I have been waiting for Joe Higashi to come back for years, and I am happy the developers finally made him central to the game. I like how Fatal Fury allows characters to grow older, unlike King of Fighters where time feels frozen. The glasses are a funny touch, but they also make sense since he now has a student. It is a symbol that Joe is taking responsibility instead of just being the comic relief. The tornado versus rainbow tornado with Preecha is a perfect contrast, because it shows master and disciple in both similarity and difference. The biopic idea also excites me. It feels new compared to the usual arcade storylines. I am glad they gave him voice actors that fit well in both languages, because Joe deserves that respect.

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I like to add humor when I talk about fighters, but I will keep it simple. I think Joe keeping his shirtless look is true to form and also funny in a safe way. Glasses plus bandages makes him both mature and still ready for a fight. The idea of storm moves and tornadoes in a Muay Thai kit is surprising, and I find the combination charming. Preecha’s rainbow-colored tornado is a detail that makes me smile because it shows playful design choices. I also enjoy that the Bogard siblings act as practice opponents in the trailer. It gives the impression that Joe is confident and that his friends support him. I will have fun trying to land a Tiger Kick on Cristiano Ronaldo in the roster for humor and practice.

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I am very happy about the free DLC model. Other companies charge so much for extra characters, and sometimes you even have to buy the same fighter across multiple games. Here, you buy the base game, and you get everyone. That is fair and player-friendly. It is not something we see often these days.I think including Cristiano Ronaldo and Salvatore Ganacci in the roster was always a strange decision. They do not belong in the Fatal Fury universe, and I never accepted them as part of the main cast. For me, this is why Joe’s arrival is such a relief. He should have been there from day one. I am glad I can finally play him and show those outsiders what Fatal Fury is supposed to feel like.

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I honestly thought Joe’s trailer would be saved for Tokyo Game Show. That is usually the moment when companies drop their biggest reveals, so I was expecting to wait a little longer. Seeing it released this early caught me by surprise in a good way, because it means we get to enjoy him without months of waiting and guessing. It shows that the developers really wanted to highlight him and not just bury his return in the middle of a crowded event.

What I also appreciate is how much respect they are giving to the original cast. Terry, Andy, and Joe have always been the heart of Fatal Fury, and it feels like this game is acknowledging that instead of just chasing guest characters or newcomers. They are not just in the background as side characters, but they are presented as legends who still matter. For longtime fans like me, that level of care makes a big difference. It feels like the roots of the series are alive again, even while they try new ideas like the biopic storyline. This kind of treatment makes me excited for the rest of the roster, because if the O.G.s are getting this much attention, then the future of the series looks strong. Joe’s return feels like a proper celebration of where Fatal Fury came from and where it is going.

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I am really happy for all the Joe Higashi fans who finally get to see him return. He is clearly an important part of Fatal Fury, and I can see why people were waiting so long for his trailer. Personally, he is not the character I will spend the most time with, but I respect what he means to the series.

For me, I come from the Street Fighter side. That is the game I grew up with and the one I still play the most. Because of that, the biggest reason I am looking forward to City of the Wolves is Chun-Li. The idea that she is crossing over into Fatal Fury makes the whole release exciting for me in a way it would not be otherwise. Chun-Li has always been my favorite, and I cannot wait to test how her style feels in a different fighting system.

I know this is a Fatal Fury game, but the guest crossover is the reason I am planning to buy it. Seeing her next to Terry, Andy, and Joe feels surreal, almost like two worlds joining together. Even if Joe is not my main, I am glad he is back for the people who love him. My focus will be Chun-Li, and I am counting the days until I can try her moves in this new environment.

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