There is something very satisfying about a game that knows exactly what it wants to be, and Kusan: City of Wolves certainly falls into that camp. This is a brutal, fast and furious top‑down shooter that wastes very little time getting you into the action.
Developed by Korean studio CIRCLEfromDOT, Kusan puts you in the boots of Jin, an ex‑soldier turned gun‑for‑hire. He finds himself quickly caught up in a conspiracy involving a mysterious girl called Haru and a city that seems to be falling apart at the seams.
Backseat Story
But if you are here for a deep and complex story then you might want to look elsewhere. The real star of the show is the combat.
And what combat it is, as Kusan is all about speed, timing and knowing when to make your move. You blast, slash and parry your way through a series of tightly designed arenas. One mistake can very quickly see you right back at the start of the level.
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There are over 50 stages to work through. While some can be cleared by simply getting from A to B, others throw in challenges, puzzles and S‑ranks for those who really want to master every level.
You also have a rather tasty arsenal at your disposal, with guns, blades and Jin’s War Hand all playing a part. Upgrades allow you to tweak your approach and find a style that works for you. Though due to the upgrade system format you’ll need to make choices about what you have and don’t.
Again and Again
And just like the games it clearly takes inspiration from, dying is very much part of the learning process. You watch enemy patterns, work out the best route and then try again until everything clicks into place.
Visually, Kusan: City of Wolves is another stunner, with its rain‑soaked, neon‑filled pixel art giving the whole thing a cracking neo‑noir look. The comic‑book style cutscenes help push the story along.
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Then there is the soundtrack from Korean hip‑hop artist Loptimist, which brings plenty of bass‑heavy energy to the carnage and fits the action perfectly.
The difficulty can occasionally feel a little punishing, especially when you are trying to nail the tougher challenges. The story doesn’t always have the same impact as the gameplay.
But at its core, Kusan: City of Wolves is a cracking little action game that delivers fast, violent and incredibly satisfying top‑down shooting. It more than scratches that Hotline Miami itch.
