The King of Fighters: Kyo

About

The King of Fighters: Kyo blends visual novel storytelling with RPG mechanics and beat-em-up combat. Set between the 1996 and 1997 tournaments, it follows Kyo as he travels from Osaka to international locations, engaging in dialogue, completing side missions, and facing foes in first-person brawls. The narrative ties into the series’ Orochi lore and Kyo’s rivalry with Iori Yagami, offering branching interactions and a mix of exploration and action. Developed by Yumekobo in 1998, the game features art by Masato Natsumoto, known for the King of Fighters manga. It resurfaced as a PSN Classic in 2007 and gained an unofficial Spanish translation in 2013. While its niche blend of genres and dated presentation limit broad appeal, longtime series fans appreciate its deep lore integration and character cameos. The PlayStation 3 and PSP ports keep it accessible for retro enthusiasts.

Storyline

The game takes place 11 months after the '96 tournament, and covers the months prior to the '97 tournament and the tournament itself from an RPG-like point of view. You control Kyo, and go around the world (starting in your home, Osaka and eventually going to places like Mexico and California) advancing a plot line related to the Orochi storyline and your eternal enemy, Iori Yagami, by interacting with other characters from the series, solving subquests and winning fights viewed from a first-person perspective.