Wuchang: Fallen Feathers is a new release in the souls-like genre, and despite not being a big fan of the genre, it was still an enjoyable experience. There have been a lot of souls-like games since the beginning of the genre, with FromSoftware’s Demon’s Souls. Since the first game has the word souls in it, that’s the reason for the start of the genre. Demon’s Souls is a must-play game for fans of souls-like games, and it even has a remake.
For a couple of years after the introduction of the genre, FormSoftware was pioneering the genre without much competition. That has changed with the release of games from other developers over the last few years, games like Lies of P and Nioh present the formula of souls-like in a different manner. We will see more souls-like and other RPGs borrowing the concept for souls-like, popping up more frequently.
It could be considered the best time for souls-like games. That’s when Wuchang: Fallen Feather enters the party. It is a game that takes inspiration from other souls-like games while also sticking close to the basics. It’s surprising to see how much change and impact the game is bringing. It begs the question, is Wuchang: Fallen Feathers worth it? Let’s find out.
Expect Difference
One should keep in mind that the experience I had comes from one person, so players need to come to the game based on their own preferences. Your experience can vary, but most of the stuff said is universal.
Background
Wuchang: Fallen Feathers takes place during the Ming Dynasty, putting you in the shoes of Bai Wuchang. She has amnesia, which plays a major part in the narrative. Shu, the country is in a crisis, and things can be different than how they initially seem. A mysterious disease known as Feathering Disease is spreading across the nation. The main character, Bai Wuchang, is also suffering from the disease.
Due to the disease, the infected townsfolk will attack you in sight. Just like other souls-like games, some NPCs will help you on your journey. Villagers can even fight each other if they suspect an infection. Such a mechanism adds a sort of unpredictability.
Narrative
As you progress, your character will slowly regain the parts of her lost memory, which can reveal some interesting parts of the story. However, narrative is not the central part of the game but rather acts as a backdrop for the game. Wuchang: Fallen Feathers is a souls-like game, so this much is to be expected. In a sense, the lore is there to support the gameplay and justify the events happening on the screen.
Just like most souls-like games, there are also side quests that send you off the beaten path. These are tasks that let you fetch or deliver some important items. Most of these quests have no connection with the main story, but certain ones do have a connection. You can also ignore them and won’t miss anything. The takeaway is that the story is functional and fits the narrative. Don’t expect genre-defining stuff since it won’t be something sticking with you for long, in case you are a casual souls-like player.
Combat
Combat is the central focus of the game. Players will have five different weapon types to use. It includes Axe, One-Handed Sword, Two-Handed Sword, Long Sword, and Spear. As you progress, you will find different weapons for each class. However, you can only equip two weapons at a time. You don’t have to go through menus, as the weapon switching can be done in real time. Just don’t expect a combination of both weapons to do combo attacks.
Attacks have a weight behind them, there is no input lag, and hit boxes are accurate most of the time. Each weapon also comes with a special attack. Using the special attack will consume Skyborn Might. Skyborn Might is a resource that can be accumulated through certain combat actions like parrying and dodging. It makes an impact on the skill-based gameplay since reckless gameplay can result in death. It means that Wuchang: Fallen Feathers will reward you for defensive gameplay.
Movement might not be as fast and crisp as Bloodborne, but successful dodges and parries can be followed up by powerful special attacks since it grants you Skyborn Might. It also means that the game will reward you for player awareness.
To top it all off, the game has an extensive magic system that offers multiple spells that can be used in combat. You can also unlock new spells by finding them as you progress. So players can use magical and physical attacks, which can result in combos and immersive combat.
Customization
You can also apply specific material to your items. It gives advantages like better blocking and an increase in damage. There is also the tempering system that lets you enhance character-based elements like agility or elemental effects like fire. Then there is a discipline system, which is different combos tied to each weapon type you find throughout. Though not groundbreaking, these systems add enough variety to keep the experience engaging.
The upgrade system is flexible. At any point in the game, you can reset skill notes, which allow players to experiment even further. Along with all that, you have character trees that upgrade character attributes like health and other stats. Overall, Wuchang: Fallen Feathers places more emphasis on the progression of weapons.
Risk and Reward
There is also a risk-reward system based on the death of your character in Wuchang: Fallen Feathers. It works alongside the defensive elements of the game. Dying will result in losing red mercury, which is required for upgrades. Additionally, your inner madness level will also increase with each death. The higher your madness level, the more damage you take, but you also do more damage depending on your inner madness level. The higher your madness level, the more red mercury is lost.
If you die at a high madness level, a mirror version of your character will appear at the site of your death. You will then need to defeat her to regain the lost Red Mercury. The madness level also plays an important role in abilities and weapons, which can only be usable or more effective at a certain madness level. Basically, the more damage you take, the more damage you do, which adds a risk-reward system to the game.
General Gameplay
It could be one of the most difficult games of the year, but not the most difficult Souls-like game. There are bosses that can push you to the limit, but once you get their pattern right, they can become manageable. Boss design does not lag behind, and it is good throughout. It has bosses that vary in both shape and strategy. The difficulty can be rewarding, and the variety it offers makes it more engaging.
Level design has some inconsistencies. In some levels, the gap was extremely small between the two paths, and yet the game won’t allow you to go through, which is absurd. It can break the immersion and is a sign of bad level design since it breaks fluidity. This could have been avoided by either connecting two paths or not placing enemies in reachable locations. Aside from this nitpick, Wuchang: Fallen Feathers has a good level design in general.
Wuchang: Fallen Feathers has good graphics, even if it seems like the game has not utilized the caliber of Unreal Engine 5 that well. Overall presentation is good across the board with good animation. The details of the environment are also good, and it has some good cut scenes. Soundtracks are good enough that they get the job done and are forgettable for the most part. Just don’t expect a Black Myth: Wukong type experience.
Verdict (Is Wuchang: Fallen Feathers Worth It?)
Wuchang: Fallen Feathers is not a bad entry into a souls-like experience; in fact, it is the opposite. The game’s engaging combat, risk-reward mechanics, and multilevel skill system make it an engaging experience. The idea of the madness system is a new idea for a souls-like game that can elevate the overall experience, making the combat more interesting.
There is enough depth in the game to keep the experience engaging throughout. It is the game that is aware of the genre and is trying to respond accordingly. For players looking for a non-FromSoftware souls-like game, this could scratch the itch. It is the type of game that can leave fond memories and speaks for its merit rather than requiring appraisal.
All that being said, it is a game that sticks close to the idea of a souls-like game and does not take too many risks, and tries to play it safe, but robs it of a unique identity. It is not the type of game that is inventing something new in genre, but it gets the basics right, and that works in its favor.
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Trailer:
