Summary
Yet another Soulslike title has burst onto the scene, and despite some performance issues,Wuchang: Fallen Feathersis looking to be yet another hitwith genre veterans and newcomers alike. There’s a lot to love, and the game has clearly been inspired by some of the best titles in the genre; however, it also boasts more than enough unique elements to stand on its own.
From weapon types to visuals to overall design philosophy,Wuchangtakes plenty of steps in the right direction,innovating on some classic Soulslike systems and introducing new ones as well.It toes a fine line between distinction and similarity, keeping many of the core Soulslike values intact, while still pushing for change in other areas to create an experience that feels familiar yet still has a lot going for it.
7Weapon Disciplines
More Than Just Basic Skills
Like most other Soulslike games,Wuchanghas a long list of weapons and weapon types that allow players to express themselves and experiment with new attack combos and playstyles. However, where the game truly shines is with its Weapon Disciplines, which function as skills attached to weapons, allowing for additional moves and variations beyond the traditional attack patterns.
This isn’t a new concept, but it gets taken a step further inWuchangwith upgraded variants and far flashier skills that do far more than just swing the weapon in a fancy way. Overall, the system feels great, and it adds plenty of extra options on top of an already pretty extensive list.
6The Visuals
Stunning Right From The Start
Being an Unreal Engine 5 game, graphics were always going to be at the forefront ofWuchang’spresentation, and despite somehefty system requirements, the game manages to deliver some pretty spectacular visuals that transcend most other games in the genre.
From sprawling mountains that stretch on for miles to enemy designs that leap off the screen, everything has been meticulously handcrafted, creating a sense of immersion that is often lost in games with lower graphical fidelity.
5Map Layout
Linear Yet Branching Enough
Wuchangis, for the most part,a linear experiencethat sees players following a set path without too many extra avenues for exploration. However, the way areas branch off and loop back around creates a genuine sense of an interconnected world that encourages players to take those secret routes and thoroughly explore every corner of the map.
It also rewards this exploration with more than just simple collectibles or consumables, offering players some decent weapon options and demonstrating that the main path might be the way forward, but side routes contain more than enough content to warrant a look.
4Customization
Outfits And Gear Galore
Aesthetics are everything when playing a game as a sole hero in a bleak and ruthless world. The ability to customize one’s appearance has long been a fan-favorite feature in the Soulslike genre, whether it’s through armor sets, outfits, or physical changes, andWuchangmakes it very easy to pick out specific pieces that the player likes without sacrificing any power at the same time.
Players can equip a piece of armor and alter its appearance to retain its stats while applying a change in how it looks in the world. Aside from that, there are many great armor sets that change how Wuchang looks, ranging from bulky armor sets to elegant gowns, all of which are both visually pleasing and functionally viable.
3The Difficulty Curve
On The Easier End But Ramps Up Nicely
Soulslike games are known for their grueling difficulty and challenging learning curves, often turning away new players due to the lack of hand-holding and steep requirements, even when tackling the first few areas.Wuchang,thankfully, takes its foot off the gasand slowly eases players into the experience with a few simpler foes and bosses, before creeping up its difficulty ever so slightly.
By the middle of the game, players should be pretty well-equipped both in terms of stats and knowledge to take on the rest of the game, and in terms of overall challenge,Wuchangfor sure leans towards the easy side of the Soulslike scale, making it a great game for players who want a slightly less intensive experience.
2Ambient Music
Pulling You Into The World
While traditional Soulslikes like to create an oppressive atmosphere that is championed by an orchestral soundtrack,Wuchangkeeps things on the softer side, at least outside of the bosses, which creates a much calmer and more tranquil feeling that matches the environments the player is traversing.
Things do pick up when the intensity rises, but the way that the music is integrated into the world and the encounters makes everything feel closer and more immersive in a way that few other games in the genre have captured.
1Skill Tree
Options That Have Genuine Value
Upgrades are an important part of any Soulslike, and every game in the genre has its own way of allowing players to level up their character to improve their odds oftaking down the next fight.Wuchanggives players an expansive skill tree that unlocks both passive skills and powerful abilities, all of which have real meaning in the gameplay rather than just simple stat buffs.
The reason it feels so good is that after taking down a tricky enemy, there is nothing worse than leveling up a single stat like HP by one point. Having tangible skills that make a difference in the world adds extra value to every encounter and encourages players to take down every opponent that crosses their path.
