So here we are, just a month away from the official release of Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves on April 24, 2025, and let me tell you, the betas have been a big part of shaping how this game is gonna hit when it finally drops. The first Beta Test gave us a taste of what the game had to offer, but the Beta 2 Test, which ran from March 26 to March 31, 2025, really took things up a notch. It was clear that SNK listened to the feedback from the first test and used it to make some solid improvements. Let’s break down what changed and why the Beta 2 Test has us more hyped than ever.
The first Beta Test that took place in February 2025 definitely had its moments. We got to play with some familiar faces like Rock Howard, Terry Bogard, Mai Shiranui, and B. Jenet. There was some good stuff here, but the first test also highlighted a couple of things that needed work. For one, the character roster was a little light. It was a solid start, but fans were definitely hoping for more options. Also, the control schemes—while offering both Arcade Style and Smart Style—felt like they could use some fine-tuning. Arcade Style was solid for those of us who’ve been playing fighters for years, but the Smart Style was a bit too simple. It was clear that the game had potential, but there were definitely areas to refine.
And then, there was the lack of a Training Mode. If you’re like me and love to learn the ins and outs of a fighting game, this was a major downside. Not having a space to just mess around and practice without jumping straight into matches was a real letdown. Still, the core of the game felt promising—it was fast, flashy, and fun—but it needed some polish. Also, match making was quite an issue as I had to wait long for matches.
This second beta, which ran from March 26 to March 31, took the lessons learned from the first test and addressed those concerns head-on. Perhaps the most exciting addition in Beta 2 was the inclusion of Tizoc, aka Griffon Mask. This was a big deal. His addition not only expanded the lineup but also added a fresh fighting style to the mix. If you’re into grapplers, you’re gonna love Tizoc. He brings some serious flavor to the game, and it’s clear SNK wanted to make sure there was something for everyone to play with.
But the big win for Beta 2? Training Mode finally got added. Thank god. This was the most requested feature by far, and SNK knocked it out of the park. Now, you can get in there, practice your combos, figure out the nuances of each character, and really start to understand how the game works—without worrying about getting wrecked in an online match or arcade mode. The customizable dummy behavior and the option to adjust power gauge settings? Huge.
On top of that, they introduced Classic Versus Mode, a way to fight offline with friends or the CPU without relying on an internet connection. It’s a classic feature, but sometimes the simple things matter most. They also dropped new stages like “Street Stars” and “Universal Arena,” which not only look dope but really help add some variety to the locations you’re battling in. It’s nice to see some fresh visuals that really keep the game feeling new.
Of course, the gameplay itself got a little tune-up. The REV system (that’s the counterattack mechanic) got a balance tweak, which makes a big difference in how combat flows. Inputs were also smoothed out a bit, making things feel more responsive and consistent. That alone helps the game feel much more polished than it did in the first test. Match making felt the same as Beta 1, it took a while just to get some matches.
Honestly, Beta 2 feels like a game that’s coming together. SNK didn’t just throw in a few tweaks here and there—they really paid attention to what people wanted and made sure to give us what we were asking for. Whether it was expanding the character roster, adding the much-needed Training Mode, or polishing up the combat mechanics, it’s clear they’re serious about making this game as good as it can be.
As we count down the days until Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves drops, the Beta 2 Test has only gotten us more excited for the full release. This game is shaping up to be a killer addition to the Fatal Fury series. We can’t wait to dive into the final version and break it all down. Look out for our full review once it’s out—we’ll be going deep on everything, from the mechanics and roster to the visuals and online features. It’s gonna be a wild ride, and I’m definitely here for it.
