Review of “City of the Wolves”

The 1999 release of the last entry in the Fatal Fury series left fans eagerly awaiting a new installment, and Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves is here to reignite that passion. Long-time enthusiasts of the franchise will appreciate the contemporary twist on the beloved mechanics, while newcomers might find themselves captivated by its distinctive approach to combat, even if it’s somewhat limited in terms of additional content.

City of the Wolves stands apart from giants like Tekken 8 and Street Fighter 6 by focusing intensely on its core fighting experience rather than elaborate visuals or alternative game modes. It’s a pure fighting game crafted for those who cherish the intricate dance of skill and strategy. Players will find joy in mastering techniques that are universal across the roster, such as Just Defense and REV Blows, ensuring a sense of achievement as they delve into the gameplay.

While the multiplayer aspect could likely foster a thriving community due to the combat’s depth, the single-player experience might feel a bit lackluster. Without a compelling storyline or a variety of game modes, casual players could find themselves comparing it unfavorably to the more narrative-driven AAA fighting games. The enjoyment of City of the Wolves largely depends on what you expect going in; understanding that beforehand could lead to it being your top fighting game pick of the year.

Designing a contemporary fighting title is a tricky balancing act between satisfying hardcore players and inviting casual gamers. With City of the Wolves, SNK strikes this balance beautifully, offering a seamless experience that merges technical skill with straightforward fun.

The streamlined move lists make picking up a new character effortless, bypassing the exhaustive memorization required in other titles like Tekken. Although it might seem simplified, this approach doesn’t detract from its depth. The game’s charm lies in applying general combat techniques to various archetypes, allowing players to approach each fight tactically, similar to how one might engage with action RPGs like Dark Souls.

The thrill of gameplay emerges from mastering the game’s core mechanics such as REV Guard and executing perfect combos like backsteps, counters, and REV Blows. These features allow even newcomers to feel competent quickly, with perfectly timed moves providing a rewarding sense of accomplishment. Elements like the REV Gauge and S.P.G. inject an element of unpredictability into battles, maintaining fairness while keeping things exciting.

The game’s accessibility is enhanced by simplifying character-specific combos, making it inviting for newbies. The new Smart Style feature aims to simplify controls further, but given the game’s already simple inputs, this might feel overly simplistic at times, almost as if the game is doing the work for you.

When it comes to solo play, City of the Wolves forgoes a traditional campaign for an arcade mode and a unique Episodes of South Town mode. The latter is a creative spin, letting players navigate the familiar cityscape in nonlinear battles, upgrading characters along the way with RPG-style skills that add depth to gameplay.

That said, Episodes of South Town can sometimes feel like an embellished arcade mode without much linking individual campaigns or providing a truly organic exploration element. It’s clear the mode aims to add variety, but the execution may leave players wanting more.

Despite these single-player limitations, Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves is a robust experience where gameplay fundamentals shine brightly. The franchise’s revival has been executed with finesse by SNK, and fans can look forward to a promising future if subsequent titles continue to build on these solid foundations.

Related to this glowing review, Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves will be available on PlayStation 5, PC, and Xbox Series X|S starting April 24, 2025. Game Rant was provided with a PS5 download code to facilitate this review.