Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves is the long-awaited return of the legendary SNK series after over 26 years. Developed by KOF Studio and published by SNK, the game is released on April 24, 2025 for PC, PlayStation 4/5 and Xbox Series X/S. The premiere includes a special edition with the first Season Pass, while later – DLC with characters such as Ken and Chun-Li from Capcom.
Gameplay and combat system
The game relies heavily on classic 2D dynamics - two-plane combat, "REV System" for attack control, and tactical use of energy.
The combination of the new REV system and the preserved two-level movement gives brutal but balanced combat mechanics.
The controls allow you to choose between "Arcade Style" for familiar controls and a new "Smart Style" option for a more accessible experience.
Content and modes
- The variable roster includes 17 fighters at the start – old acquaintances like Terry and May, as well as guest heroes (Cristiano Ronaldo, Salvatore Ganacci).
- The "Episodes of South Town" mod adds RPG elements - missions for EXP, skill unlocks, and customization.
- Classic Arcade, Versus, Practice modes are available, as well as rollback netcode and cross-play capabilities.
Vision and soundtrack
The graphics are cel-shaded 3D, instilling a comic book spirit with smooth animations, and despite some slight gaps in the backgrounds, it looks visually impressive.
The soundtrack is strong and diverse - classical motifs, but also collaborations with DJs (Steve Aoki, Afrojack), and the trailers are launched with special animation and clips.
Strengths
- Mechanically stable and satisfying combat system – a modernization without losing depth.
- A large, colorful fighting selection – including classic and guest characters.
- The RPG element "Episodes of South Town" offers additional motivation and narrative.
- High-level networking capabilities – efficient rollback netcode, cross-platform play.
Weaknesses
- A diligent but insufficient plot – the mechanisms are strong, but the story remains clichéd.
- Guest characters are controversial – the addition of Ronaldo in particular has drawn negative reactions due to its animations and poor integrity.
- Some visual and interface glitches, as well as slightly chaotic multiplayer at launch.
Admission and evaluation
Metacritic – 84% average score and 82% recommendations.
Reviews: CGMagazine 8/10, GameLuster 9/10, Capsule Computers 7/10, GamingBolt 7/10 – praise for the combat system, and negatives towards the mode and content.
Minimum system requirements (PC)
- Operating system: Windows 10 (64‑bit)
- Processor: Intel Core i5‑7500 or AMD Ryzen 3 1200
- RAM: 8 GB RAM
- Video card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 (6 GB) or Radeon RX 580 (4 GB)
- DirectX: version 12
- Free disk space: 60 GB
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Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves is a deserved triumphant return from SNK. The game's strength lies in its combat dynamics and atmosphere, maintaining tradition with modern mechanics and style. If you're a fan of the series or looking for a new fighting title - this is the choice for 2025. Just be careful with the DLC frames and guest integration.
