As a passionate gamer in the year 2025, I can’t help but notice that the Soulslikes trend from the past decade is still going strong. Even at Summer Game Fest 2025, there were numerous games that either echoed the Souls series to their very core or drew inspiration from it in more subtle ways. Among these, Wuchang: Fallen Feathers, marketed as a Soulslike action RPG, definitely has a familiar ring to it. However, what sets it apart is its daring attempts at innovation – these could either make or break its potential success.
Breath of the Wild, with its panoramic view of the landscape and a transition from the title screen to a descent towards my first main area. Following some initial explanations, I was essentially free to roam and discover this perilous world on my own, trying to decipher the game’s narrative.
Wuchang: Fallen Feathers” is a blend of historical fiction and fantasy, taking place in the Shu kingdom of western China during the waning days of the Ming Dynasty. It’s a world where the Ornithropy disease has run rampant, leading to the emergence of monstrous creatures. The protagonist, Wuchang, is an amnesiac pirate warrior affected by the Feathering, and as she grapples with her lost identity, she also seeks solutions for her peculiar new affliction.
This involves numerous monsters and combat. It offers a dodge feature, light and heavy strikes, and the ability to interchange between two weapons freely. Additionally, there are two weapon-specific techniques assigned to the left shoulder buttons on a controller (LB and LT, or L1 and L2). Given that each weapon has two techniques, and with a good variety of them even within categories like swords, spears, and axes, this leads to a multitude of possible moves. This diversity is controlled by the game’s main feature, the Skyborn Might system, which governs the use of these moves.
In Fallen Feathers, Wuchang places a high emphasis on evading attacks rather than head-on confrontation. Upon a well-timed dodge, Wuchang accumulates a pip of bird energy, enhancing her ability to perform one of her weapon techniques with more potency. However, it’s worth noting that she can still employ these techniques without the extra energy, but their power will be diminished. Additionally, by spending some meter, Wuchang can quickly switch weapons and execute a unique move using her sheathed weapon through the Quick Draw ability.
In my perspective for the game Wuchang: Fallen Feathers, the aim is to create a combat experience that flows as effortlessly as a well-rehearsed dance between two skilled performers, with each fighter gracefully dodging, striking, and moving in harmony. When it’s done right, it’s remarkable. The moment I flawlessly evaded an attack and followed up with a powerful sword strike left me exhilarated. It appears that the developer Leenzee is striving to recognize skillful execution, precision, and timing.
In contrast to other action games, Wuchang’s mechanics are meticulously crafted to transform combat sequences into breathtaking shows, offering an exciting experience for both observers and players alike.
Regarding its design, Wuchang: Fallen Feathers is an excellent game. However, during instances where you’re not skillfully evading and maneuvering, it might seem somewhat limited in its demands. While parrying and blocking are indeed included in the game mechanics, they’re not as prominently featured as dodging. These abilities are still part of the weapon techniques, so you’ll need to interact with the feathered system extensively to fully utilize them.
During an hour, I experienced both incredible successes (highs) and significant setbacks (lows). Reading my opponent’s strategies flawlessly and countering them effectively, reducing their health significantly? That was definitely a high point.
Struggling to solve how to use those same moves in a trap-laden area? Low.
In most Soulslike games, there tends to be a sense of guidance towards a particular playstyle. However, when it comes to Wuchang, I felt more directed towards a specific approach – primarily close melee combat. There wasn’t much exploration of magical abilities or alternative strategies, which are typically what draw players into Souls games.
Another question that lingers is about the storyline itself. I appreciate Leenzee’s dark, alternate fiction setting and the atmospheric ‘feathering’ effect they’ve used. The gameplay mechanic where you have to fight a demon to retrieve lost souls is both intriguing and well-executed. However, the character development didn’t resonate much with me. Only a few non-player characters (NPCs) left an impression, and they weren’t particularly chatty or informative about the game world, except for the eerie character who trapped me in a demonic dream. He was quite memorable.
To be honest, I didn’t find many hooks for immersing myself in the game’s lore or unraveling its secrets, leaving me wanting a richer and more engaging backstory.
After battling various superiors and delving deep into the initial stages of Wuchang: Fallen Feathers, I find myself in a bit of a dilemma. The game’s unique take on the genre and its departure from the typical dark fantasy setting, filled with countless similar titles, truly appeals to me.
Wuchang seems intent to do something just a little different within a familiar space. We’ll see if it works out next month.
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2025-06-13 23:47