- CIRCLEfromDOT’s debut title launches simultaneously on PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch
- Steam User Rating ‘Very Positive’ 95%… Praised as “The Meeting of Hotline Miami and John Wick”
‘Kusan: City of Wolves’, the debut title of K-indie game studio CIRCLEfromDOT, founded in 2018, was officially released on July 30th for PC (Steam), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and Nintendo Switch 2.
Publishing was handled by PQube of the UK, and physical versions were also released for PS5 and Nintendo Switch.
The top-down action shooter *Kusan: City of Wolves* features Jin, a former soldier turned hitman, as the protagonist. Players must protect Haru, a girl implanted with a powerful atomic weapon capable of destroying the city, while simultaneously fighting to eliminate their former commander through a city rife with violence and corruption.
The game consists of a total of 54 intricately handcrafted stages, where players engage in breathtaking battles against unique bosses. In particular, the ability to build one’s own unique combat style by combining a variety of weapons and skills is a key element of the game’s fun.
Mechanical Arm ‘War Hand’ and ‘Quantum Knife’, Action Completed with Tech-Tricks
Combat unfolds with a focus on fast-paced gunplay and close-quarters action. The protagonist, Jin, subdues enemies using his mechanical arm, the ‘War Hand,’ and his melee weapon, the ‘Quantum Knife,’ engaging in fierce battles by appropriately combining firearms and skills.
Each stage features puzzle elements that utilize skills and various challenges, and supports replayability aimed at achieving the highest S-rank. In particular, battles against large bosses employing unique attack patterns are the core content of the game.
The growth system is also differentiated. After completing each stage, players can place various enhancement elements into a grid-like chip system called the ‘Techtrix’ at the upgrade shop, allowing them to configure a strategic loadout that balances the strengths and weaknesses of their stats and skills.
Neo-noir combining a neon-colored pixel art city with hip-hop sounds
The game features a neo-noir atmosphere filled with neon signs, set against the backdrop of a rain-soaked pixel art city. Adding to this is a soundtrack by hip-hop artist Loptimist, which further heightens the tension and speed of the battles.
The story unfolds through graphic novel-style cutscenes. It portrays the narratives of characters wavering between violence, corruption, betrayal, and loyalty through cinematic direction, and the depiction of all characters as anthropomorphic animals adds to the work’s unique character.
“Hotline Miami Meets John Wick”… Successive Praise from International Media
Since its release, the response from international critics has also been positive. On OpenCritic, it recorded an average score of 82 and a critic recommendation rate of 100% based on 12 reviews, while on Metacritic, it received a score of 84.
Korean gaming media outlet INVEN described it as “a work that feels like a fusion of ‘Hotline Miami’ and ‘John Wick’,” praising the developers for realizing their intentions with a high level of polish. Overseas media outlet Gameliner also gave it favorable reviews, describing it as a game that adds fresh elements to the familiar conventions of top-down action.
While some reviews pointed out shortcomings in the difficulty of parrying timing, the final boss battle, and the density of the narrative, it also drew attention with evaluations stating that the high difficulty itself was the intended design of the game and that the sense of accomplishment gained upon overcoming it was sufficient.
95% ‘Very Positive’ Steam User Reviews… A Smooth First Step
On Steam, it recorded a ‘Very Positive’ rating immediately after launch, with 95% of the 61 user reviews being positive. The approximately 45-minute demo version released prior to launch also garnered a positive response from various international media and players, raising expectations.
The game is priced at $11.99, and the launch discount runs until August 13.
Adding the unique sensibility of a Korean indie studio to the lineage of hardcore top-down action represented by ‘Hotline Miami,’ ‘Kusan: City of Wolves’ has taken a successful first step, showcasing a level of polish so high that it is hard to believe it is a debut title. Attention is now focused on whether the positive reviews from the launch can translate into steady sales and user expansion.
Information regarding ‘Kusan: City of Wolves’
| item | detail |
|---|---|
| Developer | CIRCLEfromDOT (Seoul, South Korea, established in 2018) |
| Publisher | PQube |
| Genre | Top-down action shooter |
| Release platform | PC (Steam), PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch/Switch 2 |
| Release date | July 30, 2026 |
| price | $11.99 (Discount valid until August 13) |
| Content composition | 54 stages, boss battles, Tech Tricks upgrade system |
| Soundtrack | Loptimist (Hip-hop Artist) |
| Metacritic | 84 points |
| OpenCritic | 82 points (100% critic rating) |
| Steam rating | Very positive (95%, 61 cases) |
| Official Channel | Official Website, X, YouTube, Discord |
| Steam Page | Shortcut |
