Few game genres have dominated the last decade as much as the soulslike. FromSoftware created the basic concept in 2009 with the release of Demon’s Souls, before rocketing to meteoric success with Dark Souls and the more recent Elden Ring. Other developers have begun to catch up, releasing acclaimed titles aping the formula, and many of the signature design characteristics have been gradually incorporated into more traditional action titles.
Wuchang: Fallen Feathers represents an interesting development within the genre’s proliferation, given that it comes not from any high-profile western or Japanese teams, but from China. While not an established player in the AAA games space, the Leenzee team from Chengdu proves to be more than up to the task, drawing from the cultural aesthetics of the Ming dynasty and delivering a solid entry into the soulslike canon.
Combat is obviously the main focus, and you’ll be immediately comfortable if you’ve played similar games. Animations are deliberate, forcing you to commit to your choices. A stamina meter governs all of your actions, which means you’ll need to constantly pay attention or risk not being able to evade because you overextended a melee combo. It’s not my preferred combat system, but it functions properly and lays out clear rules for the player. Your stamina can also be upgraded, allowing for a slightly smoother play experience if the default proves too restrictive.
Performing precise dodges will grant you Skyborn Might, a resource that allows you to perform magic and enhances your equipped skills. This adds a bit more flavor to combat, since you’ll be able to attack from range or unleash increased damage up close. I appreciate the developers incentivizing skillful play, but the dodge timing required can feel a bit inconsistent at times. However, this is somewhat negated by your skill tree; certain upgrades will unlock new avenues to earn Skyborn Might, better tailoring the experience to your preferred weapon type.
Leenzee really impresses with their level design. You’ll spend most of your time searching for shrines (where you enhance your character and reset the world state), but that never takes away from the grandeur of the environments. Wuchang is set in a connected world with an impressive variety of locales. The verticality is also admirable, with plenty of secret areas to find should you explore every nook and cranny.
As you progress, you’ll encounter various NPCs who will give you hints about the world or ask you to retrieve certain items. This environmental storytelling represents the majority of Wuchang’s narrative ambitions, mirroring its progenitor, Dark Souls. It’s a technique that has never been my cup of tea, but those who enjoy it will be well served. If nothing else, it will make great fodder for YouTube lore videos.
Playing the game on PS5 Pro, the graphics are noticeably rougher than you would hope for. Character models can appear very pixellated during gameplay, which is disappointing to see in an otherwise gorgeous experience. Thankfully, the frame rate is steady on performance mode, ensuring a smooth play experience. It’s worth mentioning that the PC build was mired with technical issues at launch, though several patches have been released to alleviate these problems.
I’m not someone who has spent a lot of time with games like this, but in my limited experience, it doesn’t seem Wuchang is adding anything meaningful to the genre. It feels like Leenzee set out to create Dark Souls wrapped in traditional Chinese aesthetics, and assuming that was their goal, they should be very proud of themselves. The team’s only previous credit I could find was a VR title, and this game is a significant upgrade in both scope and global exposure. With that being said, other devs have been making games like this for years and have brought their own ideas to the table, making Wuchang feel a bit like well-trodden territory.
Leenzee has built an excellent foundation with Wuchang: Fallen Feathers and proven themselves as worthy competitors in the soulslike space. Although the game may not deliver meaningful innovation, it was able to nail the trademark combat and exploration fans have grown to love. The future is bright for these developers, and a sequel could propel them to new heights.
