In Kusan: City of Wolves, precision is everything and a single mistake can undo an otherwise promising run. CIRCLEfromDOT’s fast-paced top-down action game combines a demanding challenge with exceptional neo-noir styling, graphic-novel storytelling and an energetic soundtrack. Our time with the Xbox version was sometimes exhilarating, sometimes frustrating, but rarely forgettable.
Reviewed on Xbox Series X|S using a complimentary review code supplied through Keymailer. All opinions and the score are independent.
A world that makes an immediate impression
Players take control of Jin, a former soldier drawn into a dangerous confrontation with his past while trying to protect a mysterious girl. Rather than relying on generic action-game presentation, Kusan tells its story through striking comic-book panels and a carefully drawn, neon-soaked world.
The graphic-novel sequences were among our favourite parts of the experience. They give the story personality and an identity that feels entirely at home in its gritty surroundings. That character is supported by a fantastic, edgy soundtrack, which lends energy and urgency to the action.
Combat that asks a great deal of the player
Every encounter is built around speed and accuracy. You have little room for error, and the game expects you to learn how best to move, aim, attack and use the tools at your disposal. The result is a demanding experience that can be wonderfully satisfying once it begins to click.
It took us some time to coordinate right-stick aiming with the RB melee input and RT shooting. Under pressure, even apparently simple sequences proved difficult, and repeated attempts did not always bring the rapid improvement we hoped for. At one point, we even unlocked the Xbox achievement for reaching 100 deaths. If persistence deserves recognition, at least the game has a sense of occasion about it.
Initially, those setbacks made us more determined. Eventually frustration began to outweigh the momentum. This isn’t a flaw every player will share, but it is an important factor for anyone who prefers a gentler learning curve.
Why clearing a stage still feels so rewarding
There is a compelling reason to return after a failed attempt: the pleasure of finally getting a sequence right. Building successful kill chains, improving your score and emerging from a busy encounter are meaningful rewards. Most of our attempts received C grades, so the occasional B felt like a little triumph.
The aftermath of combat is part of the spectacle, with wrecked surroundings and debris showing just how chaotic the last few moments have been. The game has a confident sense of style, and it is easy to see dedicated players chasing cleaner runs and higher ratings long after the main challenge stops being new.
An uncompromising identity
Kusan knows exactly what sort of game it wants to be. It rewards technical skill, pattern recognition and the willingness to practise until a once-impossible sequence becomes almost instinctive. Players who enjoy that process are likely to find an intensely replayable action game beneath the striking presentation.
For us, its demanding controls and low tolerance for mistakes made portions of that journey feel more exhausting than satisfying. We can appreciate the craft without pretending the difficulty always suited our personal taste. That distinction matters: this is a strong game for a particular audience, rather than an easy recommendation for absolutely everyone.
Verdict
Coloured Static Press verdict: 78/100. Kusan: City of Wolves stands out through its excellent neo-noir aesthetic, expressive graphic-novel narrative and exhilarating score-driven combat. Its unrelenting difficulty and demanding controls will put some players off, but those who thrive on mastering challenging encounters will find plenty to admire.
What we enjoyed: The graphic-novel presentation, memorable soundtrack, distinctive atmosphere and satisfying feeling of mastering a difficult stage.
What held it back: A steep control-learning curve, repeated failures and stretches where frustration outpaced fun.
Disclosure: Xbox Series X|S review access was provided through Keymailer. Our coverage and score remain editorially independent. Developed by CIRCLEfromDOT and published by PQube. Official Xbox listing.