I certainly agree: No one has shaped the video game landscape over the past 15 years as much as Hidetaka Miyazaki and FromSoftware. From small indie studios to the very largest triple-A studios, numerous developers tirelessly attempt the supposed "Soulslike" recipe for success.
With Wuchang: Fallen Feathers, the Chinese studio Leenzee Games, founded in 2016, is confidently throwing its hat into the ring – they aim to combine tried-and-tested Souls-like action with traditional Chinese culture and folklore.
Tried and tested or worn out?
"Feathers" is indeed the right keyword when it comes to the story of Wuchang . The story is set during the turbulent late Ming Dynasty in the country of Shu, where not only are violent conflicts between warring factions raging, but a mysterious disease is also spreading. This fatal illness robs those affected of their minds and turns them into grotesque feathered creatures.Your adventure follows a tried-and-tested set of rules. This means: You control your heroine through largely linear settings using familiar keystrokes, fight enemies with stamina, uncover shortcuts, rest at "beacons," and regularly take on challenging bosses.
Wuchang 's combat system is reminiscent of titles like Bloodborne or Lies of P. Instead of cautiously hiding behind shields, you're encouraged to nimbly dodge enemy attacks and aggressively strike back.
Whether it's a powerful axe, nimble twin blades, or a balanced longsword, each weapon comes with its own ability, ranging from a swift thrusting attack to a nasty whip strike to the unleashing of fierce volleys of fire. You can also customize your weapons of war with discipline skills that unlock additional abilities and blessings that provide useful passive bonuses.
Of course, you won't only have to deal with humanoid enemies – there are also much nastier monsters waiting to make your life difficult.
Versatile approach to your destination
Most of the time, you should be able to get by with your comfortable build. However, the challenging bosses will definitely tempt you to take a closer look at Wuchang's skill tree. For example, if you find yourself facing an accomplished swordswoman, you'd be well advised to unlock a Sekiro -branded counterattack option that makes blade duels much more accessible.Beautiful world with technology hiccups
Once a boss is down, you can continue your journey seamlessly, as Wuchang is built on a coherent and gameplay-wise interwoven world. Here, too, the team at Leenzee is heavily inspired by the Japanese genre pioneers.Although the world is linear, typical of the genre, it continually invites you to explore off-the-beaten-path. This thirst for discovery is usually rewarded with treasures ranging from useful resources to feathers for upgrading your weapons to new gear.