Much to fans pleasure, it is. The new characters completely change
the way this game is played. Lin is a fantastic fighter, and the design continues the
shift towards a more wild and unrestrained style (and the same goes for the backgrounds,
including the incredible sandstorm in Egypt). He's a quick, early favorite of the new
crew, which is varied and fun. Seth and Vennessa are also included, exclusive to the home
ports in '99. The changes to the striker system (an extra fourth character that can be called into the fight on the fly) are major. Their attacks can now be linked with a standard combo, turning them into juggles and other brutal attacks. For a series that strives to maintain a hardcore audience, this is a change that makes the game easier for newer players. It's an odd switch, but the first time anyone pulls off a round ending combo heading well into the double digits, they'll forget they were ever complaining.
There's also an extra bonus here. Depending on which combatant is selected as the striker, you're also presented with a second choice. Sometimes it's an extra version of the same fighter, the next choice may be something from a different game all together. This will likely be the final time anyone from the obscure beat-em-ups Burning Fight and Robo Army ever find their way into a game.
Other changes are not as blunt or as obvious. The special meters
stay roughly the same (though now carry over from fighter to fighter), though instead of
being able to power-up into an offensive/defensive flurry, you can use these as easier
counters and other types of maneuvers. The sidestep dash has also reverted back to the
actually useful roll evade. This is one of those years that only the die-hard fans will truly appreciate the difference. The inside characters most people won't recognize in the Striker system is a fantastic addition. The new characters also make for a refreshing change, and things would continue on this path, adding in bizarre, goofy, and challenging to learn characters. This is probably the last "true" KOF for a while.
