Straight Outta South Town - Terry Bogard's Journey in Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves

The Return of a Legend

Remember the thrill of those arcade days? The glow of the screen, the sound of coins dropping... while you're racing against the clock to continue, and the iconic words, "ARE YOU READY?" If you do, then Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves will ignite that nostalgic spark while introducing fresh excitement for today’s gamers. Terry Bogard, the legendary Hungry Wolf, is back and ready to show why... South Town remains the epicenter of intense fighting action under the SNK banner.

The Origins: Terry Bogard’s Roots (For those who didn't know) Terry Bogard made his unforgettable debut in... Fatal Fury: King of Fighters in 1991, captivating fans with his determination to avenge his father’s death at the hands of Geese Howard, the ruthless crime boss of South Town. Back then, Terry was more than just a fighter... he was a symbol of resilience, standing tall against injustice with his trademark red cap and “OK!” catchphrase.

Terry Bogard from Super Smash Bros Ultimate
Terry's popularity landed him in the Challenger Pack 4 for Super Smash Bros Ultimate!

What truly set Terry apart, though, was his dynamic mix of martial arts and street brawling, not to mention those iconic moves like Power Wave and Buster Wolf. If you were like some of us in the 90s, you'd scramble to the arcade or... power on your console to attempt those moves you saw on the preview screen and hear that satisfying “KO!” Nothing like going in the arcade back in the day and... realizing that someone popped a quarter in and never played the game, because that meant free game time for us!

Terry in 2025: Evolution in City of the Wolves Fast forward to 2025, Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves picks up after Garou: Mark of the Wolves, where Terry’s life has evolved. As a mentor to Rock Howard, the son of Geese, Terry’s story now explores his dual role as a fighter and guide. This isn’t just about throwing punches anymore—it’s about navigating the emotional complexities of protecting Rock while grappling with the shadows of South Town’s underbelly. Terry's growing up right along with us huh? What's next... annual Doctor visits? (I'm joking.)

The Episodes of South Town mode dives deeper into his personal struggles, relationships, and motivations. And don’t worry... Terry’s hard-hitting moves are more dynamic than ever, enhanced by the new REV System that introduces REV Arts and other mechanics to keep fights unpredictable. I'm not the best Terry Bogard player, but even I was able to work some magic as seen in the gameplay above.

The gameplay in City of the Wolves made me want to grab a fight stick almost immediately. The REV System amps up the excitement with new abilities like REV Guards and REV Blows, giving fights an added layer of strategy and makes it a bit easier to use a controller with certain characters though.

Remember the joy of mastering a character that fits like a glove? The REV System can help in part with that, but... you'll still have to hold your own. Remember that. While Terry remains a powerhouse, the game's diverse roster ensures that you’ll find someone who fits your playstyle and it will remain balanced.

Get ready to fight, reminisce, and discover the next chapter of Fatal Fury from the shoes of Hungry Wolf! And if you’re not already hyped, consider this your wake-up call—South Town’s calling, and Terry’s waiting to throw down. By the way, stay tuned because Ken + Chun-Li are coming!


 + Sophi 

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Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves – A Fighting Game Revolution?

Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves... marks the triumphant return of SNK's legendary fighting game series, delivering a fresh experience for both veterans and newcomers. With its innovative REV System and a roster of iconic characters + new faces, this game is a must-play for fans of the genre. However, as with any game, there are highs and lows that deserve attention. So let's... jump in, after this first 30.




The Fight System: REV Up Your Gameplay

The standout feature of Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves is its REV System, which introduces a dynamic layer of strategy to battles. Players can utilize REV Arts for powerful combos, REV Guards for defensive maneuvers, and REV Blows to turn the tide of combat. The REV Meter adds a risk-and-reward element, as overusing these abilities can lead to an Overheat state, leaving players vulnerable. You will have to get adjusted to using your meter strategically, but at the same time if you don't use it you can lose it... and when you use it is up to you. You can come out powered up in hopes of getting a perfect, or save it for the middle of the road, or... save it until you need a little something to pull you from the brink of defeat when your health is almost gone.

For those seeking a tailored experience, the game offers two control schemes: the classic Arcade Style for purists and a simplified mode for casual players. This flexibility ensures that everyone can enjoy the game, regardless of skill level.


Finding Your Perfect Character

Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves - 17 Character Roster

As someone still exploring the roster to find the best fit for my playstyle, the journey is part of the fun (while avoiding L's as much as possible). While Terry Bogard and Mai Shiranui may not resonate with me as much (even back in the day in terms of controls), my fingers are crossed that characters like Billy Kane and others from the past might offer the familiarity (control wise) and versatility I seek from playing with them back in the day. Just to be clear, it's not that I don't like Terry & Mai, they're the two most recognizable characters from SNK fighting games in my opinion. It all boils down to what characters work for me. By the way, Billy bossed up in Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves! Outside of his new look, he is now the new kingpin of Geese Howard's organization... and he's gunning for Terry.

Billy Kane

The diverse roster includes returning favorites and new faces, each with unique abilities and fighting styles. I like a straight forward style, so regardless of using specials... I'm able to strike and get into my groove. Ryo Sakazaki is one of my go to character's from King of Fighters with a style that almost reminds me of Ryu's from Street Fighter. Ryu + Ryo were my front runners in Capcom VS SNK (on Dreamcast). My next character to try out is Marco Rodrigues for sure (his gi grabbed my attention). So I'm testing them out slowly but sure... and I look forward to seeing who connects with who on the roster.

Salvatore Ganacci

There are some really interesting additions to say the least, which includes the anime loving DJ... Salvatore Ganacci (that Salvatore) + Cristiano Ronaldo (yep, that one)... who looks like they both can serve up some crazy combos in a tournament.

Cristiano Ronaldo

Seeing someone else work magic with a select character is one thing... but if you aren't big on fighting games, the goal is to find the one or more that work well for you. That said, once you find a few characters, practice... practice... practice.

The Good, the Bad, and the UI

Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves shines once you make it through the tutorial, but the user interface (UI) leaves much to be desired. The eye catching home screen contrasts sharply with the clunky map navigation, which feels more suited to a mouse than a controller. A snap-and-move selection system would have been much better. The goal is to minimize the frustration and keep the cool on 10! Right?

The arcade selection screen, while functional, lacks the appeal expected from a modern fighting game. Where's the oomph? I was looking at it like... what is this?! It's 2025, there could've been movement from the character when you select them and have action in the background... based on the characters location. This gets the job done, but... it stinks and it doesn't feel cohesive:


This is the South Town character selection screen:

 Additionally, the dialogue screens in the Episodes of South Town mode could benefit from voiceovers to enhance immersion. While animated cutscenes after defeating the final boss could have been an option, I'm not mad at the comic-style presentation.

Up Your Game... Get A Fight stick!

For the ultimate Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves... experience, playing with an arcade fight stick is highly recommended. It enhances precision and brings the nostalgic arcade feel to your gameplay. You can find great options here. The PXN 008 Fight Stick is less than $40 right now (34% Off).


Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves is available on both PC and console. Choose your platform and dive into the action!

Despite its flaws, Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves is a solid addition to the fighting game genre. Its innovative mechanics and diverse roster make it worth exploring, especially for fans of the series. With a few updates, this game could truly become a lovely return to the franchise. Either way, nice job overall.


 + Sophi 

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I know some of you are back home in London, fresh off your Spring Break, missing the sunshine, but (hey) you'll be back in due time, and Universal Epic Universe will officially be open! I don’t think it will have anything like a dedicated gaming area in Super Nintendo World, but it’s sure to be fun!

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1. US USA

2. JP Japan

3. GB United Kingdom

4. CH China 

5. HK Hong Kong

6. SG Singapore

7. DE Germany

8. FR France

9. PH Philippines

10. CA Canada
 
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