Wuchang: Fallen Feathers Has the Potential to Be the Next Big Soulslike

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In recent times, many action role-playing games that blend intricate world building and exploration, rapid dodge-block-parry combat, and captivating albeit grim storylines are often categorized as part of the Soulslike genre, which was initially developed by Japanese powerhouses FromSoftware. Despite the increasing number of titles in this category, new Soulslikes continue to emerge annually, indicating that the sub-genre remains vibrant and innovative.

Studios aiming to establish a unique identity within the Soulslike genre are embracing and revitalizing FromSoft’s three key design principles: world creation, storytelling, and combat mechanics. For instance, Lies of P introduced an original “Lie” system for narrative influence and Legion Arm combat customization. Last year’s hit game Black Myth: Wukong aimed to be cutting-edge within the sub-genre, with its creators touting it as something novel – possibly even “Black Myth”-esque – to differentiate their creation from FromSoftware’s previous titles.

Leenzee Studio is not shying away from the influence of their upcoming debut title, referring to it as a Souls-like action RPG, similar to FromSoftware’s titles. The studio intends to follow in FromSoftware’s footsteps, mirroring their development journey, which progressed from the early Souls games that emphasized world-building through the refined action of Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, culminating with Elden Ring and its multiplayer spinoff. FromSoftware refined and built upon their core foundation, adding more depth to each aspect as they evolved.

In the beginning, Leenzee’s ambitions were deeply rooted, and for their debut game, they’ve chosen to emphasize two key aspects of Soulslike games – intricate world design and intense combat mechanics. The narrative will take a secondary role until the studio feels more secure in its footing. Long term, their goal is to refine and personalize Soulslike’s fundamental elements in every game they create. For now, however, the game Wuchang: Fallen Feathers offers the most depth in world creation and combat mechanics.

The game may not be devoid of an engaging plot. In fact, its environment, a blend of the chaotic fall of the ancient Ming Dynasty and mythological fantasy plagued by a mysterious “Feathering” disease, where the player-character, a victim of the disease with amnesia, struggles to prevent further mutation while uncovering her identity – presents an intriguing premise that promises an enjoyable narrative.

In addition, the storyline of “Fallen Feathers” introduces intriguing gameplay mechanics. The mutation is represented as an inner demon that grows stronger within our protagonist, Bai Wuchang, as he continues to kill. This empowerment of the vessel comes at the cost of his resolve. If Wuchang dies too many times, this demon is unleashed into a physical form. Players must then go back to the location where Wuchang was killed to battle and defeat the demon, also retrieving any lost items in the process.

In the game, the enigmatic Feathering disease shapes the nature of its combat mechanics. Essentially, it’s a condition that can unlock incredible abilities, but it’s not without potential drawbacks. The trade-off for wielding such power – executing devastating attacks, linking melee combos, casting spells – is the increased risk of becoming exposed and vulnerable. Players must constantly weigh these risks and act accordingly in real time. During the fast-paced combat of Fallen Feathers, these elements of tactical awareness suggest challenging trials ahead, or perhaps there’s a high skill cap to surpass before feeling confident in battle. However, the essential skill you’ll need to grasp initially is mastering the dodge. At least, for the time being.

From the gameplay clips shown so far, it appears that the combat in Wuchang: Fallen Feathers leans more towards the precise style seen in Sekiro, but with a heavy focus on nimble dodging. Timing your dodges correctly will grant Wuchang special avian abilities, which are visually striking as they manifest as vibrant feather adornments on her arms. This enables her to unleash the strongest versions of her weapon skills.

In the game named Skyborn Might, this character possesses two types of skills: weapon-specific abilities that she uses based on the weapon she’s holding, and general abilities tied to the category of her weapon. When Leenzee mentions they’re emphasizing the combat complexity in Fallen Feathers, they’re spot on. The prospect of commanding Wuchang in battle is what makes us eagerly anticipate playing Fallen Feathers, and you should feel the same excitement too.

In this game, you’ll find that the system is designed to evolve with your progression. You’ll have access to both light and heavy attacks, as well as the option to wield two weapons simultaneously, switching between them based on the situation at hand. However, as you start playing, you’ll notice that not all types of weapons can be used for blocking. There isn’t a separate parry button in this game either.

Initially, it seemed that only evading attacks was the way to accumulate power-ups, but it turns out that effectively wielding axe weapons and executing perfect blocks is achievable too. Interestingly, by focusing on developing defensive or evasive skills, players can learn to perform perfect blocks that don’t require any Skyborn Might points. Although dodging is crucial for gaining power-ups, these points can later be used for impressive special moves, enhancing the rhythm of well-timed combos. After mastering dodging, the game promotes continuous advancement, keeping players active to unlock more weapons, skills, and abilities.

After mastering timing, battling in the game ‘Fallen Feathers’ becomes an increasingly rewarding journey. The ability to feel the progression so tangibly, along with the introduction of new strategies and abilities, provides a refreshing experience even within a field that we’ve previously described as excessively crowded. The creators of Leenzee have done well in designing their combat system; it effectively combines ease of use with lofty goals.

If you find dodging simple, consider focusing on maintaining an appropriate distance between Wuchang and her adversaries instead. This involves assessing how far an enemy can attack, the range of her weapons, ensuring she’s not too close for vulnerability, and positioning herself optimally to dodge, block or parry effectively before executing a flawless counterattack. These are skills that players may opt to learn, understanding that overall game success is not solely reliant on them.

It appears that Leenzee guides players towards an unique approach to engage with the combats in “Fallen Feathers”, combining both style and efficiency. The creators use motion capture technology to design and execute combat moves within the game. Notably, spellcasting is a stunning visual aspect during the action sequences in the game.

The boss battles in Leenzee’s game offer an impressive visual display, featuring distinct designs and move sets that create a cohesive aesthetic. Their combat seems to be confidently communicating a visual narrative, which is becoming increasingly common among first-time developers. Clair Obscur: Expedition, developed by Sandfall Interactive, another first-time developer, is another great example of a game that combines style and substance flawlessly.

It’s highly likely that Wuchang: Fallen Feathers will be a home run like its Soulslike counterparts, yet it manages to offer something fresh despite being heavily inspired by them. This is particularly impressive for a new team. It’s clear that this game won’t merely mimic the sub-genre created by FromSoftware. The aspects of exploration and world building haven’t been discussed here, but they’ve undoubtedly received as much thoughtful attention as the gameplay and combat.

Overzealousness can sometimes result in average performance, as striving for perfection in every aspect may be. It seems wise for Leenzee to concentrate their energy on improving the combat and world structure of “Wuchang: Fallen Feathers” because, while it offers an expansive, visually captivating sandbox setting, it’s the combat that will likely make this game stand out. The young studio has aimed for originality and advancement, transforming the Soulslikes genre to surpass what FromSoftware created.

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2025-07-04 10:11