More than just okay?
Over 20 years ago, SNK blew the world away with Garou: Mark of the Wolves.
It is, as such, without a doubt one of the most exciting fighting game releases this year.
It’s making an explosive landing onto the modern gaming landscape, too.
Discussions around what makes a solid single-player mode in fighting games is a long-lasting and tiring discourse.
In terms of extra goodies you unlock, it feels like a treasure trove for fans of the series.
you might even create custom colour schemes for your favourite character.
A group that is often found gorging themselves on nostalgia.
SNK has historically struggled with the transition from brilliant 2D sprite work to 3D.
But it turns out with City of the Wolves, SNKcoulddo better.
It’s a visual feast that your eyes can’t help but scan for every detail.
Stages are wonderfully animated, packed with little moving details and spectators cheering on your fight.
Almost every character looks like a true torchbearer for the old 2D art work SNK built its legacy on.
What doesn’t look good, however, are the menus.
It just… looks cheap.
Rushed and not particularly engaging.
City of the Wolves is a wonderfully built fighter.
Especially during an era where playing aggressive feels like the overall direction its competitors are heading in.
What other fighting game offers this kind of defensive complexity?
Well, there isn’t one.
That’s just what the doctor ordered, I say.
Such is the perpetual curse of fighting games.
You see, with smart controls your options in a match are severely limited.
This, for me, works.
Here again, SNK nails it.
Once you navigate that, it’s all gravy.
If I were to end the review here, City of the Wolves would get an overwhelming recommendation.
There will be many of you reading this who go, okay look, who gives a shit?
I want to play my video games.
I do absolutely understand that perspective.
SNK has, to give it well-deserved credit, created a brilliantly deep and compelling fighting game here.
It’s a bit weird that Ganacci and Ronaldo are here over other classic Fatal Fury characters, right?
Especially when there are decades of familiar faces people love who absolutely deserve a spot in the game.
It’s a call each player will have to make for themselves.
If you are willing to swallow the ethical dilemma, there’s a solid gold fighting game here.
A copy of Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves was provided for review by SNK.
