Fatal Fury Revival Potential
SNK’s Fatal Fury: City Of The Wolves marks the latest installment in the company’s ongoing narrative that spans close to a decade. Beginning in 2016, SNK embarked on a meticulous journey to reintroduce its beloved fighting game series to the modern gaming community. The revival journey commenced with King Of Fighters XIV, followed by Samurai Shodown in 2018, and most recently, the return to KOF with XV in 2021. Looking ahead to 2025, SNK aims to breathe new life into another classic fighting IP, one that has remained dormant for over twenty-five years.
At the recent SNK World Championships, attendees had the opportunity to experience a hands-on preview of City Of The Wolves and engage in insightful conversations with the game’s director, Hayato Konya. Impressions from this early look suggest that the new Fatal Fury installment is poised to honor the legacy of its predecessors.
The demo showcased a roster of five playable characters from the game. Among them were Terry Bogard, the original protagonist of Fatal Fury, and Rock Howard, the fresh face of the franchise, whose introduction was teased upon the game’s initial announcement in 2022. Additionally, two familiar characters, Hotaru Furaba and Tizoc, originating from 1999’s Garou: Mark Of The Wolves, are set to make a return after their last appearance in The King Of Fighters XI back in 2006.
The potential for a Fatal Fury revival is significant, with dimensions of 640 × 360 and 480 × 270.
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Now Showing: FATAL FURY: City of the Wolves Official Characters Gameplay Trailer
All four of these fighters stay true to their original appearances; Terry remains a versatile fighter, while Rock Howard maintains his element of surprise with Rage Run and Crack Counter. Hotaru excels in delivering powerful blows up close, and even possesses a fireball attack for long-range combat. Tizoc retains the ability to shift the flow of a battle with a well-executed command throw.
The fifth addition is Preecha, a student of Joe Higashi from the Fatal Fury series, showcasing a similar Muay Thai combat style. Preecha was specifically crafted to provide new players with an enjoyable experience, serving as a stepping stone before fully immersing themselves in the game. When asked if Preecha is meant to replace Joe in the Fatal Fury universe, Konya clarified that while she incorporates some of Joe’s signature moves and phrases, she is not a direct replacement for the iconic character. Konya emphasized that Preecha is a unique addition and not a substitute for Joe.
Fatal Fury Revival Potential: A Closer Look at City Of The Wolves
In the realm of fighting games, each character in City Of The Wolves boasts a unique set of normal and special moves, including three distinct categories of “super moves.” Among these, Ignition Gears stand out as “level one super moves,” accessible when one of the two bars at the screen’s bottom fills up, indicated by a star atop the bar. When both bars reach capacity, players can upgrade the Ignition Gear to a more potent Redline Gear, enhancing hits and damage output. The ultimate super move, Hidden Gear, demands specific conditions for execution, with intricate input sequences that SNK initially kept secret. Unveiling these hidden moves proved challenging, requiring players to master complex stick rotations and precise button combinations.
The Innovative REV System in City Of The Wolves
A standout feature in City Of The Wolves is the REV System, a dynamic blend of offensive and defensive mechanics designed to elevate each fighter’s combat prowess. Within this system, elements like REV Arts amplify a fighter’s special moves, akin to Street Fighter 6’s EX specials. Notably, REV Blow introduces a unique offensive maneuver that inflicts damage while creating distance from opponents. Meanwhile, REV Accel enables players to string together REV Arts and REV Blows for devastating combo chains. Introducing a defensive facet, REV Guard offers a specialized block that repels opponents further with each successful defense.
Central to managing these mechanics is the REV Gauge, a semi-circular bar located at the screen’s bottom corner. Unlike traditional systems where gauges fill to unlock abilities, the REV Gauge fills incrementally as players execute REV moves. Upon reaching maximum capacity, players enter an Overheat state, temporarily disabling REV abilities until the gauge depletes. While in Overheat, strategic gameplay choices like advancing towards opponents or executing successful Hidden Gears can expedite gauge depletion, resetting it to zero.
Strategic Gameplay Dynamics and Modernization Efforts
The implementation of the REV System introduces strategic depth to combat, encouraging players to chain moves for flashy combos while tactically managing the REV Gauge to avoid Overheat penalties. By incorporating the Overheat mechanic, developers ensure that players diversify their gameplay strategies, preventing overreliance on REV abilities in matches. This innovative system represents a pivotal step in modernizing Fatal Fury, aligning with the development team’s vision to evolve the franchise for contemporary audiences.
Moreover, City Of The Wolves introduces a user-friendly control scheme tailored to accommodate both new and seasoned players. The Smart Style feature streamlines character movesets by simplifying special move inputs into single-button commands, catering to players seeking a more accessible gameplay experience. While Smart Style facilitates ease of play, certain character-specific moves retain their traditional command inputs, encouraging players to transition to the more intricate Arcade Style for advanced tactics and expanded move sets.
Embracing Legacy While Pioneering Innovation
Drawing inspiration from its predecessor, Garou, City Of The Wolves retains key mechanics while introducing novel gameplay elements like the REV System and SPG (Selective Potential Gear). Just Defense, a returning mechanic, offers precise blocking mechanics that reward players with health benefits and strategic advantages. Accompanying this is the new Hyper Defense ability, tailored to counter multi-hit moves with finesse and skill.
One of the most intriguing additions, SPG, allows players to designate a portion of their life bar for enhanced capabilities, gradual health recovery, and strategic advantages. Positioned strategically within the life bar, SPG activation offers unique benefits tailored to individual play styles, enriching the gameplay experience and fostering diverse combat strategies.
With a keen focus on revitalizing the Fatal Fury franchise, City Of The Wolves embodies SNK’s commitment to delivering a captivating and nuanced fighting game experience. By infusing tactical depth through the REV System and SPG mechanics, the game promises to engage both new and veteran players alike, offering a blend of tradition and innovation that sets it apart in the competitive fighting game landscape.
Scheduled for an early 2025 release, Fatal Fury: City Of The Wolves heralds a new chapter in the iconic franchise’s legacy, poised to captivate audiences with its blend of strategic gameplay, modernized mechanics, and engaging combat dynamics.
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