WUCHANG: Fallen Feathers Review – A Soulslike That Surprises and Frustrates

WUCHANG: Fallen Feathers by Leenzee Games has arrived to join the growing ranks of soulslike action RPGs. Set in a tragic, disease-ridden version of late Ming Dynasty China, it offers a dark and beautiful world, fast-paced combat, and a host of fiendish monsters ready to end your journey in spectacular fashion.

Combat and Gameplay

Combat is the game’s greatest strength, with flashy combos, unique abilities unlocked from a robust skill tree, and weapons that feel genuinely different to wield. Dodging, parrying, and landing counters gives every encounter a tense rhythm, while magical skills reward skilled play without forcing a mana grind. Each weapon choice leads to different tactical paths, keeping combat fresh and flexible throughout.

However, not everything is perfect. Bosses range from exhilarating to frustrating, thanks to uneven difficulty spikes and occasional “cheap shot” surprises. Some can be a breeze, while others punish the player for tiny mistakes with instant death. Recovery mechanics after being knocked down feel unforgiving, almost guaranteeing follow-up attacks by tough enemies—an annoyance compared to the likes of Elden Ring or Nioh.

World and Level Design

Wuchang’s journey takes her through stunning environments that gradually descend from vibrant villages to places gripped by madness and decay. The world is intricately connected, with clever shortcuts and dense secrets reminiscent of Bloodborne—making exploration rewarding and often dangerous. The atmosphere is rich, blending horror elements with historical fantasy and delivering gorgeous vistas mixed with ghastly sights.

Levels interlock seamlessly and shrines (serving as checkpoints) always seem to arrive at just the right time, keeping the pace moving and rewarding adventurous exploration. Enemy variety stays impressive from start to finish, with terrifying monsters, deformed villagers, and rival warriors each posing new tactical challenges.

Progression and Customization

WUCHANG’s skill tree is one of the best in the genre, loaded with meaningful choices for builds and experimentation. You’ll find yourself respec’ing often as different encounters and environments force you to adjust playstyles and tactics.

The story is atmospheric but sometimes leaves the player wanting more; the silent protagonist angle is intriguing at first but feels like a missed opportunity for character development as the narrative progresses.

Performance and Polish

Performance is generally solid, and the visuals are one of the game’s highlights, combining beautiful art direction with grotesque enemy designs. Minor technical hiccups and balancing issues don’t ruin the experience but can occasionally bring frustration, especially during boss “wall” moments and a few weapons feeling notably better than others.

Final Verdict

WUCHANG: Fallen Feathers excels with creative combat, flexible builds, and a world drenched in atmosphere. While it doesn’t dethrone FromSoft’s best, nor fully escape genre clichés or balancing woes, it stands as a worthy soulslike adventure with plenty to offer fans of tough action RPGs. If you love skillful combat and dark fantasy, and can handle the occasional difficulty spike and cheap ambush, WUCHANG is well worth your time.

Rating: 4/5