FATAL FURY: City of the Wolves
" Deep action fighter with polished gameplay and crossplay, but steep learning curve "
FATAL FURY: City of the Wolves Review
Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves is a mechanically deep and polished fighting game that appeals primarily to hardcore fighting game enthusiasts. It offers a high skill ceiling with a wealth of defensive options such as Just Defense, Hyper Defense, and REV blocks, distinguishing it from many modern fighters. The gameplay emphasizes strategic footsies, rewarding committed players with satisfying combos and match outcomes that reflect skill.
The game features a roster that some find underwhelming unless they are Fatal Fury fans, with guest characters being a controversial addition. While the graphics and soundtrack receive praise for their quality and nostalgic value, the single-player content and UI are considered barebones and in need of improvement. Online netcode and matchmaking are generally well-regarded, though the niche community may be less welcoming to newcomers. Overall, it is a solid, rewarding experience for dedicated players but may alienate casual or new fighting game fans due to its complexity and lack of onboarding.
Highlights
The gameplay mechanics are highly praised for their depth, balance, and rewarding defensive options.
Graphics and art style blend modern 3D visuals with classic Fatal Fury charm, accompanied by an excellent soundtrack featuring over 400 tracks.
Online play benefits from solid netcode and matchmaking, allowing smooth crossplay experiences.
The color edit mode and extensive library content add customization and fan service.
The game's story mode, while basic, offers satisfying character arcs for Fatal Fury fans.
Criticisms
The game has a steep learning curve with limited tutorials and onboarding, making it difficult for new or casual players.
The UI and training mode are criticized for being clunky, unintuitive, and lacking quality-of-life features compared to contemporaries.
Some players find character balance uneven, with a few characters being overpowered and others underwhelming.
The roster's inclusion of guest characters is divisive, with some feeling they took slots from legacy fighters.
Single-player content is considered barebones and repetitive, lacking depth beyond basic arcade modes.
Pricing is viewed as expensive relative to content and community size.
Occasional bugs and glitches are reported, though not pervasive.
Pros
- • Deep and polished gameplay with rewarding defensive mechanics and high skill ceiling.
- • Solid netcode and matchmaking facilitate smooth online play and crossplay.
- • Excellent soundtrack with a vast library of classic and modern tracks.
- • Color edit mode offers extensive customization with unlockable patterns.
- • Graphics blend modern 3D visuals with nostalgic Fatal Fury style.
- • Story mode provides satisfying character arcs for series fans.
- • Varied character roster with distinct playstyles and unique mechanics.
Cons
- • Steep learning curve with minimal onboarding for new or casual players.
- • Clunky and unintuitive UI and menu navigation frustrate some players.
- • Training mode lacks advanced features seen in other fighting games.
- • Roster balance issues with some characters perceived as overpowered.
- • Guest characters controversial, perceived as taking slots from legacy fighters.
- • Single-player content is barebones and repetitive, lacking depth.
- • Pricing considered high relative to content and niche community size.
Rating Criteria
26 years on, a brand-new entry in the Fatal Fury series is set to arrive on the scene! FATAL FURY: City of the Wolves features a unique art style that stimulates the senses and an innovative REV System that supercharges the excitement. Here, at long last, a new legend is about to unfold…
