Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves Review (ShakeyCam)
TL;DR:
City of the Wolves is a mechanically strong and uncompromising fighting game that will reward the committed but offers little to onboard, entertain, or retain those outside the hardcore competitive scene. If SNK sticks the landing with DLC and ongoing support, this could very well become a competitive staple.
But as it stands today, it’s not for everyone and it probably never really tried to be.
Full Review:
City of the Wolves is a good fighting game for players who thrive in tournament-level environments or just like to grind ranked. In many ways, it delivers exactly what a specific segment of the FGC has been asking for: a high skill ceiling, powerful defensive mechanics, no universal "neutral skip" options like Drive Rush, and clear, consistent match outcomes that reflect skill gaps between players.
If SNK supports the game with consistent high-quality DLC characters for the promised three seasons alongside meaningful balance updates, City of the Wolves could become a tournament favorite. If you're a competitive-minded player, or tired of SF6/Tekken 8, and you're willing to lab out the JD/HD system, this game may be exactly what you're looking for.
That said, for casual, beginner, or even some intermediate players, I think City of the Wolves asks too much and gives back too little for its $60 price tag. The game bombards you with systems, and JD and HD in particular can be major hurdle. Especially once you layer in JD&HD cancels, and frame 0 supers. It does little to teach or ease players into its mechanics, which may alienate anyone not already embedded in the competitive mindset or willing to adopt it.
The roster is a mixed bag. Unless you're a die-hard Fatal Fury (MotW in particular) fan, or you're content treating characters as "functions" rather than personalities (as I suspect many players are), the cast may feel underwhelming if you were expecting more "colorful" characters like the ones from KOF or SF6.
I don’t personally value single-player content in fighting games, but to echo the general sentiment: Arcade Mode is enjoyable if you're invested in Fatal Fury lore and want to see these characters' arcs concluded. EoST is a neat concept, but it's ultimately barebones and repetitive.
As for the marketing, between celebrity guests and flashy sponsorships, there was a disconnect somewhere. The developers set out to create a focused, niche love letter to Fatal Fury, a heartfelt sendoff for a beloved franchise. Meanwhile, the marketing tried to sell it as a mainstream, earth-shattering franchise revival which it simply isn’t.
City of the Wolves is a mechanically polished, high-commitment fighter that offers deep rewards for the dedicated. But it builds no bridges for anyone outside that mindset, and even less for those just starting out. It’s a game that knows exactly what it is, and for better or worse, refuses to compromise.