Killer Instinct: Season 2 is available now

Microsoft Studios and developer Iron Galaxy announced that Killer Instinct: Season 2 is available worldwide starting today, the 15th of October, exclusively on Xbox One. According to the announcement, the second season of Killer Instinct will contain new features, customizations and content for both the single player and the multiplayer modes.

According to the developers, Ultratech, the in-game company that hosts the Killer Instinct tournaments will bring fans two characters that they have been requesting for a long time and will upgrade the interface and improve visual fidelity across the game. In Killer Instinct: Season 2, the developers made it easier for new players to challenge opponents and customize their characters, while preserving the classic experience of the game.

The enhancements that are announced for Killer Instinct: Season 2 include, for starters, eight new fighters, both original characters from the arcade franchise this title is based off and new ones. Besides fan favorite characters TJ Combo and Maya, you will be able to play as Riptor, the cybernetic dinosaur, or Cinder. The new characters arrive in Killer Instinct: Season 2 include an ancient Babylonian sorcerer and an avenging ghost among others. Besides the character updates, Iron Galaxy announced that the game will benefit of an improved interface, that will feature faster character access, better stat tracking and a new experience system.

Other features included with Killer Instinct: Season 2 are the addition of new techniques and abilities to the Season 1 cast in order to re-balance them. Also, the combo system has been enhanced and a new option called “Aerial Capture” was introduced, allowing characters to catch an opponent in the air and slam them back to the ground. Last, but not least, Iron Galaxy included a brand new progression system in the game. Players of Killer Instinct: Season 2 will not be able earn items like costumes or different accessories much faster than before. According to the developer, all individual characters now have levels in addition to the overall player level.

Killer Instinct was originally released as a free game demo (still available), including all the game modes, but only one playable character, which rotates on a regular basis. According to the developer, this week, as Killer Instinct: Season 2 launches, the free playable fighter is fan-favorite TJ Combo. He will be joined by Maya, a monster hunter that wields two ancient daggers.

If you prefer the full Killer Instinct experience, there are several packs you can purchase. First of all, there’s the Ultra Edition, which includes all eight Killer Instinct: Season 2 fighters. You will get TJ Combo and Maya from the start and the other fighters will be released on a monthly basis starting November. This edition also includes 16 accessory sets and eight exclusive costumes. You will also get Killer Instinct 2 Classic, which is a port of the 1996 arcade game, with full multiplayer support over Xbox Live. The Ultra Edition, which, in addition to all the features above, offer buyers early access to characters and customization items, costs $39.99. The alternative to this edition is the Killer Instinct: Season 2 Combo Breaker Pack, which only offers the eight characters, rolling out the same way as in Ultra edition. This version costs significantly less: $19.99. Those of you who don’t want to buy these special editions can purchase the characters individually, for $4.99 each, once they are released.