastic makeover during the porting process compared to the backgrounds, however. During the fifth round the plane that was getting ready for a flight throughout the fight finishes it's taxi to the runway and takes off. Furthermore, almost all the backgrounds change between rounds and their are two versions of every background to boot! One of my favorites include a stage that takes place next to an airport runway. All of the backgrounds have been redone in polygons, look great, and have a very polished look to them to say the least. Those people that thought the backgrounds in KOF Dream Match were extremely pixelated don't have to worry about that in KOF Evolution. Surprisingly, among the biggest changes between KOF Evolution and Dream Match is the graphics.
