Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves – Kain R. Heinlein Dominates Early Tier Lists, Franchise Celebrates 26-Year Comeback
After a staggering 26-year hiatus, Fatal Fury has roared back onto the scene with City of the Wolves, instantly igniting the fighting game community. Fans are ecstatic, and the competition is already fierce. But who's dominating the early meta?
According to former pro competitor Marn, one character stands head and shoulders above the rest: Kain R. Heinlein. In his day two tier list, Marn confidently places Kain in the coveted S tier, citing his strong zoning game, long reach, and devastating damage output.
"The answer is actually Kain R. Heinlein, who Marn is surprised wasn't apparently nerfed from the betas of the game," Marn stated, highlighting the character's apparent lack of balance adjustments despite his pre-release dominance.
While Kain reigns supreme, a solid group of contenders fills the A tier, including fan favorites like Billy and Hotaru, alongside Marco. Notably, Marco possesses an infinite combo that's widely expected to be patched out soon. The rest of the roster occupies the B tier, suggesting a reasonable level of balance across the board, at least in the early stages of the game's lifecycle.
Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves has been praised for its exciting gameplay and diverse roster of 17 characters, ranging from returning icons like Terry Bogard and Mai Shiranui to newcomers like Preecha and Vox Reaper, each bringing unique playstyles to the table.
One intriguing aspect of City of the Wolves is its blend of classic Fatal Fury mechanics with modern innovations. The REV system and S.P.G. (Selective Potential Gear) add layers of strategic depth, offering players new ways to approach combat. The REV system allows players to perform actions with trade-offs. S.P.G. gives buffs at a certain HP level.
However, not all additions have been met with universal acclaim. The inclusion of celebrity guest characters, notably Cristiano Ronaldo, has sparked debate. While some view it as a cash grab, others see potential in characters like Salvatore Ganacci, a famous DJ designed as a joke character. Ganacci is viewed more complete and part of the game's core.
Speaking of Terry Bogard, producer Yasuyuki Oda emphasizes that he is the most iconic character of SNK and why it was easy was to integrate him in crossover games like Super Smash Bros. Ultimate and Street Fighter 6. Bogard will also be returning to the recently released release Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves.
Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves is out on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC now and it offers cross-platform play.
With its mix of classic appeal and modern features, Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves has successfully reignited the franchise. Will it maintain its momentum, and will Kain R. Heinlein remain the undisputed top dog? Only time, and countless matches, will tell. What are your thoughts on the game and its balance? Share your opinions in the comments below!
