Fatal Fury Awaits: City of the Wolves Revives a Classic Fighting Franchise

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — SNK‘s iconic fighting game franchise Fatal Fury makes a long-awaited return with the release of Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves on April 24, 2025, after 25 years of dormancy. The game aims to provide a fresh yet familiar experience for fans, entering a competitive market alongside titles like Street Fighter 6.

Building on its predecessors, City of the Wolves features a classic four-button fighting system, emphasizing strategic gameplay over modern combat mechanics that have dominated the genre. “While I personally don’t mind a good neutral skip,” a player noted, “I greatly enjoy that larger focus on the mental chess game involved in approaching an opponent.” This focus on creativity in attacks diverges significantly from the universal mechanics found in newer titles.

The introduction of the Rev Meter is one of City of the Wolves’ most significant innovations, enabling players to build meter by blocking attacks or executing special moves. However, reaching 100% triggers an ‘overheat’ phase where players cannot use Rev techniques, heightening the importance of meter management during matches. One player described the experience as “making very important meter management decisions on the fly.”

However, some features such as Rev Blows have drawn mixed responses. They’re reminiscent of Drive Impacts from Street Fighter but offer a unique take that requires a counter hit to yield a full combo, adding an element of risk versus reward. The Rev Blows, along with unique movesets for characters, creates a sense of individuality that might appeal to fans of classic fighting games.

The character roster available at launch includes 17 fighters, incorporating old favorites alongside new entrants like Preecha and Vox Reaper, who bring diversity and unique gameplay styles. Veteran players will feel a connection to characters such as Terry and Hokutomaru, bringing nostalgia from past games.

Additionally, the game includes notable guest characters, including real-world soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo and DJ Salvatore Ganacci. While their mechanics add variety, concerns have been raised about their inclusion, as players feel it detracts from the authenticity of the Fatal Fury universe.

The single-player experience offers Arcade mode and the Episodes of South Town, which allows players to explore character backstories through a map-based RPG format. While it provides an innovative diversion, the mechanics can feel more grinding than skill-based.

Critics highlighted the need for improved teaching tools, as the tutorial fails to adequately explain advanced techniques, leaving newer players underprepared. On the online front, while rollback netcode is implemented, the experience can suffer due to poorly designed menus that feel outdated compared to the game’s polished combat.

“When it comes to all the most important parts of a fighting game, Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves is up there with the best of the genre,” reviewer notes. It combines the charm of retro gaming with modern mechanics, yet there are areas where it feels like the game hasn’t fully evolved after decades of hiatus.

The return of Fatal Fury heralds a significant moment for fans of the genre. City of the Wolves demonstrates that despite its flaws, SNK remains a formidable player in the fighting game realm, seeking to bridge the gap between nostalgia and contemporary gaming.