The world of fighting games is about to be reignited with the highly anticipated release of Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves, a title that has fans and gaming enthusiasts buzzing with excitement. Developed and published by SNK, this game marks the first entry in the Fatal Fury series in 26 years, following the cult classic Garou: Mark of the Wolves from 1999. Scheduled for release on April 24, 2025, for platforms including PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, and Xbox Series X/S, City of the Wolves promises to blend nostalgic elements with cutting-edge innovations, creating a masterpiece worthy of its lineage. Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra – A Journey into Heroism and War
A Legacy Reignited
Fatal Fury is a name synonymous with the golden era of fighting games, and City of the Wolves seeks to honor that legacy while pushing boundaries. Directed by Hayato Konya, the game’s development harnesses the power of Unreal Engine 4, delivering stunning 2.5D visuals that strike a balance between classic design and modern aesthetics. The return of familiar characters alongside new faces ensures that both veteran players and newcomers find a reason to dive into this world of high-stakes combat.
Innovative Gameplay Mechanics
At its core, Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves retains the 2D fighting mechanics that have defined the series. However, it introduces a plethora of innovative features to elevate the gameplay experience. The Selective Potential Gear (S.P.G.) system, an evolved version of the T.O.P. system from Mark of the Wolves, allows players to strategically enhance their combat capabilities. The iconic "Just Defense" mechanic makes a comeback with a new Hyper Defense variant, ensuring thrilling defensive plays even against multi-hit attacks.
Super attacks have been revamped with the introduction of Gear attacks:
- Ignition Gear: A powerful move that consumes one meter.
- Redline Gear: A devastating attack that requires both meters.
- Hidden Gear: The ultimate move, activated when both meters are full and the S.P.G. is active.
A standout addition is the Rev System, a game-changer that introduces new tactical dimensions. Players can utilize:
- Rev Arts for enhanced special moves.
- Rev Blow to create distance from opponents.
- Rev Accel to chain attacks into impressive combos.
- Rev Guard to push opponents back during an attack.
However, the strategic depth lies in managing the Rev Gauge, which, when full, triggers an Overheat state. In this state, Rev abilities are temporarily disabled, adding a risk-reward element that tests a player’s adaptability.
For accessibility, the game offers two control schemes:
- Arcade Style: Traditional controls for seasoned players.
- Smart Style: Simplified controls for newcomers, allowing basic moves and combos with ease, albeit with some limitations.
Modes of Play
City of the Wolves goes beyond standard arcade battles, introducing a single-player experience titled "Episodes of South Town." This mode incorporates RPG elements, where players navigate South Town, undertake missions, and earn experience points. The rewards include new outfits, colors, and patterns for character customization, as well as unlockable music tracks from previous Fatal Fury and Art of Fighting games. The addition of a Color Edit mode allows for further personalization.
Multiplayer enthusiasts can look forward to robust online features, including rollback netcode for smooth gameplay and cross-platform play, ensuring a global community of fighters can connect seamlessly.
A Star-Studded Roster
The game’s roster is a mix of iconic characters and exciting newcomers. City of the Wolves features 17 characters at launch, with five additional fighters planned as part of the first season pass. Among these are guest characters Ken Masters and Chun-Li from Capcom’s Street Fighter series, marking a historic crossover for the franchise. Returning fan favorites like Terry Bogard, Rock Howard, and Mai Shiranui are joined by newcomers such as Vox Reaper and Preecha, each bringing unique fighting styles to the table.
Development Journey
The road to City of the Wolves has been a long and storied one. The sequel to Garou: Mark of the Wolves was first teased in 2005, with SNK’s commitment to reviving the series repeatedly reaffirmed over the years. While initial plans for a Neo Geo release were shelved, the dream was kept alive, culminating in the game’s official announcement at EVO 2022. A year later, fans were treated to a gameplay reveal that showcased its 2.5D fighting style and refined mechanics.
Director Nobuyuki Kuroki expressed his passion for bringing the Fatal Fury series back to life, emphasizing the importance of modernizing the game while respecting its roots. The inclusion of an English-language voice track marks a milestone for SNK, catering to a broader audience and reflecting the global appeal of the series.
Marketing and Hype
SNK has spared no effort in building anticipation for City of the Wolves. A promotional campaign featuring soccer superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has added mainstream appeal, while collaborations with Capcom highlight the game’s potential as a genre-defining title. Pre-order incentives include a classic costume for Terry Bogard and three days of early access, ensuring fans can jump into the action ahead of the official release.
Release Details
Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves launches exclusively as a Special Edition, bundling the base game with the first season pass. This approach underscores SNK’s confidence in the title, promising an extensive post-launch roadmap that includes additional characters, costumes, and gameplay enhancements.
A New Era for Fatal Fury
As the April 2025 release date approaches, excitement continues to build for Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves. By combining beloved elements from its predecessors with innovative mechanics and modern technology, SNK has crafted a game that honors its legacy while forging a bold new path. Whether you’re a longtime fan or a newcomer to the series, City of the Wolves promises to deliver an unforgettable fighting game experience that will stand the test of time.
