Jake Yeom, CEO / Game Designer at CIRCLEfromDOT July 31, 2026 · 4 min read [https://x.com/intent/post?url=https%3A%2F%2Fnews.xbox.com%2Fen-us%2F2026%2F07%2F31%2Fhow-to-smash-slash-and-shoot-your-way-to-victory%2F&text=How%20to%20Smash%2C%20Slash%2C%20and%20Shoot%20Your%20Way%20to%20Victory%20in%20Kusan%3A%20City%20of%20Wolves]

Hi, I’m Jake Yeom, CEO and Game Designer at CIRCLEfromDOT, a Korean development team working on our first game – the high-octane hardcore top-down shooter, Kusan: City of Wolves [https://www.xbox.com/en-us/games/store/kusan-city-of-wolves/9pn265mpjwxd].

You play as Jin in Kusan: City of Wolves, an ex-solider turned gun-for-hire living in the heart of a city where the line between predator and prey has already been crossed. This isn’t just another job though, a mysterious girl fitted with a city-grade atomic weapon is linked to a violent conspiracy that threatens to shift the balance of power. As chaos erupts, Jin must cross every line to save the girl, confront his past and the betrayal of a commander he once trusted without question.

One wrong move means death, so you’ll need precision, style, and the right skills to succeed. While I am excited to see how everyone tackles the game, I wanted to share some tips to help get you started as you venture into the neon–soaked streets of Kusan.

Death is Part of the Process

The enemies you’ll face in Kusan: City of Wolves don’t hold back, so don’t be afraid to die! The game is designed around learning through failure, with each death teaching you something new. Stay aggressive, keep experimenting, and don’t be discouraged if you fail. If one approach isn’t working, learn from your last run and try something different!

Experiment with Your Loadout

You’ll encounter many different enemy types, from grunts to bosses, throughout your time in Kusan: City of Wolves and there isn’t always a single ‘correct’ way to deal with them. Thankfully, Jin is equipped with a range of different weapons, including the Quantum Knife, the War Hand, Pistol, Revolver, Shotgun and Crossbow. With plenty of weapons, abilities and upgrades for you to choose from, you can experiment to find those you prefer, and then build a loadout that fits your playstyle. Switching up your arsenal may help you overcome challenges that have previously blocked you from progressing, or help you score the impressive SS rank.

Finding an efficient strategy that matches your playstyle, and refining it through repeated attempts, is one of the most rewarding parts of the game.

Tackling the Techtrix

Early in the game, you will learn about the Techtrix – the system where you are able to upgrade your weapons and abilities, and equip them for loadout. The first skill you pick can make a big difference to your gameplay, so I have a few recommendations depending on your preferred playstyle.

- Quick Step. This upgrade is ideal for you if you like to play action gamesaggressively,...