During the SNK World Championship 2023 Grand Final, SNK made good on the expectation for more Fatal Fury: CIty of the Wolves information. First off, the game will be called Fatal Fury, which returns to its’ original North American name instead of its’ original name – Garou. Garou was part of Fatal Fury’s original Japanese name – Garou Dentsetsu(Legend of the Wolves) back in its’ 1991 debut.
Terry, Rock, Hotaru, and Tizoc, were shown alongside a newcomer to the series. Preecha – a Muay Thai fighter who seems to be a scientist, is that new wolf to join the Maximum Meyhem tournament of New Southtown. She is possibly a pupil of one of the former Fatal Fury vets – Joe Higashi. While Tizoc(as both himself and the moniker – King of Dinosaurs) and Rock have made appearances in the latest installments of King Of Fighters series, this will be Hotaru’s first appearance since KoF XI and Neo Geo Battle Colluseum.
The game seems to have a bit of a comic book shading feel so far. Compared to some of SNK’s recent titles such as Samurai Shodown “Remake” and Kof XV, there is a sharp contrast in terms of look and feel. The game sports both English and Japanese voiceover talent this time around, breaking the one language track tradition of other SNK titles.
New Mechanics have been shown to coming to the series. The Fatal Fury series itself has always been up to change in certain aspects. From its’ 1-2 planes backgrounds, and moves to counter act against plane shifts, to Super and Potential comebacks such as the iconic Power Geysher that Terry Bogard sports. Just Defense, from Garou: Mark of the Wolves which is similar to Street Fighter 6’s parry, is back, but with a new addition called Hyper Defense to guard against multiple hits.
Reving it up
The T.O.P. seems to have morphed into “Selective Potential Gear” (S.P.G.). T.O.P. in the past, gave an attack buffer, regenerative health, and access to the Potential Super Desparatation Move, which is akin to a Level 3 super. The guage sits ontop of the health gauge and can be placed in any part of the health gauge. Whether a player wants it to start or end or even in the middle, is to their descretion. Even the length of the T.O.P. gear was selectable.
The Super Gauge is not as confusing previous Fatal Fury installments with only 2 bars to fill. For a one bar move, Ignition Gear can be used. For the 2 guages, a Redline Gear move is where to go. For the Hidden Gear, both bars need to be filled, and the S.P.G. bar needs to active.
The Rev System is introduced in Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves. The Rev bars at the bottom will fill up when Rev System moves are used. Rev Guard for a pushback block, Rev Blow which can be used when S.P.G. is active, and EX moves – which are Rev Arts. All these will fill the gauge. Once it’s filled, these moves can’t be used and the player is in Overheat. This in turn would have to have them wait until it cools or goes back to zero. Regular attacks and active approaches can cool this down. The Rev Blow can possess armor properties. Similar to Drive Impact, two Rev Blows will slow the action down to see who wins dramatically. Feint Moves are also making a comeback.
What’s the New Story?
How the story will continue is a lingering question. In Rock’s shocking ending, Rock reluctantly joins Kain – Rock’s uncle – to find his mother who was once assumed to be dead. Terry – Rock’s caregiver – had to deal with the departure of his adopted son. Kain was the new boss who replaces Geese Howard a decade after his defeat by Terry in the Fatal Fury 3 game. In the previous trailers, and some promo screens, former Fatal Fury characters, who were absent from Garou, were teased to return(for instance, SNK’s it girl – Mai Shiranui). The three forefathers of Fatal Fury – Terry Bogard, Joe Higashi, and Andy Bogard, will return, according to SNK. As to how it’s connected to other games, City of The Wolves takes place in Southtown with some Art of Fighting nods and Fatal Fury stages redone.
Maximilian, Justin Wong, and Rooflemonger, break down their takes on the game with some prior knowledge and hands-on.
Fatal Fury: City of The Wolves has an early 2025 release window.
