Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves Review

Two decades. That’s how long fans have waited for a proper return to the world of Fatal Fury. After the genre-defining Mark of the Wolves was released in 1999, SNK’s legendary fighting series largely lay dormant — a treasured memory in the hearts of arcade warriors and pixel-punching purists. But now, in 2025, Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves arrives not as a relic of the past, but as a vibrant, ambitious, and deeply modern fighter — one that honours its roots while forging an exciting new path forward.

For those who grew up throwing fireballs in South Town

Visual Identity – Anime Stylized, Soulfully Modern

You’ll first notice the game’s gorgeous cel-shaded anime aesthetic, a visual style that beautifully bridges old-school SNK charm with contemporary flair. Every punch, kick, and REV Blow is rendered in bold, exaggerated frames that bring characters to life with dazzling detail. Whether you're soaring through a two-lane battle stage or watching a cinematic Hidden Gear finish, City of the Wolves is a visual spectacle.

Stages ooze atmosphere, from neon-soaked back alleys to grand arenas pulsing with SNK fanfare. And thanks to the vibrant colour palette and detailed animations, every match feels like you’re controlling a living anime episode.

Gameplay – Deep Roots, Fresh Mechanics

SNK hasn’t just revived Fatal Fury — they’ve rebuilt it with modern gameplay sensibilities while preserving the gritty fundamentals that made the series special. The combat feels tactile, technical, and thrilling, with several standout features that elevate it beyond a standard 1v1 brawler.

Dual Control Schemes – Smart Style vs. Arcade Style

Whether you're a total beginner or a grizzled EVO veteran, City of the Wolves meets you where you are. Smart Style offers a simplified control layout for newcomers — think easy specials, simplified combos, and intuitive damage scaling that lets you compete without memorizing a move list.

On the other hand, Arcade Style caters to traditionalists and competitive players, giving you full control over feints, breaks, and manual combos. You can extend pressure, cancel blocks, and string devastating chains with finesse. It’s this accessibility-to-mastery spectrum that makes the game feel both welcoming and enduring.

The REV System – Strategic Meter Redefined

The most groundbreaking addition is the new REV System, a dynamic take on meter management that injects tension and flexibility into every match. It’s not just about building bar — it’s about how and when you use it.

• REV Blow: A powerful counterattack that turns defence into offence.
• REV Guard: A chip-negating block that creates breathing room and resets momentum.
• Overheat State: Abuse the REV system too much, and you're temporarily locked out of its benefits — a mechanic that forces players to think twice before spamming high-risk options.

Layered onto this is the SPG (Selective Potential Gear) system — a smart evolution of Mark of the Wolves’ T.O.P. System. You now choose where in your health bar you want your power boost to activate (beginning, middle, or end), giving strategic control over when your most explosive tools, like Hidden Gears, become available.

Returning Systems – Old Tools, New Tech

Classic mechanics return with modern upgrades:

• Just Defense: Time your block perfectly and get rewarded with meter gain and frame advantage.
• Guard Cancels: Block and immediately counter to turn pressure into punishment.
• Two-Lane Battle Stages: A brilliant throwback where certain stages let players shift lanes mid-fight, adding spatial strategy and classic SNK flavour.

Content – Single Player, Multiplayer, and Everything Between

While fighters often skimp on solo content, City of the Wolves bucks that trend with Episodes of South Town, a story-driven single-player mode that lets players explore the city, level up characters, and soak in the Fatal Fury mythos. This is a welcome addition that fleshes out the world and offers a reason to engage outside of competitive play.

There are also plenty of modes to keep you busy:

• Trials, Time Attack, and Survival Modes for skill mastery.
• Special Versus Mode, where you can toggle fun rules like always-on SPG or double damage.
• Arcade Mode with unique character endings for each fighter.
• Mini-games that teach inputs in fun ways — a clever alternative to dry tutorials.

Online Experience – Great Netcode, Room for Polish

Online play features rollback netcode and full crossplay, providing a smooth and fair experience across platforms. During our testing, matches — even ones with 100ms+ pings across continents — felt responsive and competitive. Clone Mode lets you fight AI versions of opponents you’ve faced, giving players a unique tool to study matches and improve.

You can build custom lobbies with up to six battle stations (VS or Training), set match conditions, or jump into Ranked and Casual matches. Your online profile includes your win/loss record, friend list, settings, and even a Fair Play Score, which punishes rage-quitting and promotes healthy competition.

However, matchmaking isn’t perfect. Loading times between matches are longer than expected, and there’s no Wi-Fi indicator, which makes predicting connection quality harder. These are small, patchable issues, but worth noting.

Roster and Customization – Old Legends, New Looks

SNK fans will be pleased to see classic characters return: Terry Bogard, Rock Howard, Mai Shiranui, and more — all with revamped move sets and stunning new animations. Fighters like Tizoc bring pro-wrestling flair, while Kim Dong Hwan brings electric taekwondo mastery to the mix.

The Colour Edit Mode lets you customize character palettes for online play. You can also tweak stage and menu music with retro tracks from Fatal Fury, Art of Fighting, and King of Fighters, adding layers of nostalgia and personalization.

Final Verdict

Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves is more than just a revival — it's a masterful reinvention. SNK has taken everything that made the original series beloved and fused it with fresh systems, stylish visuals, and deep gameplay variety. Whether you're new to fighting games or a seasoned competitor, there’s something here for you.

Despite a few blemishes — like matchmaking delays and the lack of a Wi-Fi indicator — this is easily one of the most complete and thoughtful fighting games in recent years. It’s a fitting tribute to SNK’s legacy, and a bold declaration of its future.

A confident, stylish return for one of fighting game history’s most iconic franchises. Deep, accessible, and packed with features, City of the Wolves howls with potential.