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Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves – What You Need To Know About The Upcoming 2025 Fighting Game From SNK
SNK has officially announced the long-awaited sequel to the 1999 Garou: Mark of the Wolves fighting game. The new game, Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves, promises a unique art style to captivate players, an innovative REV system to heighten the excitement, and enhanced battle systems for maximum enjoyment.
The game introduces two different control schemes to cater to both newcomers and long-time players, along with new features to revive the series. Alongside the character announcement, SNK has released a special gameplay trailer showcasing the characters’ new looks, the voice actors, and the new REV system, empowering players to unleash new offensive and defensive tactics. The game will feature returning characters as well as new ones for players to explore. Find out the breakdown of all the characters confirmed so far.
Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves features a unique art style that stimulates the senses, an innovative REV system that supercharges the excitement, plus a host of other battle systems even more robust than before. The game also breathes new life into the series by introducing two distinct control schemes (ensuring fun and excitement for newcomers and veterans alike) as well as other fresh features and elements.
Old systems from Fatal Fury titles: Combination Attacks, Just Defense, Braking, Dodge Attacks, Feints, S.P.G./T.O.P. (Selective Potential Gear)—classic battle systems from the Fatal Fury series return after 25+ years, evolved for the modern day
New system: the REV system makes its debut here. This new system offers unique offensive options from the moment the battle begins! Use REV Arts, REV Accel, REV Blows, and more until you hit your limit and the REV Meter overheats!
Two control schemes: You have the classic Arcade Style with technical inputs (QCF or 234, etc.), and Smart Style which uses directional inputs and single button presses for flashy specials and combos. This is clearly influenced by Street Fighter 6’s Modern Controls.
Note: Inputs are using PlayStation controls & face buttons
Introducing the REV System, a brand-new toolset that offers unique offensive options from the moment the battle begins! Use REV Arts, REV Accel, REV Blows (while S.P.G. is active), and more until you hit your limit and the REV Meter overheats. The all-new REV System—fight at full throttle and supercharge the excitement!
REV Blow: REV Blows blend offense and defense into one unique move: a hard-hitting strike that lets you brush off enemy attacks at the same time. Input the command Heavy Punch + Heavy Kick with SPG while jumping to do a midair REV Blow. Can also combo into it after REV Arts and Combination Attacks.
REV Arts: Press LP+HP/LK+HK simultaneously after a special move motion input to perform a stronger version of the move. REV Arts rely on the REV Meter.
REV Accel: This mechanic lets you combo REV Arts into other REV Arts. Following up with a REV Blow is also an option. Keep an eye on your REV Meter and let loose!
REV Guard: Input – R1 while standing or crouching. Special type of block performed by holding down the REV Guard button. REV Guard is a powerful defensive mechanic that puts more space between you and your foe than a successful regular block. It also negates chip damage from enemy special moves.
REV Meter: REV actions build up the REV Meter on use; when the meter overheats, they become unavailable. The REV Meter recovers over time, when you land attacks, and so on.
Your S.P.G. can be set to one of three positions (start, middle, end) on your health gauge. S.P.G. is deemed “active” when your remaining health is in your chosen S.P.G. position. The benefits of active S.P.G. include the ability to perform REV Blows, an increase in attack strength, and gradual health gauge recovery.
A unique Fatal Fury mechanic. Just Defense, like the name implies, is when you block your opponent’s attack at exactly the right moment. You’ll enjoy several benefits after a successful Just Defense: slight health recovery, REV Meter decrease, and the chance to perform a guard cancel.
Hyper Defense is when you do a forward input at exactly the right moment during a multi-hit attack. The benefits are the same as a Just Defense: slight health recovery, REV Meter decrease, and the chance to perform a guard cancel.
With Just Defense and Hyper Defense, you can interrupt your own block status and counter with any of the following actions:
-Special Move
-Ignition Gear
-Redline Gear
-REV Blow
-Hidden Gear
Guard canceling into an Ignition Gear or Redline Gear makes them come out faster than normal. You’ll be a true force to be reckoned with!
You can cancel (i.e. “brake”) the animation for certain special moves. This reduces the move’s recovery, which has a variety of benefits. Create more combo opportunities for yourself by braking an attack and then segueing right into a different special, for example.
Pretend to do a special move, without actually following through. This allows you to keep your opponent in check. You can even feint after a normal attack to reduce its recovery, then combo into something else.
Occurs when you hit a vulnerable opponent after they whiff an attack. Wild Punishes result in a special knockback state (or face-down knockdown, depending on the situation), allowing for combos not normally possible. Similar to Street Fighter 6’s Punish Counter.
The game’s base roster will feature 22 characters, with a Season Pass 1 DLC adding in 4+ characters post-launch.
This is the current roster so far:
Rock Howard, voiced by Griffin Puatu, is the biological son of the infamous South Town crime lord, Geese Howard. After the death of Geese, Terry Bogard steps in to raise Rock. Rock finds himself torn by complicated feelings and an ongoing internal struggle. Despite Terry’s influence, Rock is confronted by an enemy with revelations about his concealed past and the shocking news that his mother is still alive. Spurred by this revelation, Rock is determined to carve out his own destiny and fight for his future.
Armed with a potent offensive strategy, Rock blends the martial arts techniques of his father, Geese Howard, with those of his guardian, Terry Bogard. This combination allows him to execute fast-paced moves and combos that can incapacitate opponents before they have a chance to counterattack.
Fighting style & gameplay: Rock adopts both his dead father and Terry’s moveset – he has projectiles, hard-hitting vertical moves that cover distance, and a counter to stay on the defensive. He also has a unique command run with multiple attacks ala Guy’s Bushinryu dash from the Street Fighter series. And also a command grab to catch people who are asleep. If you feel that Terry is too easy of a character to use, Rock offers an alternative playstyle.
Terry Bogard, famously known as the “Legendary Hungry Wolf,” has been at the forefront of the Fatal Fury series from its inception and made appearances in every instalment, including the King of Fighters titles. In the more recent narratives, notably in Garou: Mark of the Wolves, Terry steps forward in a more mature role, taking the position of the experienced secondary protagonist just behind Rock Howard, who now takes the spotlight. His iconic look is carried over from Garou: Mark of the Wolves, featuring a brown leather flight jacket adorned with a star encircled in blue on its back.
Terry’s combat style is versatile, blending a vast array of techniques from different martial arts disciplines. He is masterful with a variety of punches, including hooks and uppercuts, and employs powerful kick manoeuvres. His unique fighting approach merges elements from boxing, kung fu, karate, kickboxing, and street fighting, making him a formidable opponent in any matchup.
After his rivalry with Geese Howard ends, Terry becomes a mentor to Geese’s son, Rock Howard, forming a close, almost unbreakable bond. However, their paths diverge when a tournament calls them in different directions. Following years of street fighting, Terry hears rumours of a new King of Fighters tournament and is drawn to the competition, sensing that fate has yet another challenge in store for him.
Fighting style & gameplay: Terry is the SNK/Fatal Fury version of a shoto character. He’s an all-rounder with all the moves needed for beginners: fireball, anti-air, horizontal attack, and good pokes/normals.
B. Jenet, also known as Jenet Behrn, is a notable character from the Fatal Fury and The King of Fighters series. She stands at the helm of the Lilian Knights, a group of honourable pirates. Born into opulence, Jenet grew disillusioned with her privileged yet monotonous life, prompting her to escape and establish the Lillien Knights pirate crew. She holds her fellow Lilian Knights in high regard, especially valuing the unique weapons they craft.
Presently, she finds herself making a temporary stay in South Town, her thoughts constantly drifting towards Kain and Grant. Struggling to articulate her feelings, the timing of the forthcoming King of Fighters tournament couldn’t be more perfect. It presents her with an opportunity to confront both men directly, allowing her to communicate her pent-up emotions.
Jenet is proficient in the LK Arts, a combat style reminiscent of Savate, or French kickboxing. This technique incorporates robust high kicks and swift hand strikes, executed with either an open or closed hand. Emphasizing speed and agility, her style enables her to execute a blend of ground and aerial attacks, chaining together powerful combos.
Fighting style & gameplay: B.Jenet relies on fast moves, so she’s more or less a rushdown character. She has a counter stance (the move where she counters attacks with her butt) so she isn’t lacking a defensive tool or a mixup to her fast offence playstyle.
Marco entered the scene in Garou: Mark of the Wolves as the latest practitioner of Kyokugenryu Karate, stepping in for Ryo Sakazaki. Thanks to his fiery spirit, he quickly became known as a fierce competitor.
His combat style is Kyokugenryu Karate, much like Ryo’s and Takuma’s, utilizing ki energy to land devastating blows on his opponents.
After an unexpected event where unknown assailants mysteriously took his dojo’s sign, Marco decided to train at Yuri’s fitness club to sharpen his karate skills further. With the announcement of the upcoming King of Fighters tournament, he sees a perfect opportunity to promote his cherished dojo, recover its stolen sign, and put his Kyokugenryu Karate abilities to the ultimate test.
Fighting style & gameplay: Marco fights just like Ryo and Takuma Sakazaki from Art of Fighting/KOF, meaning he has the tools of a shoto fighter. Fireball, anti-air, horizontal-moving attacks; he even has a command dash which lets him get close.
Preecha will be making her first debut in Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves. She is recognized as the best student of Joe Higashi, the Muay Thai Champion, and merges her expertise in Muay Thai with a unique fighting style she developed on her own. Apart from her martial arts prowess, Preecha is also a dedicated scientist interested in exploring the phenomena of Ki, a type of spirit energy.
Although she despises the pain associated with combat, she tolerates it to advance her investigation into diverse and intriguing martial techniques. Details about Preecha, including her motivations for entering the King of Fighters tournament, remain largely undisclosed.
Fighting style & gameplay: Preecha adopts her fighting style from Fatal Fury Muay Thai master Joe Higashi, except for his Hurricane Upper projectile. She has rushdown moves aplenty with many follow-ups to trick foes or just continue her combo onslaught.
Hotaru is a calm and joyful girl whose innocence is reinforced by her composure and subtle yet strong will. She first appeared in “Garou: Mark of the Wolves” as a martial artist on a quest to locate her enigmatic older brother following their mother’s death.
In the eagerly anticipated sequel, Hotaru happens upon an individual bearing a striking resemblance to her lost brother, who, however, claims to have no connection to her or her quest. Undeterred, Hotaru resolves to confront this enigmatic figure, expressing her resolve and seeking answers as she ventures into new territories.
Her fighting technique is characterized by the fluid and gentle motions typical of soft kung fu styles. With elegance and ki-based attacks as her forte, Hotaru employs Tai Chi and Baguazhang, among others, to adapt and switch between various stances, showcasing her adaptability and grace.
Fighting style & gameplay: Fast moves, a projectile, a dive kick that has air cross-up potential, and an anti-air; Hotaru fights similarly to other KOF characters like Athena. She even has a projectile reflect move for defensive options. Her range isn’t the best, but her fireball is solid and she gets in quick when needed.
Like Preecha, Vox Reaper will make his first appearance in Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves. Once a street assassin with the mission to take down Kain R. Heinlein, Vox’s attempt ends in failure. However, his skill catches the eye of Grant, Kain’s bodyguard, who sees potential in Vox and takes him under his wing as a protégé.
With a second chance at life, Vox is determined to realize both Grant’s expectations and Kain’s ambitious visions. He heads to South Town, reborn with a vengeance. Drawing on his assassin background, Vox is a master of Assassination arts and dark karate. he also incorporates Grant’s fighting style. In a showcase of his prowess during a gameplay trailer, he faces off against Terry, wearing a menacing half-demon mask and launching attacks in every angle and one knockout to end it all.
Fighting style & gameplay: Remember the boss character Grant from Garou: Mark of the Wolves? Vox Reaper has all of his moves. He has an aggressive playstyle with tons of counter-poking measures.
Tizoc, Mexico’s celebrated wrestling sensation, is famed for his iconic Griffon mask, which adds a touch of majesty and theatrical flair to the muscle-bound spectacle of wrestling within the Fatal Fury universe. A symbol of invincible justice, his over-the-top manoeuvres and powerful blows leave his rivals in the dust.
Deciding to come out of retirement, Tizoc is set to make a highly anticipated comeback at the King of Fighters tournament. Motivated by the enthusiastic cheers of young fans, he’s ready to return to the ring and prove his mettle once more.
His wrestling technique is deeply rooted in Pro Wrestling, drawing on the Lucha Libre tradition. However, unlike typical high-flying Lucha Libre wrestlers, Tizoc’s style focuses more on power. His repertoire features a variety of spectacular throws and holds, made possible by his remarkable upper-body strength.
Fighting style & gameplay: The grappler of the game. He is slow but hits hard, has decent footsies, and has damaging command grabs.
SWAT officer and keeper of the peace stationed in South Town. With trusty companion Marky in tow, this hard-hitting lawman scours the city’s streets in pursuit of the sinister Freeman—the man who murdered his best friend in cold blood. Kevin’s moves are inherently explosive, wildly energetic, and supremely effective; indeed, no perp has ever been able to walk away from them scot-free.
Fighting style & gameplay: Kevin has explosive moves and hits hard. Back in 1999’s Garou: Mark of the Wolves, he was a top-tier character because of his insane damage output, his Gatling Freeze super move, and the best normals. Due to his reputation, he will most likely be toned done in this sequel, but probably retain his damage output.
In this latest Fatal Fury game, Billy has a new look, swapping his bandana for Ray-Ban sunglasses. Now in charge of the late Geese Howard’s criminal organization, the Howard Connection, Billy is focused on leading his bereaved family of associates into a new era. His determination to defeat Terry Bogard, the one responsible for his late master’s death, is unwavering.
For those familiar with Fatal Fury lore, Terry attempted to save Geese from falling off Geese Tower, but Geese rejected his help and fell to his demise. The game’s Arcade/Story mode promises to shed more light on Billy’s story. Additionally, it remains to be seen whether Billy will pursue Joe Higashi for dating his sister Lilly Kane without permission.
Fighting style & gameplay: Billy wields a staff, which he can set on fire to face opponents. Known as Bojutsu (stick fighting), he retains his special moves and Desperation Moves from previous titles. Moreover, he now possesses ground-based EX moves, enabling him to extend his assaults and combos for added damage from hard knockdowns. While considered a low-tier character in past KOF games, he might have a chance to be at least a mid-tier character with his OTGs (off the ground attacks) and extensions.
Successor to Shiranui-style ninjutsu. Following an important tip-off from dutiful monk Sokaku Mochizuki, this modern-day kunoichi proceeds to South Town with purpose—her intense flame and ever-refined techniques lighting up the darkness therein.
The original Queen of Fighting Games (apart from Street Fighter’s Chun-Li) is back and sports two different outfits for combat. She retains all her Shiranui-style ninja flame bee moves.
More characters will be revealed in the coming weeks & months.
This being the sequel to the much-cherished Garou: Mark of the Wolves game back in the late 90s and the next entry in the legacy Fatal Fury series, we will be seeing characters from that franchise entering the fray. We will also see new characters who adopt fighting styles from past characters (like Preecha and Vox Reaper) entering the game.
Based on the official teaser trailer below, we may be getting the following characters:
Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves will launch on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC via Epic Games and Steam in 24 April 2025.
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SNK Launches The King Of Fighters 30th Anniversary; 30 Announcements Planned | Kakuchopurei
August 26, 2024 at 10:55 am
[…] The KOF series has been around in arcades since 25 August, 1994. It started with 1994 and recently had its 15th game, The King of Fighters XV, which came out in February 2022. For more on SNK’s latest project, check out our coverage of Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves which is slated for late April 2025. […]