Wuchang: Fallen Feathers Review – Birds of the Same Feather

For more than a decade now, the Souls-like genre has held a significant place in contemporary video game culture. However, a fresh perspective on this challenging and renowned genre has been offered by Chinese developer Leenzee.

Take a look at our Wuchang Fallen Feathers review to find out whether the blend of authentic 3D scans of ancient Chinese landscapes and multiple battle mechanics can establish a unique identity in an intensely competitive market, or if it’s better suited for seasoned developers in this genre.

Terrible Disease, Fantastic Looks

In the limelight stands Unreal Engine 5, and the game Wuchang: Fallen Feathers shines brilliantly. The character models exhibit intricate detail, while the environments brim with captivating elements to explore or occasionally engage with. On my 13th generation i7 processor combined with an RTX 4070 laptop graphics card, with DLSS 2x Frame Generation enabled, I typically achieved a smooth 80-90 frames per second in most regions, albeit with occasional drops during specific scenes, dipping as low as the mid-40s in one particular secure location. Keep in mind that individual experiences may vary, but Wuchang exudes a high level of refinement. The majority of characters are voice-acted, which is a thoughtful addition to enhance the game’s immersion set in ancient China.

The game “Wuchang: Fallen Feathers” is set in the Shu region during the late Ming dynasty, where a mysterious disease called the “Feathering” is causing chaos among the populace. Its cause and the reason it affects some more severely than others remain unknown. In this story, you take on the role of Bai Wuchang, who has awakened with amnesia due to contracting this illness, evident in the feathers that have grown on your left arm. Unlike most infected, you’re able to control your madness. The narrative blends Chinese mythology into game characters, offering a more realistic approach while still incorporating supernatural elements. Additionally, you’ll encounter a chatty panda with whom you can trade – because why not?

In simpler terms, Wuchang is a classic example of a Souls-like game. You’ll likely encounter numerous deaths while learning the ropes, especially during the early stages. It’s filled with elements typical of this genre, such as an enemy suddenly rolling a massive boulder towards you, only to attack after, which might seem familiar or even predictable due to its frequent use in similar games. Despite being a common trope, I found that this game didn’t offer anything particularly innovative in this scenario, giving the impression that the developers at Leenzee Games had a checklist for what should be included in a Souls-like game, with “enemy rolls boulder” being one of the first items on the list.

It’s Certainly Familiar

Certainly! Here’s my attempt:

As a seasoned gamer with more than a decade of experience under my belt, Wuchang definitely lives up to its reputation as a challenging game within its genre. However, I must admit that it wasn’t nearly as punishing as the games developed by FromSoftware. The majority of bosses took me only a few attempts to conquer, and a handful I even managed to figure out on my first try!

Now, part of this could be due to the fact that I have no problem identifying efficient grinding spots and spending extra time leveling up in certain areas. So maybe I was a bit over-leveled for some of those bosses. But if you’re looking for a real challenge, there’s no obligation to upgrade your build or grind before tackling the area’s boss. It’s all about the experience you want to have!

In Wuchang, there’s an abundance of upgrades. Scattered worldwide are prayer shrines, which allow you to replenish your healing supplies, at the price of respawning all non-boss adversaries. These are also the places where you can spend any Red Mercury you’ve gathered from vanquished foes or discovered randomly. The Impetus Repository is where this currency can be used to purchase new abilities, additional stats, and other benefits. If you find yourself low on mercury, you can use certain items to produce more. Since dying doesn’t eliminate these items, it’s wise to only use them before an upgrade, or else you might lose that mercury upon dying again.

In addition to enhancing your character’s fundamental abilities, you can also perform metaphysical acupuncture-like upgrades on Wuchang’s arm with needles. This feature sets Wuchang: Fallen Feathers apart by providing a narrative explanation for these enhancements. Furthermore, you have the flexibility to install upgrades into any weapon; however, remember to re-equip them when switching weapons. The Invoke function enables you to buy one-time use items, but be aware that it increases your madness level. Lastly, the Discipline menu expands the variety of customization options for creating your desired build.

The Dream Beckons

In battle situations, it’s strongly recommended to use parrying techniques. If you pull off a successful parry, you’ll gain a unit called Skyborn Might. This unit has immediate impacts on your weapons, depending on what you’re currently wielding. You can enhance these effects by accessing the Impetus Repository, some of which are specific to certain weapons. The same Skyborn Might can be utilized to initiate special combos or perform a Swift Draw, an action that switches weapons while simultaneously dealing damage. Additionally, parrying or landing consecutive blows on enemies can build up your Skyborn Might and also boost the energy reserves for any weapons imbued with magic. While taking a defensive stance is feasible, it might be more time-consuming as the game primarily focuses on employing offensive strategies.

In the game Wuchang: Fallen Feathers, there’s no feature for interacting with other players online. Typically, this type of game offers options such as invading another player’s game to fight them, or teaming up with a friend in co-op play. However, after some time, you may unlock an AI-controlled ally who can aid you in battles against bosses, providing some degree of assistance and distraction. Unfortunately, this feature is limited to major fights and can’t be used as a substitute for human players. While it shares similarities with the online mechanics found in other Soulslikes, it doesn’t fully replicate the experience of facing unpredictable human opponents. So, if you’re accustomed to playing against real players, you might notice a difference.

For players yearning for an intense, invasion-like experience, Wuchang’s Inner Demon mechanic is the key. As you progress through gameplay, your sanity gauge will rise and fall based on the events unfolding around you. Dying or frequent rest periods will elevate it, while specific items will lower it. Essentially, as your gauge climbs higher, your character gains increased power but also takes more damage from enemies. In case of death with a sufficient madness level, an entity called the Inner Demon emerges near where you perished, safeguarding your echoes or mercury. This replica of your last defeated form poses a risk, as it might be your best build that eventually leads to your downfall. When this happens for the first time, one might mistakenly believe they’ve been attacked by another player, unaware that Wuchang doesn’t offer such a feature. The Inner Demon strikes randomly, offering opportunities to exploit it by having your clone eliminate nearby adversaries or serve as fodder during challenging moments. This intriguing mechanic is skillfully implemented in the game.

Verdict

Wuchang: Fallen Feathers is a worthy addition to the Soulslike genre, offering an experience that may not redefine it entirely, but still offers enough novelty to pique the interest of fans who enjoy this type of game. The fundamental essence of the genre remains unchanged, yet tasteful modifications have been made to broaden the player’s strategic possibilities. Although combat encounters may present some challenges initially, they become more manageable with continued play. If you’ve found yourself craving a change after immersing yourself in Nightreign for too long, Wuchang: Fallen Feathers offers a refreshing new landscape well worth exploring.

Score: 8/10

Pros:

Great scenery, including 3D scans of real-life locations
Fun, varied combat
Dense environmental design, including vertical space

Cons:

Mostly the same feeling as other Soulslikes
Fall animations feel unforgiving

2025-07-23 08:33