Neo
Geo, Dreamcast, Playstation 2, Xbox 360 (XBLA)
Release Date(s):
November 11th, 1999
(Arcade)
February 25th, 2000 (
NeoGeo)
September 21st, 2001 (
Dreamcast)
November 23rd, 2001 (
Dreamcast)
June
30th, 2005 ( PS2)
June 24th, 2009
(/ XBLA)
Garou is simply an awesome and inspiring
fighting game that made a statement in the 2D fighting game genre. If you haven't
put some quality time into Garou, you're missing out on one of SNK's
all time best 2D fighting games. SNK answered Capcom's SFIII in a big way,
which isn't an easy task by
any means. The characters, the animation, the backgrounds, the music... this game's got it all.
Garou is still one of my all time favorite classic 2D fighting games...
and I really wonder why SNK hasn't released any sort of sequel (although one has
been rumored for years).
Ahh well, there's nothing much else to say besides... "Ahhh you Okaaay???
BUSTAAAAH WOOOLF!!!" (one of the best super moves ever, for your information.)
~TFG
Webmaster
.
.
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.
An entirely original
cast... and Mr. Terry Bogard.
REVIEW:
Considered to be "Fatal Fury 4"
by many, 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 III series, and not only does
Garou maintain the awesome fluid animation that rivals SFIII (as well as SNK's own
AOF3),
but it also packs some engagingly deep and strategic gameplay, in which
button-mashers will have absolutely no chance against seasoned players... my
kind of fighting game indeed.
Rock's BGM is undeniably
one of the best ever.
Garou is hands down
one of SNK's best-looking fighting games. All stages are introduced with unique introduction movies, complete with moody background sounds which
define the setting before each fight. Every single background is meticulously detailed
from every angle and have amazing depth for a 2D fighting game (especially in
1999). Each background is perfectly fitted for each
individual character and
a lot of the background music (and the intro song) is incredibly catchy and very well
designed.
The character designs themselves are also overflowing
with personality... Garou's characters actually have a lot in common
with Street Fighter III: New Generation characters, in the way of being
inspired by classic fighting game icons. Newcomers like Marco Rodriguez,
Dong
Hwan and Tizoc, are
the "new generation" of SNK fighters who take the place of, in this case,
Ryo Sakazaki, Kim
Kap Hwan and Big Bear (all
of which are former Fatal Fury characters whom use the same core fighting
styles). The only returning character is Mr. Terry Bogard, SNK's original fighting game hero and fighting game
icon, who debuted in Mark of the Wolves with a brand new appearance and some awesome new
attacks... a pretty gutsy move from SNK in '99, but it paid off!
Terry loves his train top
battles.
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, as well as gradual life recovery & 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 wide variety of command priority moves. Each character also boasts incredibly
stylish special and super moves which seem to make a statement. All characters also have a
variety of alternate priority attacks when fighting their opponent "in
close," which are great for setting up combos. Even with the absence of so many classic Fatal Fury characters, this new roster
of SNK fighters doesn't disappoint; and as a whole, holds their own and make for
a very well-balanced game. Hit
effects also are done amazingly well and nearly all the attacks in this game never fail
to make you say ouch!
NeoGeo)
Dreamcast)
Ahh well, there's nothing much else to say besides... "Ahhh you Okaaay???
BUSTAAAAH WOOOLF!!!" (one of the best super moves ever, for your information.)
.
