KOF 2002 UM is the 2nd title in the UM Series and a fully upgraded ver. of KOF 2002, a masterpiece of the KOF Series deserving its place of honor alongside KOF ’98. Based on THE NESTS CHRONICLES, 2002 UM includes the most characters of any title in the KOF Series, and fighting game history!
Players praise the game's responsive and fluid controls, which allow them to precisely execute special moves and combos. Reviewers describe the overall gameplay as smooth and fast-paced, creating an enjoyable and challenging fighting experience.
The roster boasts an impressive 66 playable characters, each with unique fighting styles and movesets. Reviewers note that the character balance is well-tuned, with no single fighter deemed overpowered. This encourages players to experiment with different team compositions to find their preferred playstyle.
Each character possesses a deep pool of special moves, super moves, and hidden techniques, allowing players to craft intricate combo strings and unique strategies. Reviewers appreciate the game's flexibility, as the ability to cancel certain moves into others adds to the advanced combo potential.
Compared to the original 2002 version, this Unlimited Match edition features a number of mechanical upgrades and refinements. These include improved MAX Mode mechanics, new and reintroduced special moves, and an overall rebalancing of the gameplay systems. Reviewers highlight these enhancements as significant improvements that make the game feel more polished and satisfying to play.
In addition to the core fighting experience, the game offers a robust set of offline game modes. These include a Challenge Mode with various difficulty levels, a Practice Mode for honing combos, and an Endless Mode for endurance tests against the CPU. The wealth of content and modes provides ample opportunity for solo players to improve their skills.