Review of “City of the Wolves”

After a lengthy hiatus stretching back to 1999, the Fatal Fury series makes a triumphant return with Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves. Fans of the classic Fatal Frame mechanics will likely find this latest offering a refreshing update. Even newcomers might appreciate this distinctive combat simulator, which sets itself apart from the familiar landscape of popular fighting games, though it might be found wanting in terms of extensive content.

When it comes to matching up against titles like Tekken 8 or Street Fighter 6, City of the Wolves takes a different approach. It might not overwhelm you with a myriad of alternate modes, high-definition cutscenes, or dazzling visuals, but what it does present is a pure fighting experience. It’s crafted with the true fighting game enthusiast in mind, akin to legendary arcade classics that reward skillful players. The emphasis here is on universal techniques, allowing players to feel adept as they engage with the diverse roster. Whether you’re mastering the art of Just Defense, timing REV Blows, or executing counters, there’s a depth to the gameplay that’s gratifying for those who take the time to master it.

The multiplayer scene for City of the Wolves holds great potential, thanks to its intricate combat system. On the flip side, the solo modes don’t shine as brightly. Without a strong narrative or various alternate modes, casual players might find themselves missing the allure of titles like Mortal Kombat or Street Fighter. The level of enjoyment largely depends on your initial expectations. With the right mindset, City of the Wolves could easily be the standout fighting game of your year.

Drawing players in is no simple task for fighting game developers, who often need to balance engaging hardcore players with being approachable for casual gamers. SNK manages to walk this fine line with City of the Wolves, combining technical challenges with straightforward enjoyment.

Character move lists are surprisingly accessible. Without the overwhelming complexity of games like Tekken, players can quickly get to grips with the available options without laboriously learning endless combos. While some may view this as a simplification, the game maintains depth where it matters, leveraging broad combat mechanics rather than individual character combinations. This versatility means the game sometimes feels akin to an action RPG, with players choosing between different character archetypes based on their play style.

Core game mechanics, such as REV Guard, take center stage in defining gameplay, urging players to master skills over character-specific strategies. This approach makes switching characters more approachable, turning experimentation into an exciting challenge rather than a daunting hurdle.

The sense of achievement from pulling off perfect counters, timed dodges, and precise attacks is immensely rewarding. Introduced dynamics like the REV Gauge and S.P.G. keep the unpredictability of battles high while preserving fairness and strategic elements.

The game’s accessibility is further enhanced by simplified combos and special moves. Though not automatically easy, mastering these moves offers a welcoming gateway for new players. The Smart Style control scheme, akin to Tekken 8’s Special Style, simplifies input even more. However, given the already straightforward controls, this may sometimes feel overly simplified, coasting near auto-pilot territory.

In City of the Wolves, the single-player experience feels reminiscent of an extended arcade mode, with its more ambitious element being the Episodes of South Town. This mode lets players delve into the sprawling metropolis of South Town, taking on a series of battles with character upgrades along the way. These RPG-like elements provide valuable depth, enabling players to tailor their skills and playstyles effectively.

Despite offering such possibilities, Episodes of South Town occasionally feel like an embellished extension of arcade mode, lacking cohesive narratives across characters and falling short on delivering the in-depth storytelling many might crave. The allure of “exploring” is misleading, reduced mostly to navigating menus instead of a free-roaming experience.

Despite these shortcomings in single-player content, Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves excels where it matters—gameplay fundamentals. While it might not match the visual flair or story depth of modern contenders, SNK’s commitment to providing solid, engaging fighting mechanics is both evident and commendable. As the series rekindles its flame, there are high hopes for future installments to capitalize on their strengths and further elevate the franchise.

Coming to PlayStation 5, PC, and Xbox Series X|S on April 24, 2025, Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves offers a fresh yet familiar fighting experience for longtime fans and new players alike, proving that there’s still plenty of life left in this storied franchise.