- Deep combat mechanics that make you think
- An incredibly stunning environment
- Perhaps the best in the genre
As a seasoned gamer with decades of gaming under my belt and a heart full of skepticism for new releases that seem too similar to old favorites, I must admit that Wuthering Waves has pleasantly surprised me. I had initially written it off as just another Genshin Impact clone, but boy was I wrong!
Now that Wuthering Waves Version 1.4 has been released, it’s an excellent opportunity to explore the realm of Solaris-3 if you’ve already had a chance to do so. It’s a game I’ve long wanted to play but never managed to, and considering this situation, there couldn’t be a more fitting moment to correct what seems to have been a significant oversight on my part!
One aspect that initially gave me hesitation was the fact that I already played Genshin Impact, and I thought that any new game would have similarities or feel like a reskin. However, I found out that this wasn’t the case with Wuthering Waves – it stands in a league of its own. While Genshin Impact is enjoyable, my attachment to HoYo prevents me from saying so without reservation about Wuthering Waves.
Although the plot isn’t particularly innovative, it centers around Rover, who mysteriously wakes up in a desolate location with amnesia, only to discover that he’s destined for greatness. The storyline may not be award-winning, but it doesn’t need to be, given the extraordinary combat system.
An unexpectedly in-depth combat system
Each character boasts an individual attack sequence, unique ability, and ultimate move, plus the typical evasion of enemy attacks to launch yours. To my surprise, there are also intricate underlying mechanisms at play.
Occasionally, enemies reveal vulnerable spots, glowing with bright circles, which temporarily hinder their actions, allowing for heavy attacks. If you successfully weaken an enemy’s defense in this manner, you can unleash powerful final strikes. It’s beneficial to alternate between the three playable characters, as they each have unique entrance and exit moves that grant boosts and increased damage. This requires careful timing, keeping the gameplay engaging and dynamic.
Above it sits the Echo system. Defeating enemies often results in them leaving behind their echoes, which you can gather and utilize. This grants you additional abilities to employ, such as multiple beneficial healing options and a range of buffs. Consequently, this leads to quick and unpredictably tactical battles that I found extremely enjoyable.
Taking the slow plod out of exploration
Wuthering Waves has also successfully improved upon the exploration issues prevalent in this genre. There is still a stamina wheel, a mechanic I will always detest as they drain far too quickly, but beyond that getting around the world is a joy. Especially thanks to the wall run feature making climbing much easier. You literally jog up a cliff face instead of slowly climbing at the pace of an arthritic snail riding a one-legged turtle.
As you progress in your adventure, you’ll gain the skill to glide, which is typical of this genre, along with a collection of tools known as Utilities. Among these tools, there’s a Grapple that helps propel you through the air. It has a lengthy recharge period and won’t send you soaring, but it does provide a helpful boost. Without a doubt, this is the most immersive exploration experience I’ve encountered in a game of this type.
Truly a stunning audio-visual feast without the phone-breaking heat
Another possible best I have seen from the genre is the graphics. The opening cinematic was wonderful, but I was thinking, “ok that’s blown the budget, downhill from here”. The drop never came. The environment continued to be gorgeous. It is not life-changing, you won’t be awed into silence, but it is genuinely beautiful. I never got bored walking around exploring thanks to the looks, and the stellar score playing in the background.
With this action-packed combat and beautiful graphics, I was expecting my phone to be heating up like I was playing in the bowels of hell. To my surprise, it really didn’t, and I sincerely tried to break it.
The graphics were maximized to such an extent that I received warnings, and my phone was set to “high performance mode” for better performance, but despite this, it never got too hot. In fact, it was quite comfortable during the cold winter season. It’s incredibly well-optimized, offering stunning visuals and smooth gameplay.
The best approach to Gacha I have seen
Something I do need to praise Kuro Games for is how well it sets up free players for success in one simple way; you can make a genuinely kick-ass team for free. Rover is a powerful damage dealer who can be consistently relied on, you get given a decent healer when you unlock the gacha tutorial, and by logging in for five days you get a solid sub-DPS. Don’t forget that free 5-star selector you get which includes one of Wuthering Waves’ best DPS characters in Calcharo. You could also pick Verina, a fantastic support who is sitting at S-tier on our
Wuthering Waves tier list
, and deservedly so.
In contrast to Gacha games, where earning money from players appears to be the primary focus, Wuthering Waves manages to break this mold remarkably well. While you can certainly select characters that appeal to you, it’s not a requirement. You can utilize the free party in virtually every challenge with a decent chance of success. This flexibility allows me to stick with my strategies without feeling compelled to adjust them whenever a new character is introduced. Kuro Games also provides codes for additional currency if you choose to try for a specific character, which we’ve compiled in our Wuthering Waves Codes article.
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2024-11-15 16:49