Killer Instinctlaunched in 1994 as the beginning of what has since become a beloved fighting game franchise, and practically all the series' identity was established with that first entry. The game mostly presented itself as a western twist on the 2D fighting game systems popularized by the likes ofStreet Fighter, but a bold approach to defense is what ended up truly settingKiller Instinctapart and influencing the entire genre for decades to come.
The earliest fighting games were extremely simplistic outings compared to the bombastic gameplay they are known for today, with atechnical oversight inStreet Fighter 2leading to combos. While games continued to capitalize on chaining attacks together in releases that followed, it wasn’t untilKiller Instinctthat a mechanic for prematurely ending an opponent’s combo became a true staple. By adding a sense of planning and nuance to what can easily become a chaotic and unpredictable combat loop, Combo Breaks likely managed to change the landscape of gaming itself in the long run.
Killer Instinct’s Unique Mechanics Iterated on the Simplicity of Early 2D Fighters
Games Before Killer Instinct Only Experimented with Reversals
Prior to 1994, no mainstream fighting games had a direct mechanic for breaking combos, meaning they were usually inescapable once a player was trapped in one.SF2had methods of playing around individual attacks, and the likes ofEternal Championson Sega Genesisoffered a unique feature known as Reversals with its own limited utility, butKiller Instinctwas the first to formalize an actual all-purpose Combo Breaker that altered the entire pace of the genre.
How the Implementation of Combo Breakers Complemented KI’s Mechanics
The basic structure ofKiller Instinctis centered around six buttons, with Quick, Medium, and Fierce levels of strength for both punches and kicks, respectively. These normals, plus traditional motion input special moves, can be used in conjunction in various pre-determined combo strings. Combo Openers, Auto filler moves, and Enders are classifications applied to moves that form the backbone of the relatively flexible system for the time. Linkers are further moves that can be placed between Autos, further rewarding skill over simple button mashing. To counteract this, a certain special move, specific to each character, can serve as aniconicKiller InstinctCombo Breakerif used while being hit. The strength of the button in the breaker input versus the attacker’s is used to determine whether it’s a success, according to this order:
Killer Instinct’s Combo Breakers Stand Out Even During a Time When They Have Become Ubiquitous
Enhancements Provided by Combo Breakers Reward Strategy in an Aggressive Combat Loop
On top of halting an opponent’s assault, Combo Breakers inKIalso provide the defender with three enhancements after being successfully executed. These include augmenting Juggle attacks to hit three times in a row, unique buffs to certain special move properties and frame data, depending on the character, and additional visual effects to combo Enders and Ultra Combo finishers for the sake of flair.
Many prevalent comeback mechanics have appeared in fighting games since, butKiller Instinctlaid the groundwork for the balance between all-out offense and powerful defensive systems that remains core to the genre in modern times. By basing Combo Breakers around correctly anticipating the strength of the opponent’s buttons,KIwas able to avoid the snowballing problems that similar systems would later lead to, such as thepowerful Rage inTekkenor match-shifting X-Factor inMvC3.
Systems That Have Taken Inspiration From Combo Breakers
After the idea of a dynamic counter mechanic was pioneered byKI,several prominent fighting game developersfollowed suit with similar takes. The defensive features from the following games could potentially be attributed to whatKiller Instinctstarted:
Killer Instinct (1994)
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Shadowy conglomerate Ultratech has organized a merciless fighting tournament of unprecedented scope and brutality. Lured by Ultratech’s promises or driven by their own motives, fighters from all over the world have gathered to compete, including a mysterious warrior monk, a disgraced heavyweight boxing champion, a convict made of living flame, and the reanimated skeleton of an ancient warrior.Who among them has a true Killer Instinct?Fight on!
