I know I'm resurrecting a dead thread but I felt like saying something here after seeing the KOF XIV trailer. This game has flaws but could have been saved. I believe there are only a few points that truly needed fixing.
1. System changes. I know that sounds like an overhaul but the only big problems with the system were Critical Counter, throws not being 1 frame, and Bugs (placed here cause I couldn't figure out anywhere else to put them). If you wanted to give big rewards for good reads, use Garou's Counter system, A juggle or long stun on a counterhit. Throws sucked in this game. And bugs are bugs. Fix those and the rest can be dealt with or even interesting. On to the next issue.
2. Limited movelists. Many of the Characters did not feel like they had enough tools, they felt like they were missing a tool or two from their set. Even if you were to be new to the series they felt like they should've had more.
3. The other issue that I felt made this game a failure is one that might be confusing for a little but bear with me, the other flaw I found with this game was naming it KOF, if it were a fresh IP with those mechanics (minus CC) and a 22 character roster people probably would have been more willing to give it a bit of a pass. But this was a KOF, even with bad games included they have a certain standard expected of them. Imagine a game with rolls, a chargeable blowback that can be combo'd into and out of (and becomes unblockable on full charge, and is still cancelable while charging [mindgames]), clashing, and universal counterattack, and NO CC. Imagine the cast as a set of fresh characters with some random story. Would you be willing to give that a try.
At the end of the day this game's goal was to reward good reads, and that it did. But the product as it stood fell flat, and I firmly believe It could have been fixed with the points I made here. After that it's mostly preferential, I would have preferred more super meter and more supers so on and so forth. But that's how it goes. I just posted my thoughts on XIV's reveal in the XIV thread as well. Here's to hoping that game turns out well