Review of “City of the Wolves”

It’s been a long wait since the last Fatal Fury game graced our screens back in 1999, but now, Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves is finally making its comeback. Die-hard fans of the series’ intricate mechanics will find this new entry to be a well-deserved modern touch-up. For newcomers, City of the Wolves offers a fresh and unique combat experience that sets it apart from the staple fighting franchises, even though its content might feel somewhat limited.

While it might not boast the polished alternate modes, cinematic cutscenes, or dazzling graphics of heavyweights like Tekken 8 or Street Fighter 6, City of the Wolves is laser-focused on delivering a pure fighting game experience. The game’s mechanics demand quick reflexes and mastery, reminiscent of classic arcade titles. The emphasis on non-character-specific techniques makes it easy to dive into the game’s roster and feel accomplished as you adapt to its rewarding mechanics, such as Just Defense, REV Blows, and counters.

While there’s a good chance that the multiplayer scene for City of the Wolves will thrive thanks to its deeply engaging combat mechanics, its single-player offerings may feel a bit dated. With little narrative depth or alternative game modes, the game could leave casual players feeling a bit let down, especially when compared to mainstream giants like Mortal Kombat or Street Fighter. Your enjoyment of City of the Wolves will largely depend on having the right expectations from the get-go. For those who know what they’re getting into, this could easily be the highlight fighting game of the year.

Creating a fighting game for today’s audience is no small feat. Developers often find themselves trying to satisfy both hardcore competitors and laid-back players who just want some casual fun. In this context, SNK seems to have struck a balance with City of the Wolves, offering a blend of technical craftsmanship and sheer excitement.

Checking out the moves of any character in Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves is a straightforward affair. You won’t face daunting lists of intricate combos to master. Fans of games like Tekken, which can take a deep dive to fully learn each character, might find this simplicity a bit off-putting. However, there’s still depth within City of the Wolves. It’s more about leveraging overall combat mechanics rather than pulling off flashy, over-the-top attacks. This makes learning a new character feel achievable and strategic, often echoing a single-player action adventure rather than a pure fighting game.

For instance, if you drew a parallel to something like Dark Souls, a character such as Tizoc might be akin to wielding a hefty greatsword, whereas Hokutomaru might resemble a nimble rapier. While the button combinations remain largely similar, the differences in range and speed transform the gameplay experience.

The essence of City of the Wolves’ gameplay lies in mastering techniques like REV Guard, which emphasizes defensive play. This seamless execution across various characters lends the game an air of sophistication, allowing players to switch fighters without feeling overwhelmed. The fun comes from learning how these mechanics adapt between different characters rather than from memorizing intricate combos.

And boy, is it satisfying to pull off these moves. Whether it’s a perfect block, a well-timed counter, or a quick REV Blow, each successful maneuver makes you feel like you’re on top of your game. The precision in hitboxes ensures that pulling off a dodge or landing the final blow brings a thrill like no other. Features like the REV Gauge keep the dynamics unpredictable and strategic.

Moreover, the simplified control scheme, especially with character-specific moves, makes the game more inviting for newcomers. This ease of access is reflected through the new Smart Style feature, which simplifies high-level moves akin to Tekken 8’s Special Style. However, given that City of the Wolves already sports straightforward inputs, this feature might come off as overly simplifying things.

Moving on to single-player content, City of the Wolves doesn’t offer a traditional campaign. Instead, players can venture into the arcade mode or try Episodes of South Town—a creative take that places you in the heart of South Town. This mode guides players through a series of battles set in a non-linear path, spicing things up with RPG elements like stat boosts and special skills. These mechanics breathe life into the single-player mode, giving you the flexibility to enhance characters to better fit your style.

Still, Episodes of South Town might feel more like a stretched-out arcade mode with extra flair rather than a narrative-driven journey. The campaigns aren’t deeply connected, missing out on a more ambitious storyline. While the game promises exploration, it mostly involves navigating menus rather than traversing the city.

Despite these single-player hiccups, Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves remains a stellar title. It may not boast the cinematic polish of its peers, but its rock-solid fundamentals more than compensate. SNK has effectively brought this beloved franchise into the present, and there’s hope that future installments will only build on the strengths established in City of the Wolves.

For those eager to dive in, Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves will be available on PlayStation 5, PC, and Xbox Series X|S from April 24, 2025. A PS5 download code was provided for this review by Game Rant.