From Elden Ring Nightreign to The First Berserker: Khazan, fans of Soulslike games have been treated to some special ones. Adding to an already busy year in the genre is Wuchang: Fallen Feathers, which comes from Chinese developer Leenzee Games. Taking place during an alternate version of the Ming dynasty, the studio delivers a unique Soulslike that is well worth playing despite a few flaws.
There are three major and immediate differences that differentiate Wuchang from a lot of Soulslikes: 1) the story it tells is filled with dialogue and told traditionally rather than vague worldbuilding; 2) there is a focus on dodging rather than parrying attacks; 3) there is a true sense of fluidity in the combat rather than having stiff attacks. These changes mostly work in Wuchang’s favor, as the story isn’t anything to really write home about, but the unique combat points really help the game stand on its own rather than always be compared to the stalwarts of the genre.
Over time, players learn to master using Skyborn Might, a resource that allows you to cast spells and deliver some wicked-looking special attacks. This is primarily built via dodging, thus its importance, although skill trees will allow you to add other ways of gaining it. There’s a real sense of customizability in the game, as its weapons feel quite different from one another (I settled on using axes as they are great at breaking your foes’ stance). You can also reset the skill tree, so be sure to explore often and find a play style that works best for you. This experimentation winds up being nearly as fun as finally overcoming some of the game’s harder bosses.
The other real standout is Wuchang’s portrayal of China, which is full of war and a plague called feathering. The art design is truly striking, and it regularly wows visually. It’s a shame that the story never fully grabbed me, and that it winds up having quite a few hard-to-understand ending branches, so you’ll likely have an unsatisfying conclusion to your first run unless you look up a guide. But even the unsatisfying aspects of the game can’t get in the way of its high points.
Wuchang: Fallen Feathers also unfortunately launched with quite a few tech issues on PlayStation 5 Pro, which is also where I played. Having seen the game undergo updates since launch, and with more to come, it’s clear the developer is hard at work making it a better experience. Currently, players can expect some frame rate hits and some graphical issues. Excitingly, there are a number of smart gameplay additions coming, such as lowering the time that heals take, so those who wait a bit for the next patch will be rewarded.
Wuchang: Fallen Feathers Review: Final Verdict
Developer Leenzee has done a great job of putting its own spin on the Souls formula without it feeling derivative and a lesser experience. The focus on dodging rather than parrying attacks, especially when paired with the more fluid attacks, creates a fun combat system that holds your attention all the way through. Its alternate history version of China is also a highlight, and it’s an impressive effort by a team that is talented and willing to lean into its unique voice.
SCORE: 7.5/10
As ComingSoon’s review policy explains, a score of 7.5 equates to “Good.” A successful piece of entertainment that is worth checking out, but it may not appeal to everyone.
Disclosure: The publisher provided a PlayStation 5 copy for our Wuchang: Fallen Feathers review.
