The fighting game genre is experiencing a renaissance, with recent hits like Street Fighter 6, Mortal Kombat 11, and Tekken 8. Now, SNK enters the arena with Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves, a game that promises to turn heads. I experienced a hands-on demo at Summer Game Fest and was thoroughly impressed.
Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves is a traditional 2D fighting game where players engage in stylish duels. Each button corresponds to a limb, the control stick enables blocking, and intricate combo strings reward skilled players. The game demands precision and knowledge, making it both challenging and rewarding.
However, the game’s defining feature is its rev system, which adds a unique twist to the gameplay. Certain actions, such as special moves, build up rev. When the rev meter reaches 100%, players overheat and lose access to extra actions until the meter cools down.
This ingenious mechanic encourages strategic decision-making rather than button mashing. Players must carefully consider their actions, balancing aggression with restraint. It creates exciting dynamics that make matches both thrilling and unpredictable.
Complementing the gameplay is a vibrant visual style with bold colors and fluid animations. It evokes the same visual appeal as Street Fighter 6, a style that resonates well with the genre. These visuals also bring the diverse cast of characters to life, each with their unique personalities and fighting styles.
While Fatal Fury may not have the mainstream recognition of Mortal Kombat, it holds a special place in the hearts of fighting game fans. City of the Wolves marks a triumphant return for the series, not merely relying on nostalgia but introducing innovative gameplay mechanics like the rev system.
As the game prepares to launch in 2025 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, it promises to captivate fighting game enthusiasts and earn a spot among the genre’s elite.
