Last year, Black Myth: Wukong hit the market and stormed to success, proving that Chinese developers are here to make a massive mark on the games industry. This year, another soulslike with impressive potential is coming that might hit a similar spot with gamers, introducing an all-new heroine with incredible, momentum-driven combat abilities.
Enter WUCHANG: Fallen Feathers, a stunning RPG from Leenzee (published by 505 Games), a Chinese studio headquartered in Chengdu. Everything we’ve seen about WUCHANG: Fallen Feathers looks phenomenal thus far, and the numbers are setting the stage for a stellar performance when the game launches later this month.
Enter the Myth
Many have compared WUCHANG: Fallen Feathers to Black Myth: Wukong. It doesn’t help that the names and operating models of the two games are drastically similar, of course.
However, having connected with the game’s publisher at Summer Game Fest, trialled the game, and stayed in the weeds with all the trailers and promotional content, it’s clear how much Leenzee wants WUCHANG to stand far apart from Wukong.
WUCHANG is deeply rooted in Chinese folklore, plunging players into a dark world torn apart by a fearsome disease. In Fallen Feathers, you’ll assume control of Bai Wuchang, a pirate character afflicted by this disease that gives her untold abilities. The way the affliction works in WUCHANG is insane, as giving in to the disease to increase your power can spawn a terrible boss based on your character.
Fallen Feathers will offer fusions between magic and melee, positioning and agility, and an intense story and exploration mechanics. This won’t be a Wukong clone or a ‘2.0’, but a culturally rich, branching title with multiple endings, deep customisation features, and a foundation that accommodates multiple playstyles.
This is what I’ve gathered from the trailers, promotional content, and an exclusive preview of the game at Summer Game Fest.
Accessibility Unlocked
WUCHANG: Fallen Feathers launches on Game Pass on day one, which almost guarantees it’ll be a hit when it comes down to player volumes. On Steam, the game’s follower count has rocketed to more than 140,000 users, more than two weeks before release.
That’s not a patch on Black Myth: Wukong, which had secured that number a year before release, but it’s still admirable for a new IP coming from an unheard-of studio.
For those fearful of walking into the soulslike ‘trap’, WUCHANG: Fallen Feathers’ early-game bosses are a little more forgiving, allowing players to get to grips with the game before being truly threatened. Also, the combat mechanics are centered more around positioning, strategy, and flanking than they are on dodge-spamming or parrying.
Smut Value
I don’t want to take anything away from the density of WUCHANG: Fallen Feathers, but a mention has to be made to Bai Wuchang, the game’s protagonist. Leenzee went down the route of crafting a traditionally attractive female lead, and as you might expect, she can strut around the stunning map in some very revealing outfits.
If we’ve learned anything in recent years from games like Stellar Blade, which skyrocketed to success when it launched on PC this year, it’s that sex sells. From what I’ve seen, Bai Wuchang’s outfits are more empowering, elegant, and mythical than the bikinis and sultry selections featured in the likes of Stellar Blade, but there’s still a fair amount of skin on show in this soulslike.
It helps that Fallen Feathers features a transmog system, which ensures that players can equip the outfits they desire without sacrificing stats.
Are you looking forward to WUCHANG: Fallen Feathers? Let me know on the Insider Gaming forum and prepare for our full review of the game, which will be released in full on July 24 on PS5, Xbox Series, and PC.
For more Insider Gaming coverage, join the debate regarding the ongoing CS skin craze
Grant has been gaming for 30+ years and in the industry for 10+. You'll probably find him playing a post-apocalyptic game or an extraction shooter somewhere.
More from Grant Taylor-Hill
