It took me 80 hours to complete Lies of P. I all the time attempt to absolutely discover each space, however that isn’t the principle purpose why it took me so lengthy. Your complete recreation I didn’t parry. This wasn’t a acutely aware selection. I didn’t imply to do this sort of problem run. It’s simply in my nature to dodge out of hurt’s means reasonably than face it head on, and in that means, Wuchang: Fallen Feathers felt as if it was made particularly for me.
Wuchang: Fallen Feathers follows our titular protagonist after she has been struck by a illness often called the Feathering. Whereas there are noticeable drawbacks to slowly turning right into a fowl, there are additionally some positives. Each time Wuchang dodges away from an assault at a final second, she positive factors a stack of Skyborn Would possibly. This can be utilized to solid spells and magic, do fast weapon adjustments, or launch quick knockback assaults. Holding onto your Skyborn Would possibly can even improve your energy or stamina restoration relying on the way you construct your character.
Not solely does this centre dodging as the principle fight mechanic, nevertheless it provides to the danger/reward nature that’s key to the style. Wuchang isn’t afraid to throw away basic soulslike components like overencumbrance and a reliance on parrying to tread its personal path. The truth is, most of the weapons that Wuchang makes use of can’t block incoming assaults. This forces the participant to be extra fast-paced and aggressive, so even whenever you fall in battle, you’ll be proper again there not too lengthy afterwards. That is greatest proven by bosses, the place there’s nearly all the time a straight run from a shrine to a boss combat with nobody to sluggish you down on the best way.
There are sections the place you may be beset by enemies always, the place fights really feel relentless, adopted by lengthy sections the place you’re inspired to quietly take within the attractive surroundings. And it’s attractive. The panorama is as lovely as it’s diverse, from snowcapped mountains to lush flowered fields and the intense pink leaves of autumn. Wuchang doesn’t escape the standard darkish, gloomy ambiance of many soulslike video games, nevertheless it does add some texture. Areas can nonetheless grow to be overwhelming; tough to inform which components you’ve been in earlier than and which you’re but to discover, however you’ll finally have that eureka second the place the map suits collectively in your thoughts.
One other means it separates itself is with its ability tree, armour and weapons. With regards to gear the numbers don’t merely improve the additional into the story you go. As a substitute every merchandise has completely different weaknesses and resistances, which means that you just’ll wish to accumulate ‘em all and construct an outfit for each scenario. You’ll put on many alternative units relying on the scenario and every one has its personal area of interest. I simply want there was a strategy to save completely different units in order that I may swap between them extra rapidly.
The ability tree is damaged into the various kinds of weapons and magic, so you may give attention to the weapon that you just vibe with greatest, leaving a lot of the wheel empty. To forestall you from feeling locked to 1 weapon, you may rearrange your stats for free of charge. It could take a while, however similar to your armour, you may swap issues up with no in-game drawbacks to greatest match the scenario.
Due to this bosses really feel very strategic. In case you are struggling to take one down, you may change your armour, weapons, spells, buffs, standing illnesses, and even stats. Whereas it’s nonetheless vital to study assault patterns, one can find that you’ve way more instruments in your arsenal to get out of powerful conditions past simply getting good.
There isn’t an enormous quantity of overt story right here. One can find notes which go away breadcrumbs about your sister’s disappearance, however Wuchang is extra about world constructing. The feathering clearly lends itself to supernatural components, however there’s additionally an actual story of warfare, revolt, and overthrowing the established order. It’s not the focus, however there are some characters that assist you to alongside the best way, and when you assist them, they’ll assist you to out in return.
Wuchang: Fallen Feathers challenges most of the conventions of the soulslike style, whereas nonetheless sustaining its coronary heart. You’ll face difficult fight, tense stretches with no therapeutic and lots of many deaths. However you’ll additionally discover attractive landscapes, new methods to combat and methods to vary Wuchang relying on the challenges forward. It appears like a step ahead in what is a reasonably new and but saturated style, which adjustments issues sufficient to set it other than the gang.
Wuchang: Fallen Feathers is out on July 24, 2025 and will probably be obtainable on PC (Steam, Epic Video games Retailer), Xbox Sequence X/S, and PS5 with a $49.99 price ticket. This evaluate was completed on the PS5 model of the sport with a code offered by the writer.
WUCHANG: FALLEN FEATHERS VERDICT
Wuchang: Fallen Feathers appears like a recent take, forgoing staples like overencumbrance and a reliance on parrying for sooner, extra aggressive motion and gorgeous set items.
TOP GAME MOMENT
Realising I had persevered to a brand new space far sooner than the sport supposed me to, and that I used to be free to discover it.
Good
vs
Unhealthy
Beautiful semi-open world setting with diverse lovely landscapes
Emphasis on dodging over parrying in a special tackle the style
Wonderful pacing the place frantic, high-stress fights are bookended with quiet stretches of exploration
Number of bosses which want completely different approaches with a purpose to defeat them with a clean issue curve
Choosing weapon and armour isn’t nearly ‘quantity going up’ as the most effective merchandise to make use of relies on the scenario
There are rare however noticeable efficiency points on console together with enter lag and freezing
No strategy to rapidly choose completely different armour units, which may result in lengthy and frequent re-equipping sections
Some areas are labyrinthine and it’s tough to inform the place you might have and haven’t been earlier than