Review of “City of the Wolves”

After a nearly quarter-century hiatus, the Fatal Fury series makes its highly anticipated comeback with Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves. Long-time fans of the franchise’s intricate and signature combat mechanics will likely see this as a brilliant modernization of its predecessors. For those stepping into this universe for the first time, it presents a fresh fighting experience that stands out from the crowd, even if it doesn’t match up in terms of content richness found in some of its genre peers.

In terms of grandiosity, Fatal Frame: City of the Wolves doesn’t quite compete with the likes of Tekken 8 or Street Fighter 6. It doesn’t offer elaborate alternate modes, cinematic cutscenes, or graphically dazzling visuals. This game, at its core, is dedicated to the purist fighting game audience. It rewards strategic thinking and skillful execution much like classic arcade hits. The focus here is understanding techniques not bound to specific characters, which makes diving into its character lineup a fulfilling venture. Incorporating elements like Just Defense, REV Blows, and sharp counters, City of the Wolves introduces layers of gameplay that promise solid returns for players willing to master its fundamentals.

There’s a reasonable expectation that City of the Wolves’ multiplayer will enjoy a long-lasting scene, propelled by its deceptively rich combat system. On the flip side, however, its single-player offerings leave something to be desired, appearing a bit outdated and lackluster. Without a gripping story or diverse game modes, casual players might find it hard to stay engaged, especially when stacking it up against giants like Mortal Kombat or Street Fighter. Ultimately, whether you find joy in City of the Wolves largely hinges on aligning your expectations with what it offers. With the right mindset, it might just deliver one of your top fighting game experiences of the year.

Creating a modern fighting game requires walking a fine line between catering to hardcore enthusiasts and casual gamers who just want quick fun with friends. Viewed through this lens, SNK’s approach with City of the Wolves is commendable, striking a tasty balance between deep technical combat and no-fuss enjoyment.

Exploring the move list of any character in Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves reveals a clean and approachable experience, devoid of overly complex combo strings that rival short novels. This may initially seem overly streamlined compared to Tekken’s intricate character combat. Nevertheless, City of the Wolves holds its ground with depth in simplicity, where mastering character control organically emerges by applying universal combat mechanics across varied fighter archetypes, be it a brawny powerhouse or an agile attacker.

At times, the game feels more akin to a single-player action title than a typical fighting game. You could draw parallels to a game like Dark Souls; characters such as Tizoc resemble a slow, powerful greatsword, while Hokutomaru brings to mind the nimbleness of a rapier. The core mechanics transform and redefine engagement depending on the character you choose.

Essential game mechanics such as REV Guard, which facilitates maintaining distance while blocking attacks, play a pivotal role in City of the Wolves. Shifting between characters becomes a fluid exercise in creativity, not a daunting challenge to memorize lengthy combos. Understanding these mechanics is what sets you apart in skirmishes, turning experimentation into a rewarding venture rather than an intimidating one.

These elements are delightfully satisfying to master. Harnessing a blend of perfect blocks, skillful counters, deft backsteps, and strategic REV Blows within the game will have you feeling like a pro in no time. The game’s precise hitboxes amplify the thrill of narrowly dodged attacks, making every victory feel exhilarating. Added layers like the REV Gauge and S.P.G. infuse unpredictability into battles without compromising strategy or fairness.

While this combat framework is truly accessible, Smart Style’s simplified execution brings mixed feelings. Similar to Tekken 8’s Special Style, Smart Style provides an easy method to unleash powerful moves. But given City of the Wolves’ already straightforward button inputs, activating Smart Style might feel overly simplified to a fault, at times making the game feel as if it’s playing itself.

City of the Wolves doesn’t follow the conventional path with its single-player campaign. Instead, it presents a classic arcade mode, accompanied by the novel Episodes of South Town feature. This mode sets you loose in the iconic Fatal Fury cityscapes, engaging in nonlinear battles with one character at a time, leveling them up as you go. Upgrades span from simple buffs to deeper, RPG-like perks, offering a welcomed twist. Every unlocked skill boosts your playstyle flexibility, further emphasized by how they carry over to other characters.

Nevertheless, Episodes of South Town sometimes appear to be an extended arcade mode with extra frills. The disjointed nature of individual EOST campaigns seems like a missed opportunity for a richer narrative journey. And while you’re promised exploration through EOST, the reality boils down to menu navigation rather than true adventure. Within the fighting genre, the demand for comprehensive exploration systems is minimal, yet EOST’s presentation portrays a promise it doesn’t quite fulfill.

Despite these single-player gaps, Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves is a standout experience. While it might not boast the cinematic flair of some competitors, its robust core elements present strong reasons for returning to this revitalized classic. With SNK successfully modernizing the series, one can only anticipate more enhancements in potential sequels that amplify City of the Wolves’ definitive strengths.

Scheduled for release on PlayStation 5, PC, and Xbox Series X|S on April 24, 2025, Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves revitalizes the franchise with engaging gameplay while waiting to see how it will shape the future of the series.