When comparing Killer Instinct vs Gears of War: Ultimate Edition, the Slant community recommends Killer Instinct for most people. In the question“What are the best digital AAA PC games available on the Windows Store?” Killer Instinct is ranked 4th while Gears of War: Ultimate Edition is ranked 5th. The most important reason people chose Killer Instinct is:
The game runs well on of spec hardware, meaning there are no dropped frames or other issues if using what the recommended specs for the game are. For being a port there can often be issues with performance, luckily there do not seem to be any here. There are some options available to adjust the games graphics settings, though most are just on off toggles for things like anti-aliasing. The game is also tied to framerate and so is capped at 60fps, though this is often found on fighters so online play is at a level experience for all.
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Pros
Pro Well optimized for PC
The game runs well on of spec hardware, meaning there are no dropped frames or other issues if using what the recommended specs for the game are. For being a port there can often be issues with performance, luckily there do not seem to be any here. There are some options available to adjust the games graphics settings, though most are just on off toggles for things like anti-aliasing. The game is also tied to framerate and so is capped at 60fps, though this is often found on fighters so online play is at a level experience for all.
Pro Good mix of gameplay options
There is a full story mode in the game for those that would like the learn the background and story of each character. There is also a mode called shadow lab, which allows the player to unlock points and bonuses through a shadow fighter styled after their own fights in this mode. The better the learned character is the more one can earn. Lastly there is a Dojo area for those that would like to practice with specific characters.
Playing through all three of these modes should offer a good bit of content that can last the player for quite a while, which is great for longevity of the game.
Pro Great graphics
The game looks quite good, with well modeled characters and stages, making for a great looking game that shows a lot of polish in the graphics department.
Pro Supports local multiplayer
For those that would like to play with friends or family on one screen in the same location, the game does support local multiplayer. This is convenient for when you want to play VS but are unable or unwilling to connect to the internet.
Pro Free to play
The game is actually free to download and play, though character choice is limited (they do get rotated though so you can try out different ones with time). This makes for a really convenient way to find out if the game is to the players liking or if it will run well on their system. Of course there is a season pass available for those that would like access to all of the content for a price.
Pro Easy to find opponents in mutliplayer
The online matchmaking in the game works quite well as it will find opponents within a minute, often within a few seconds. This may be due to the game just getting launched on PC, but is a good sign that the netcode works well.
Pro HUD can be easily repositioned
There is a setting in the game that allows users to change the placement of the heads up display. This is convenient for those that may not like the default placement.
Pro Nice improvement in graphics over original console release
The game has been cleaned up for PC and optimized. It can be played at 1080p at 30fps, all while performing smoother than it did on s=console. So for those that have not played the game before this would be the definitive version, and for those that have, if they would like to experience the game again in a way that improves over the original, the PC version is a good choice.
Pro Fun cover system thanks to smart AI
The cover system is the main mechanic in this game, and it is something that needs to be used often thanks to the smart AI of enemies. Some will flank you while others may come running straight at you, which means you need to balance where and when to use the system in order to outsmart the enemies surrounding you.
Pro Additional content over original PC release
There are 5 extra levels added to the game (that were not in the original PC release) as well as the addition of two new multiplayer modes (Team Deathmatch, King of the Hill). The 5 campaigns add to the story of the game and have one of the best action sequences to be found. The two new multiplayer modes add to the replayability, as these modes will mot likely feature many players for now to go up against being that they are new to anyone on PC.
Pro Fun multiplayer
One of the best aspects of the game has always been the multiplayer modes. Players will have a lot to experience here, especially when considering there are two new modes. The gameplay in multiplayer plays at 60fps and features some of the most fun arcade third person shooting out there thanks to the great cover mechanics and overly powerful and over the top guns.
Pro Well told story
Every aspect of the game helps to flesh out the story being told in Gear of War. Objectives and environment plays a big role here as the player learns more and more as they progress, but not though overly explanation based cut-scenes but through the game itself. Each objective the player needs to complete brings them a bit further in the story and in understanding why what is happening. This helps to make the player feel more involved, especially when expanded upon through well crafted environments. While the world in the game may be outlandish, it feel believable because it has all been presented well to the player.
Cons
Con Low amount of resolution options
While all the major resolutions are supported, those that use a more niche screen size may have issue finding a size to match 1:1.
Con Direct input seems to be broken or unsuported
While there is a blurb at the bottom of the start screen of the game stating that some arcade controllers are supported, players have reported issue with getting any direct input fight stick working with the game. Sadly there has been no comment about this from the devs nor any date for when they are going to support other sticks.
Con No mouse
It can be easy to see that this was a console port as when the game is booted up there is no mouse icon. Users will need to use their keyboard or a controller to control the menus.
Con Unbalanced multiplayer weapons
most people will be playing with a shotgun as it is too powerful when compared to other weapons and offers the best range and power for the type of cover gameplay this game offers. Sniper rifles often are overpowered as well, which can make for mismatched gameplay in multiplayer for those that like to use different weapons over a shotgun or sniper rifle.
Con Singular button for multiple moves causes some issue
There is one button that is assigned many different moves in the game such as rolling, running, vaulting or just moving from one cover to the next. The way this is designed means that the player needs to be close to an area where this button will do a certain move, the trouble being that the game may not be precise in this as one move may happen that was not the intended. This can easily cause trouble when in the middle of a hectic firefight, which can be very frustrating.