(LAST UPDATE: 6/24/09)
.
.
Developer(s): SNK
Publisher(s): SNK
Platforms: Neo
Geo, Dreamcast, Playstation 2, Xbox 360 (XBLA)
Release: November 11, 1999 (Arcade), May 23rd 2002 (Dreamcast), June
30th 2005 (JP PS2) June 24th 2009 (NA XBLA)
Characters:
Rock,
Dong
Hwan, Hotaru,
Marco,
Hokutomaru,
Kevin,
Freeman,
Tizok,
B.Jenet,
Gato,
Jae
Hoon, Terry,
Grant,
Kain
Related Games:
Fatal
Fury, Fatal Fury 2, Fatal
Fury 3, Fatal Fury Special, Fatal
Fury Real Bout,
Fatal Fury Real Bout 2,
Fatal
Fury Real Bout Special, Fatal Fury: Wild
Ambition, Fatal Fury: 1st Contact
Story:
10 years after crime lord Geese
Howard's
death, the city of Southtown has become more peaceful leading it to be known as
the Second Southtown (having formerly been corrupted by Geese). However, a man
named Kain R. Heinlein wants to take revenge on Geese for the poverty-stricken
childhood he suffered and aims to become the new lord of Southtown, more violent
than Geese. Wanting to find Geese's son,
Rock Howard, and understand the meaning of his legacy, Kain creates a new
fighting tournament called "King of Fighters: Maximum Mayhem". With
the tournament and information about Rock's mother, Kain aims to make Rock join
him in investigating Geese's legacy.
.
.
.
.
.
Review: Considered to be "Fatal Fury 4," Garou: Mark of the Wolves is easily one of SNK's most polished fighting games. Garou was clearly SNK's answer to Capcom's epic Street Fighter 3 series, and not only does Garou maintain the awesome fluid animation that rivals SF3 (as well as SNK's own AOF3), but it also packs some engagingly deep and strategic gameplay, in which "button-mashers" have absolutely no chance against seasoned players... My kind of fighting game indeed.
.
Garou is hands down one of SNK's prettiest 2D fighting games. All stages are introduced with unique intro movies, complete with moody background sounds which really define the setting before each fight. Every single background is meticulously detailed from top to bottom and have tons of depth for a 2D fighting game. Each background is perfectly fitted for each character, and a lot of the background music (BGM) is catchy and very well done (along with the intro). The character designs themselves are also overflowing with personality... Garou's characters actually have a lot in common with Street Fighter 3: New Generation characters. Newcomers like Marco Rodriguez, Dong Hwan, or Tizok, are actually the "new generation" of SNK fighters who take the place of, in this example; Ryo Sakazaki, Kim Kap Hwan, and Big Bear, all of which are former Fatal Fury characters who use the same core fighting styles. The only returning character is of course, Mr. Terry Bogard, SNK's original fighting game hero, and now fighting game icon.
.
The gameplay
is rock solid, and certainly of the best we've seen from SNK... Garou
introduces the "Tactical Offense Position" (T.O.P.) which is a
highlighted area of the life gauge. When the life gauge reaches this area, the
character enters the T.O.P. mode, giving character the ability to use a special
attack, also giving them gradual life recovery, and increased attack damage!
Depending on where you select your T.O.P. position is a strategic element of the
gameplay that really gives Garou it's own flavor. The 4 button
layout is similar to the KOF series, but characters are more well rounded
and have a variety of alternate priority moves, and of course incredibly flashy special
and super moves. All characters also have a
variety of alternate priority attacks for being
in close with their opponent, which is great for setting up combos.
Even with the absence of so many classic SNK characters, this new roster
of SNK fighters holds their own and make for a well balanced game. Hit
effects are done amazingly well, and nearly all super moves never fail
to make you say ouch!
 |
|
|
- Review is for Arcade version of Garou: MOTW - |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Closing Comment: Garou is simply an awesome and inspiring
fighting game. If you haven't tried it out, you're missing out on one of SNK's
best 2D fighting games. SNK answered Capcom's SF3 in a big way... which isn't an easy ordeal by
any means. Garou is definitely one of my all time favorite 2D fighting games for obvious reasons!
The characters, the moves, the music... This game's got it all. Where's the
sequel SNK?!?!? 
Well, there's nothing much else to say besides... "Ahhh you Okaaay???
BUSTAAAH WOOOLF!!!" ...One of the best super moves EVER, for your information.
~F.Yagami,
Webmaster
of TFG