Garou: Mark of the Wolves 3561965 226103412 2008-07-16T20:57:58Z ClueBot 4928500 Reverting possible vandalism by [[Special:Contributions/70.179.160.168|70.179.160.168]] to version by SmackBot. False positive? [[User:ClueBot/FalsePositives|Report it]]. Thanks, [[User:ClueBot]]. (441836) (Bot) {{Refimprove|date=February 2008}} {{Infobox VG | title = Garou: Mark of the Wolves | image = [[Image:Garou MotW NeoGeo cover.jpg|250px|''Garou'''s box art]] | developer = [[SNK Playmore|SNK]] | publisher = [[SNK Playmore|SNK]] | designer = | release = November [[1999 in video gaming|1999]] | genre = [[Versus fighting game|Versus fighting]] | modes = Up to 2 players simultaneously | cabinet = Upright | arcade system = [[Neo Geo (console)|Neo-Geo MVS]] (688 Mbit [[cartridge (electronics)|cartridge]]) | display = [[Raster graphics|Raster]], 320 x 224 pixels (Horizontal), 4096 colors | input = 8-way [[Joystick]], 4 [[Button (control)|Buttons]] | platforms = [[Arcade game|Arcade]], [[Sega Dreamcast|Dreamcast]], [[PlayStation 2]] }} {{nihongo|'''''Garou: Mark of the Wolves'''''|餓狼 MARK OF THE WOLVES|Garō Māku obu za Uruvusu}} is a [[1999 in video gaming|1999]] [[fighting game]] produced by [[SNK]], originally for the [[Neo Geo (console)|Neo Geo]] system. It is the ninth and final game in the ''[[Fatal Fury]]'' series, set ten years after the death of [[Geese Howard]] in ''[[Real Bout Fatal Fury]]''. It is known for pushing the graphical capabilities of the [[Neo Geo (console)|Neo Geo]] as well as its well-balanced roster of characters and highly technical gameplay. ==Background== {{Original research|date=July 2008}} [[Image:Garou-screenshot.jpg|thumb|Bonne Jenet vs Tizoc, fighting in Tizoc's stage Universal Arena.]] Unlike previous entries, the game bore the Japanese {{nihongo|''Garou''|餓狼|Garō}} label instead of the normal English ''Fatal Fury'' for its [[game localization|localized]] versions (the North American [[Dreamcast]] release of the game was, however, titled '''''Fatal Fury: Mark of the Wolves'''''). There may be several reasons for this. The "Fatal Fury" designation was an analog for {{nihongo|"Legend of the Hungry Wolf"|餓狼伝説|Garō Densetsu}}, but the Japanese name itself was shortened for this one game. Moreover, many of the gameplay features (such as the button configuration and the use of pseudo-3D sidestepping) and nearly all the characters of previous ''Fatal Fury'' titles are non-playable in the game. Therefore, while the game is part of the series both officially and as part of the ''Fatal Fury'' [[fictional universe|universe]], it could be said that it is not a complete continuation of the previous games. The game is known for pushing the capabilities of the [[Neo Geo (console)|Neo-Geo]] (and particularly those of the graphics) to their limits. While the Neo Geo is completely incapable of rendering [[3D rendering|3D graphics]] and [[alpha compositing|semitransparency]], the game uses some of the most advanced strictly 2D graphical techniques to give the illusion that both are taking place. ''Garou: Mark of the Wolves'' more closely resembles [[SNK]]'s ''[[The King Of Fighters]]'' series than the ''[[Fatal Fury]]'' series. ''Mark of the Wolves'' features a character art style somewhere between the almost cartoonish ''[[Real Bout Fatal Fury 2]]'' and the unique but still [[anime]]-like ''KOF'' style (both styles, however, manage to display a high amount of detail despite the low resolution of the Neo Geo system, and ''Garou'' has quite detailed graphics as well). The fighting system of previous ''Fatal Fury'' titles is cast aside for ''Garou''; the general rhythm of the fighting system, the button layout, the more electronic-inspired nature of the music, and the [[collision detection]] are all factors that are more styled like the ''King of Fighters'' than ''Fatal Fury''. Just as the ''[[Fatal Fury]]'' series has many parallels with [[Capcom]]'s ''[[Street Fighter]]'' series, ''Garou: Mark of the Wolves'' parallels ''[[Street Fighter III]]'' in many ways. Both games were released around the same time in the late 1990s, just as the [[fighting game]] craze of the decade was cooling down. ''Garou: Mark of the Wolves'' takes place a full generation after the rest of the ''Fatal Fury'' series, discarding nearly all of the recurring characters (except [[Terry Bogard]]) in favor of new ones, as well as introducing a system of "just defending" (similar to ''SFIII'' "parrying" in that attacks are negated by performing a special block at the last split-second). Moreover, while ''Garou'' and ''SFIII'' characters have [[gaming crossovers|crossed over]] into other games, both games have not had true sequels produced for nearly a decade. ==Characters== ===Initial roster=== * '''[[Terry Bogard]]'''&nbsp;– Terry is the main character from earlier installments in the ''[[Fatal Fury]]'' series. In ''Garou'', he has a new look: his long [[blond]] [[ponytail]] is trimmed, and he has exchanged his trademark red [[vest]], hat, and shoes for a [[bomber jacket]] and brown [[shoes]]. Terry has a new Desperation Move (the “Buster Wolf”); however, he can no longer perform his original trademark move (the “Rising Tackle”), which is now Rock Howard's technique. * '''[[Rock Howard]]'''&nbsp;– Rock is the son of [[Geese Howard]] and protégé of [[Terry Bogard]] (as Terry seemingly killed Geese in ''[[Real Bout Fatal Fury]]'' and adopted the thus orphaned Rock). He is the main hero of ''Garou''. His fighting style combines techniques of both Terry and Geese, giving him an edge on both offense and defense. He wears a red and white jacket with a white star on the back, similar to Terry's classic vest. His motif, as used in the game's logo and in some of his attack and victory animations, is angelic [[wing]]s. * '''Kevin Rian'''&nbsp;– Kevin is a high-spirited [[police officer]] of Second South. He is also a friend to both Terry and Rock. He fights using [[Sambo (martial art)|Sambo]] (similar to his distant relative [[Blue Mary]]),<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20010822125216/http://www.neogeo.co.jp/garou/sss/q_a/q_a.htm [餓GAROU狼&#93; 〜MARK OF THE WOLVES〜 キャラクター人気投票<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> although much of his fighting style revolves more around direct strikes than grappling. He is cheered on during fights by his friend's son Marky. In ''Garou'', he seeks revenge for the death of his partner, murdered by Freeman. * '''[[Bonne Jenet]]'''&nbsp;– Bonne Jenet is a female [[pirate]] who is looking for treasure in Second South. Her fighting style involve wind-like projectiles that hit multiple times, and swooping attacks intended to catch opponents with suddenly-changing directions. She is one of two female fighters in ''Garou'', and is noted for her beauty both inside and outside the game; she often exploits it for her own personal gain. * '''Kim Dong Hwan'''&nbsp;– Dong Hwan was taught [[Taekwondo]] by his father, [[Kim Kaphwan]], and has a friendly rivalry with his brother Kim Jae Hoon. He is more of a show-off and slacker than his brother, relying more on aerial attacks and juggles (i.e. attacks that strike the opponent into the air uncontrollably). He believes he is a "genius" in the story, and doesn't need to study diligently in order to master [[Taekwondo]], but his father and brother see it differently. * '''Kim Jae Hoon'''&nbsp;– Jae Hoon was taught [[Taekwondo]] by his father, [[Kim Kaphwan]], and is a brother of Dong Hwan's. Jae Hoon admires his father, so he fights more like him than Dong Hwan does, with a combination of high and low attacks with plenty of power behind them. Like his father, he has a strong sense of justice and chivalry, but unlike his brother, he establishes his strength through constant practice. * '''[[Gato (King of Fighters)|Gato Futaba]]'''&nbsp;– Gato is a powerful fighter always in search of stronger opponents. He is the older brother of Hotaru Futaba, but hotly denies this. His actual background and motivations aside from these are unknown. He is often portrayed acting callous to opponents, and is notable for a large claw scar on his back visible in one of his win poses. * '''Hotaru Futaba'''&nbsp;– Hotaru is the younger sister of Gato. She searches for her brother. She is generally very polite and charming, and is accompanied by her pet [[sable]], Itokatsu. Her stage takes is a [[bell tower|belfry]], where a flock of birds removes her cloak. * '''Hokutomaru'''&nbsp;– Hokutomaru is a ninja who trained under [[Andy Bogard]]. He is extremely fast and crafty (with many moves that are among the fastest in the game), making him a nearly unpredictable opponent to deal with. His stage is a traffic accident that he caused, as he was unfamiliar with urban ways due to his age and training. * '''Khushnood Butt'''&nbsp;– Butt is a Kyokugen-style [[karate]] expert, who trained under [[Ryo Sakazaki]]. He is named ''Marco Rodriguez'' in Japan but was renamed in America (possibly to avoid confusion with [[mixed martial arts|mixed martial artist]] [[Ricco Rodriguez]]). He leads a somewhat austere life in a wooded area on the outskirts of town, and fights using powerful, deliberate attacks. Just like Ryo, he has several famous moves from Art of Fighting with some of his own derivatives. Many of his victory quotes sound insightful and philosophical, just as serious as his training and demeanor. * '''[[Tizoc (Fatal Fury)|Tizoc]]'''&nbsp;– Tizoc is a famous [[professional wrestling|pro wrestler]] in Second South and is seen as a hero in the eyes of children. Somewhat disillusioned, he enters the tournament in order to rekindle his own interest in fighting. His name in Japanese versions of the game is "The [[Griffon]] Mask". * '''Freeman'''&nbsp;– Freeman, real name unknown, is a mysterious serial killer that fights using slashing movements with his hands as if they were claws. Little is known about him, except that he killed a friend of Kevin Rian, and defeated [[Kim Kaphwan]] in a fight. ===Bosses=== * '''Grant''' - Grant, real name Abel Cameron, is a master of the dark style known as Ankoku [[Karate]]. Being Kain R. Heinlein's closest friend and personal bodyguard, he is the sub-boss of the game. * '''Kain R. Heinlein''': Kain is the mysterious host of Southtown's "King of Fighters: Maximum Mayhem" tournament. Being the younger brother of Marie Howard ([[Geese Howard]]'s deceased wife and thus [[Rock Howard]]'s mother), he is Rock's uncle. He is the final boss of the game, but the player needs to have at least an AAA-ranking win average throughout the game in order to reach him (and to see each character's full ending). ==Reception== {{Expand-section|date=June 2008}} {{VG Reviews |EGM = 8 out of 10<ref name="metacritic">[http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/drm/fatalfurymarkofthewolves Fatal Fury: Mark of the Wolves (drm: 2001): Reviews<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> |GSpot = 8.5 out of 10<ref>[http://www.gamespot.com/dreamcast/action/fatalfurymarkofthewolves/review.html Fatal Fury: Mark of the Wolves for Dreamcast Review - Dreamcast Fatal Fury: Mark of the Wolves Review<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> |IGN = 9 out of a 10<ref>[http://uk.dreamcast.ign.com/articles/166/166258p1.html IGN: Fatal Fury: Mark of The Wolves Review<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> |1UP = |Atrip = |CE = |Edge = |EuroG = |Fam = |G4 = |GameFan = |GamePro = |GameRev = |GI = |GSpy = |GT = |NYT = |Play = |OPM = |PSM = |XPlay = | |compilation = yes |MC = 86 out of 100<ref name="metacritic" /> |GR = 84.2%<ref>[http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/475156.asp Fatal Fury: Mark of the Wolves Reviews<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> | |award1=Best Fighting Game ([[GameSpot]], [[2001 in video gaming|2001]])<ref>[http://www.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/video/bestof_2001/p3_16.html GameSpot:Video Games PC Xbox 360 PS3 Wii PSP DS PS2 PlayStation 2 GameCube GBA PlayStation 3<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> }} {{-}} ==References== {{reflist}} ==External links== * [http://game.snkplaymore.co.jp/official/online/mow/index.php ''Garou: Mark of the Wolves''] at the official Japanese website of [[SNK Playmore]] *[http://game.snkplaymore.co.jp/official/nbc/museum/mow/ ''Garou: Mark of the wolves''] at NBC Museum of [[SNK Playmore]] * {{KLOV game|id=7918}} * {{GameFAQs|type=/console/neogeo|num=562920|name=''Garou: Mark of the Wolves''}} * [http://www.neo-geo.com/reviews/neo-reviews/motw/motw2.html ''Garou: Mark of the Wolves'' review at Neo-Geo.com] {{Fatal Fury}} [[Category:1999 video games]] [[Category:Arcade games]] [[Category:Dreamcast games]] [[Category:Neo-Geo games]] [[Category:PlayStation 2 games]] [[Category:SNK games]] [[Category:Versus fighting games]] [[es:Garou: Mark of the Wolves]] [[fr:Garou: Mark of the Wolves]] [[ja:餓狼 MARK OF THE WOLVES]] [[pt:Garou: Mark of the Wolves]] [[tr:Garou: Mark of the Wolves]]