It’s been about two decades since Garou: Mark of the Wolves marked the last major chapter in SNK’s Fatal Fury series, and with Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves, the franchise finally roars back to life on today’s systems, including the PlayStation 5. Rather than reinventing itself entirely, the new game embraces what made Fatal Fury special while introducing modern twists that make it relevant again for today’s fighting game audience.
At the heart of City of the Wolves is the new REV System, a bold addition that encourages a more aggressive style of play. By managing the REV Meter, players can unleash special attacks, accelerations, and powerful REV Blows, creating fast-paced matches filled with strategic bursts of offense. It adds an extra layer of dynamism without feeling overly complicated, even if pushing the REV Meter too hard leads to an overheating state that forces players to briefly rethink their strategy and pace themselves. Alongside this, SNK has introduced two control schemes: Arcade Style for the purists and Smart Style for newcomers, making sure that both veterans and rookies find something to enjoy.
The game’s roster feels like a celebration of Fatal Fury’s history, offering a diverse selection of fighters that blend returning legends with new blood. While some fans might have hoped for a few more daring choices among the newcomers, the starting 22 characters are well-designed and distinct, with tight balancing that gives each fighter a viable shot at victory. Visually, City of the Wolves shines with a unique art style that mixes bold shading with vibrant colors, giving each character and stage a lively and almost hand-drawn energy. It’s a style that clearly distinguishes the game from its present-day competitors while paying homage to SNK’s 2D roots.
One of the most surprising additions is Episodes of South Town, a single-player RPG-inspired mode where players level up characters and tackle a range of challenges. While it adds longevity and offers an interesting way to explore the game’s mechanics at a deeper level, it doesn’t always feel as polished or essential as the core versus modes. Some repetitive mission structures can make EOST feel like more of a distraction than a major draw after a while, especially compared to the intensity of standard fights. We’re hoping this is a starting point though, with more content coming post-launch.
In terms of gameplay feel, Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves benefits enormously from smooth, responsive controls and a fast pace that manages to feel modern without losing the series’ old-school spirit. Combos are satisfying to pull off, whether you’re using technical inputs or simplified Smart Style commands, and the impact behind strikes feels weighty and satisfying. Online play appears solid as well, with rollback netcode helping deliver consistent matches, though early impressions suggest there’s still room for minor improvements in matchmaking stability.
Ultimately, Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves feels like a true rebirth for one of SNK’s most iconic franchises. It doesn’t radically redefine the fighting game genre, but it updates a classic formula with care and creativity. Fans who have waited decades for a new entry will find a lot to love here, and newcomers will appreciate how the game lowers the barrier to entry without sacrificing depth. It’s a stylish, hard-hitting return that deserves a spot alongside today’s best fighters.
Score: 8.3/10
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