Wuchang: Fallen Feathers offers minimal innovation to the Soulslike genre, despite its extensive gameplay. Spanning over 40 hours of combat against grotesque creatures and quirky NPCs, it largely mimics standout moments from superior action titles by FromSoftware without capturing their essence.
Game Overview
Wuchang: Fallen Feathers is an action-focused soulslike set in a disease-ravaged 14th-century China.
- Release Date: July 24, 2025
- Pricing: Approximately $49.99
- Developer: Leenzee
- Publisher: 505 Games
- Platform: Reviewed on RTX 5090, Intel Core i9 12900K, 32GB RAM
- Multiplayer: Not supported
- Steam Deck: Verified compatibility
With lacklustre combat, skimpy outfits, and a barren world, Wuchang fails to capitalise on its few strengths, consistently reminding players of how FromSoftware achieves more. The game seems stuck in a rut, even a decade after Bloodborne’s release, with yet another tale of a monstrous plague requiring a silent hero’s intervention.
A Poor Imitation of Influences
China’s afflicted populace transforms not into werewolves but birds, losing memory and sight, consequently becoming avian monstrosities with immense health pools. The protagonist, Wuchang, partakes in this transformation, gaining formidable combat skills at the cost of her sanity and memory, leading to occasional battles against her dark likeness. Strangely, Wuchang remains doll-like, able to wear provocative outfits more suited for premium cosmetic content, which will be available after launch.
The Challenge with Imitation
While some boss engagements feel reminiscent of Sekiro’s intensity, overall gameplay monotony prevails as recycled mechanics from other established titles raise questions about Wuchang’s originality. Despite being surrounded by a grim narrative, the absence of FromSoftware’s blend of horror and humour results in less engaging storytelling.
Unique Elements
Wuchang introduces a strategic combat feature, where narrowly evading enemy attacks or chaining hits allows integration of powerful spells and unique attacks. This system eliminates reliance on a mana bar, and using Wuchang’s detailed skill tree, players can unlock potent abilities. Investing in one-handed swords grants charges to wield magic frequently, making battles dynamic when effectively executed.
Smooth but Lacking Combat
Outside of boss fights, the thrill dissipates into mundane encounters that often prompt more frustration than strategic thinking. The world is littered with repetitive adversaries, and environmental hazards seem to pull directly from classics, failing to offer anything beyond homage to its predecessors.
A Conflicting World
The dissonance between Wuchang’s scenery and its gameplay evokes a confused identity rather than a captivating universe. Often, it seems more like an Unreal Engine showcase than a cohesive narrative tapestry, preventing players from becoming fully immersed. With disappointing transitions back to uninspired sections, Wuchang feels like a lost opportunity compared to games like Black Myth: Wukong, which leverages martial arts and Chinese mythology to carve a unique identity within the genre.
Ultimately, Wuchang: Fallen Feathers struggles to stand out amidst a sea of soulslikes, burdened by its tendency to mimic rather than innovate.