Fatal Fury City of the Wolves

Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves – A Legendary Franchise Reborn

The Fatal Fury series, a cornerstone of fighting game history, is making its triumphant return with Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves. This highly anticipated sequel to 1999's Garou: Mark of the Wolves marks the franchise's first mainline entry in over 26 years. Developed by SNK, the game promises to deliver a fresh experience while staying true to its roots, blending fast-paced combat, deep mechanics, and a rich narrative set in the iconic South Town. Here’s an in-depth look at everything you need to know about this exciting new chapter in the Fatal Fury saga.

The Legacy of Fatal Fury

The Fatal Fury series debuted in 1991 with Fatal Fury: King of Fighters, introducing players to South Town, a gritty urban setting rife with crime and ambition. The franchise quickly became known for its compelling characters, innovative gameplay mechanics, and intense rivalries—most notably between Terry Bogard, the heroic "Hungry Wolf," and Geese Howard, the ruthless crime lord. Over the years, Fatal Fury evolved into a beloved fighting game franchise that laid the groundwork for SNK's other iconic series, such as The King of Fighters.

The last mainline entry, Garou: Mark of the Wolves, shifted focus to Rock Howard, Geese's orphaned son who was raised by Terry Bogard. The game introduced new characters and mechanics while maintaining the series' signature style. Now, with City of the Wolves, SNK aims to continue this legacy while modernizing it for a new generation.

Plot and Setting

Set once again in South Town, Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves picks up where Mark of the Wolves left off. The game explores a power vacuum left by Geese Howard's death and follows Rock Howard as he navigates his complex legacy. Raised by Terry Bogard after his father's demise, Rock is torn between his upbringing and his bloodline.

The story introduces new twists and turns. One major revelation is that Rock's mother, Marie Heinlein—long thought to be dead—is alive. This shocking discovery sets off a chain of events involving old allies and new enemies vying for control over South Town’s criminal underworld. Meanwhile, questions linger about whether Geese Howard is truly gone for good, as his shadow looms large over the city.

Supporting characters like Kain R. Heinlein (Rock’s uncle) play pivotal roles in shaping the narrative. Kain’s ambition leads him to team up with Rock in an effort to rescue Marie from her captors. Together, they confront powerful adversaries in a new King of Fighters tournament that promises high stakes and intense battles.

Gameplay Mechanics

SNK has introduced several innovative systems in City of the Wolves, ensuring it stands out in today’s competitive fighting game landscape while honoring its heritage.

The REV System

At the heart of City of the Wolves is the all-new REV System, which adds layers of strategy and excitement to combat:

• REV Arts: Enhanced versions of special moves that consume segments of the REV Meter.
• REV Accel: Allows players to chain multiple REV Arts together for devastating combos.
• REV Blows: High-impact moves that combine offense and defense; they can absorb enemy attacks while delivering powerful strikes.
• Overheat State: If players overuse REV actions and max out their REV Meter, they enter an Overheat State. This disables all REV abilities temporarily and makes their guard gauge vulnerable to being broken.

S.P.G. (Strategic Power Gauge)

Players can customize their health bar by designating an active S.P.G. zone at the start, middle, or end of their health gauge:

When active, this zone enables gradual health regeneration.

It also unlocks powerful moves like REV Blows and increases attack strength.

Just Defense

A refined defensive mechanic where players block at precisely the right moment to gain advantages such as slight health recovery, reduced REV Meter consumption, and opportunities for counterattacks.

Faints and Brakes

• Faints: Allow players to cancel animations mid-action to create new combo opportunities.
• Brakes: Let players end certain moves early to reduce recovery time or transition into different attacks seamlessly.

These mecha nics encourage creativity and adaptability during matches, catering to both casual players and competitive enthusiasts.

Character Roster

City of the Wolves boasts a diverse cast of fighters that includes returning favorites and intriguing newcomers. As of February 2025, 14 characters have been revealed for the game's launch roster:

• Terry Bogard: The legendary Hungry Wolf returns with his iconic moves like Power Geyser.
• Rock Howard: The protagonist continues his journey as a skilled fighter torn between light and darkness.
• B. Jenet: The charismatic pirate queen brings flair and agility to battles.
• Kain R. Heinlein: A calculating strategist driven by ambition.
• Mai Shiranui: A fan-favorite kunoichi known for her speed and elegance.

Additional characters include Marco Rodrigues (a.k.a. Khushnood Butt), Hotaru Futaba, Preecha (a Muay Thai fighter), Vox Reaper (a mysterious newcomer), and more.

SNK has confirmed that DLC will expand this roster further post-launch.

Visuals and Presentation

One standout feature of City of the Wolves is its striking art style. The game combines hand-drawn aesthetics with modern graphical techniques to create vibrant character designs and dynamic environments. South Town itself feels alive, with stages reflecting its gritty yet vibrant atmosphere—from neon-lit streets to imposing skyscrapers.

Animations are fluid and expressive, capturing each character’s personality while enhancing gameplay readability—a crucial aspect for competitive fighting games.

Modes and Features

To cater to both newcomers and veterans:

Two control schemes are available: traditional inputs for seasoned players and simplified controls (similar to Street Fighter 6’s Modern Controls) for beginners.

Modes include Ranked Match, Casual Match, Room Match (for private lobbies), Tutorial Mode (to learn mechanics), and an RPG-inspired single-player mode where players can explore South Town while engaging in battles.

Crossplay ensures seamless matchmaking across platforms.

Rollback netcode guarantees smooth online play—a must-have feature for modern fighting games.

Open Beta Details

Ahead of its April 24 release date, SNK has launched an open beta from February 20–24 across PC, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S. The beta features:

Eight playable characters (Terry Bogard, Rock Howard, B. Jenet, Mai Shiranui, Kain R. Heinlein, Hotaru Futaba, Preecha, Vox Reaper).

Four stages showcasing South Town’s diverse locales.

Playable modes include Ranked Match, Casual Match, Room Match, and Tutorial Mode.

This beta offers fans a chance to experience City of the Wolves firsthand while providing valuable feedback to SNK ahead of launch.

A New Era for Fatal Fury

Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves represents more than just a continuation—it’s a rebirth for one of gaming’s most iconic franchises. By blending classic mechanics with modern innovations like the REV System and S.P.G., SNK has crafted a game that honors its legacy while pushing boundaries.

With its compelling storylines centered on Rock Howard’s journey through South Town’s treacherous streets; its robust roster featuring beloved characters; its stunning visuals; and its deep gameplay systems designed for all skill levels—this title is poised to capture both longtime fans’ nostalgia and newcomers’ excitement.

As we await its full release in April 2025, one thing is clear: Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves is not just another fighting game—it’s a love letter to fans who have waited decades for this moment. The wolves are back—and they’re hungrier than ever.