Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves Review – Wolf’s Rain

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Following titles like “Project Justice,” “Marvel vs. Capcom 2,” “Soulcalibur,” and others, “Garou: Mark of the Wolves” wasn’t just a refreshing change – it was a transformative experience. The 2D sprite-based characters and backdrops were visually stunning, yet they concealed a deep combat system that transcended memorizing combos or using Special Moves. The T.O.P. Gauge added an extra strategic element; Just Defend encouraged patience and mental duels with opponents; and most impressively, the roster felt evenly balanced from top to bottom.

After it appeared that a sequel wouldn’t happen, SNK surprised us all with “Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves“. It’s been a while in the making, and while the game’s traditional elements might seem transformed due to its fully 3D graphics and the introduction of the REV system, there are enough similarities to keep hardcore fans engaged. However, the overall product could benefit from some refinement.

In addition to the existing 3D models, SNK incorporated a delicate layer of shading that enhances the overall powerful yet sleek visual effects. Each classic character, such as Rock, Terry, Gato, and Kain (who is playable for the first time), also has a satisfying control feel.

In terms of narrative, the game titled “City of the Wolves” revisits South Town, introducing a puzzling being as the catalyst for the King of Fighters tournament. The new episodes within South Town mode present unique storylines for each character. Terry Bogard is probing whispers about Geese Howard’s spirit, while Rock Howard, now mentored by Kain R. Heinlein, his uncle, is engaged in a struggle to protect his mother. Similar to the World Tour mode of “Street Fighter 6“, you traverse various cities and engage in fights against opponents, which not only enhances your maximum health but also boosts your damage output as well.

As you advance, you’ll unlock the S.P.G. Gauge, formerly known as the T.O.P. Gauge. This allows for the equipping of numerous skills to enhance your character, such as health bonuses, attack power-ups, and so on. The streamlined mechanics work well, and the AI provides a challenging fight (more details later). However, the overall aesthetic could use some improvement. While I don’t expect full 3D exploration of South Town, something more engaging than the generic flat maps and bland dialogue boxes would be appreciated.

To enrich the experience, let’s introduce more diverse adversaries too. Sometimes, it seemed like I was battling the same trio of non-player characters amidst the crucial storyline fights. However, even though they can be tough, new and unexpected combatants really ramp up the excitement.

The characters in this game are visually stunning, with 3D models that already impress, enhanced further by a delicate touch of shading that contributes to the game’s overall dynamic yet neat visual effects. Notably, all the iconic fighters, such as Rock, Terry, Gato, and Kain (making his debut), handle wonderfully in play. I found myself particularly enjoying using Preecha, one of the new additions, due to her intense close-quarters Muay Thai style (although her anti-air moves could benefit from some fine-tuning).

The settings are filled with intricate details and smoothly animated elements, although I’m hesitant about the two-plane stages. To clarify, this was a game mode in “Real Bout Fatal Fury 2: The Newcomers,” but switching between the foreground and background of a stage to fight feels unusual. It wasn’t a central aspect, fortunately, functioning more as a secondary feature rather than a crucial element.

It appears that problems related to reading player inputs, which were an issue during the beta testing, are persisting. Consequently, certain commands may not function as intended or result in unexpected moves being performed.

In addition to episodes in South Town, there’s the Arcade Mode and single-player missions. The Arcade Mode is essentially fighting through eight opponents to be the ultimate champion, complete with cutscenes that resemble comic book panels. However, the excitement can sometimes be diminished due to the AI’s aggressive input reading. It seems like almost every move you make is blocked or countered, particularly from Stage 3 onwards. This issue also arises in EOST mode to some extent, but it feels more pronounced in Arcade Mode.

As a devoted fan, I must confess, the most intriguing query that arises is the sensation of actual combat. Some maneuvers felt uncannily familiar, like reuniting with long-lost moves, their execution as graceful as ever. Yet, it’s not just about Defending, Counterattacks, and the S.P.G.; the REV system introduces an entirely new strategic dimension to the entire experience.

When the S.P.G mode is activated, it enables powerful REV Blows, which let you deflect incoming attacks and retaliate with forceful strikes (alongside granting access to the destructive Hidden Gear when your Super bar gauges are both full). Additionally, you can combine REV Arts – enhanced versions of standard Special Moves – using REV Accel or protect yourself from chip damage caused by special moves with REV Guard (in case you’re unsure about using a regular defense). However, keep in mind that utilizing these REV moves will lead to the REV Gauge overheating, making your guard vulnerable and allowing opponents to break through until it cools back down.

As a fan, I’m absolutely thrilled about the latest additions to Just Defends and Hyper Defends in my favorite game. These features not only strengthen Garou’s defensive foundations but also strategically manage cooldowns. The Guard Cancel feature, allowing me to transition seamlessly into other moves, keeps the attack going strong. Moreover, the ability to break special moves adds an extra dimension to gameplay, especially when it comes to positioning the S.P.G. Gauge effectively.

Deciding between a powerful opening or a dramatic comeback at the end of the round is a given, but the strategic depth doesn’t stop there. Mastering when to use REV Arts and REV Accel, learning to bait my opponents, and exploiting their tendencies all contribute to some nail-bitingly exciting battles.

This game has a steep learning curve, but it’s enjoyable once you get the hang of it. However, problems with responsiveness in player inputs, which were present during beta testing, seem to persist. This means that some actions may not work as intended or unexpected moves might occur. While it’s not overly problematic, there are situations where it becomes noticeable and feels quite uncomfortable.

Playing this game is enjoyable due to its unique characters and combat system. While some major problems need fixing, it provides a strong gameplay structure with lots of detail, particularly because each character has their own intricate and individual style.

Despite not being able to delve deeply into online gameplay yet, the matches I played demonstrated robust netcode, remarkably stable even with latency ranging from 150 to 180 ms. Matchmaking was surprisingly swift, considering the relatively low number of players before launch. However, it’s advisable to wait until the official release for a comprehensive evaluation of performance. The user interface could use some improvements, with small text and less-than-ideal navigation being areas that require attention.

As a passionate gaming enthusiast, I can’t help but recommend diving into the world of Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves. Even with its rough edges and an initially basic Story Mode, it’s a refreshing change from the ongoing adventures in Street Fighter 6 or the hype surrounding Tekken 8. The characters and combat system are what truly make this game shine, offering a unique experience despite some areas that need refinement.

Despite the evolution of these once novice fighters into established series regulars, there’s something comfortingly familiar about them all. The gameplay loop is solid, with a depth that keeps you engaged, especially considering how nuanced and distinct each fighter is. It’s a bittersweet journey, but one definitely worth embarking on.

A piece of me yearns for the nostalgic charm of the pixelated graphics and retro ambiance from the past, but currently, “City of the Wolves” stands as a robust extension of the series, with potential to establish its unique identity with additional backing and refinement.

This game was reviewed on PS5.

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2025-04-21 10:12