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The Rhythm of Fighters

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The Rhythm of Fighters is a free-to-play music-based video game developed by Bandai Namco Studios and published by SNK for iOS and Android. It was released on June 24, 2014 and removed from app stores on July 15, 2015.[1] In the game, the player controls a fighter and taps the screen to attack a rival. Depending on the character chosen, a different musical theme would be used. Additionally, the player can earn experience by defeating enemies similar to role-playing video games.

The Rhythm of Fighters
Logo of the game featuring Kyo Kusanagi
Developer(s)SNK Playmore
Bandai Namco Studios
Publisher(s)SNK Playmore
Platform(s)Android, iOS
ReleaseJune 24, 2014 - July 15, 2015
Genre(s)Rhythm game
Mode(s)Single-player

SNK conceptualized this game as a mix of different gaming genres with music being the focus. The game received average scores by video games journalists. While the music and fighting system has been praised, the use of downloadable content (DLC) was criticized for making the complete package too expensive during the time that The Rhythm of Fighters was a paid game. Nevertheless, SNK found that the title had considerable worldwide downloads, with the DLC content being well received.

Gameplay

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Kyo Kusanagi attacking Terry Bogard after the player uses the tap required.

The game combines elements from rhythm games, fighting games and role-playing games. The player is given a character from SNK franchises such as The King of Fighters and Fatal Fury. The player can have their fighter character attack enemies by beat tapping: tapping the handheld device's touch screen in synchronization with the music. Performing different tappings, the characters can execute normal attacks, combos, special moves or their strongest techniques. Both fighters are given health bars during combat. The winning character can level up and expand their strength. The game has a total of 14 musical tracks that can be unlocked during play; certain musical themes appear as downloadable content (DLC).[2] Players are given different themes depending on the characters they use: while using Geese Howard the theme is "Soy Sauce to Geese", Geese's most recurring theme from Fatal Fury while Kyo Kusanagi is presented with "Tears", his theme song from The King of Fighters '99.[3]

The initial cast is composed of Kyo, Athena Asamiya and Ryo Sakazaki. Additional characters like Iori Yagami and Terry Bogard can be unlocked through downloadable content.[4]

Development

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The SNK Playmore development team had a concept to create a new video game genre by combining fighting game elements and music genre themes together. While their games were known for story and gameplay, SNK noticed their fans also enjoyed the background music themes composed for their titles. Originally a paid game, SNK turned The Rhythm of Fighters into a free-to-play game to keep consistency with Metal Slug Defense, another free game, and to avoid issues with their fanbase. Multiple easter eggs were put in the game to please returning fans, such as how the music changes with in-game commands.[3]

On February 14, 2014, SNK trademarked the title "The Rhythm of Fighters".[5] The game was first announced by SNK Playmore in June 2014.[6] The first form of downloadable content became available in July under the form of four new tracks based on Fatal Fury.[7] This was followed by eight more tracks in the same month: four tracks from The King of Fighters '97 and four tracks from Metal Slug Defense.[8] In July, SNK added new tracks from The King of Fighters '99 and Samurai Shodown II.[9] In September 2014 the game became free-to-play.[10] It was removed from app stores on July 15, 2015.[1]

Reception

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Shortly after its release, SNK noticed that the game was being downloaded across many world regions. The DLC for Fatal Fury Special and Metal Slug Defense theme songs were also popular.[3] Google Play Store recorded more than 1 million downloads by July 2015.[15] In 2014, The Guardian listed it as one of the best android games for its mixture genres.[16] While Kotaku noted they liked seeing this KOF spin-off, people were instead looking forward to another main installment in the franchise as The King of Fighters XIII had been released years ago Rhythm.[17]

Destructoid gave the game a 7 out of 10, praising its low initial price and the use of music, but noted that the game suffered from the "unfortunate trappings of the mobile platform".[4] The same score was given by Pocket Gamer UK which stated that it was not only for SNK fans but suitable for general players. The reviewer expressed surprise with the gameplay system's entertaining modes but felt that it was not unique.[12] Touch Arcade noted that "It's not the most high-effort product, and the initial buy-in only gets you about half the content, but I still had a really good time with The Rhythm of Fighters" and gave it a 3.5 out of 5. The reviewer felt there were some lag issues during his playthrough on his iPhone 5S which might make other ports superior in comparison.[13] Critics in general found the price for the entire game too expensive based on the use of DLC.[13][4][12] 148apps was harsher in the terms of music employed during most of the game, finding it unfitting. Nevertheless, the reviewer praised the fighting system based on how the player's actions create a fight similar to games developed from the franchise.[18] In contrast to most other reviews, Hyper felt that the DLC was reasonably priced.[19] Multiplayer.it called the game simple and fun but criticized the music selection.[14][11]

References

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  1. ^ a b "The Rhythm of Fighters Will No Longer Be Available From July 15th". Siliconera. 14 July 2015. Retrieved September 17, 2018.
  2. ^ "The Rhythm of Fighters Hits The Beat With SNK Nostalgia". Siliconera. 26 June 2014. Retrieved September 17, 2018.
  3. ^ a b c "How The Rhythm of Fighters Came To Be And Why It Changed To Free-To-Play". Siliconera. 25 September 2014. Retrieved September 17, 2018.
  4. ^ a b c d "Review: The Rhythm of Fighters". Destructoid. Retrieved September 17, 2018.
  5. ^ "商願2014-13027". Japan trademark Bureau. Retrieved September 17, 2018.
  6. ^ "The Rhythm of Fighters Mixes The King of Fighters With Music". Siliconera. 20 June 2014. Retrieved September 17, 2018.
  7. ^ "SNK's Rhythm of Fighters Adds Fatal Fury Music To Its Tracklist". Siliconera. 11 July 2014. Retrieved September 17, 2018.
  8. ^ "SNK's The Rhythm of Fighters Adds King of Fighters '97 Music DLC". Siliconera. 29 July 2014. Retrieved September 17, 2018.
  9. ^ "News". SNK. Retrieved September 17, 2018.
  10. ^ "SNK Playmore's The Rhythm of Fighters Goes Free-to-Play on Android". Shoryuken. Retrieved September 17, 2018.
  11. ^ a b "The Rhythm of Fighters for iPhone/iPad Reviews". Metacritic. Fandom. Retrieved 16 April 2023.
  12. ^ a b c "The Rhythm of Fighters". Pocket Gamer. 30 June 2014. Retrieved September 17, 2018.
  13. ^ a b c "'The Rhythm of Fighters' Review – Fatal Footwork With Some Cool Cool Tunes". Touch Arcade. July 2014. Retrieved September 17, 2018.
  14. ^ a b Pugliese, Tommaso (3 July 2014). "This is the rhythm of the fight". Multiplayer.it (in Italian). NetAddiction Srl. Retrieved 16 April 2023.
  15. ^ "SNK Playmore to remove 'The Rhythm of Fighters' game from Play Store". Android Community. 14 July 2015. Retrieved September 18, 2018.
  16. ^ "20 best Android apps and games this week". The Guardian. Retrieved August 15, 2019.
  17. ^ "We Didn't Ask for This King of Fighters Music Game". Kotaku. 20 June 2014. Retrieved August 15, 2019.
  18. ^ "The Rhythm of Fighters Review". 1478apps. Retrieved September 17, 2018.
  19. ^ "The Rhythm of Fighters Review". Hyper: Australasia's Only Independent Games Mag (31). Next Publishing Pty Ltd: 81. 2014. ISSN 1320-7458.
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