Now here’s an upcoming game you probably haven’t heard of – Wuchang: Fallen Feathers. It’s being developed by Chinese indie studio Leenzee Games. And it looks familiar. That’s because it’s yet another Souls-like. Don’t get me wrong – that isn’t a bad thing. Souls games are awesome. But this new effort from a previously unknown studio will need to do something really special if it wants to stand out. It’s got the Internet talking, though, which is a good start.
It was revealed a few days ago with the launch of an 18-minute gameplay trailer. And intrigued gamers have been checking out the footage for themselves and wondering exactly what they can expect once the game is released. So, what is this game and what do we know about it?
What is Wuchang: Fallen Feathers?
Wuchang: Fallen Feathers is something of an enigma at this stage. But we do have some idea what it’s about. It’s an action-RPG set in ancient China during the Ming dynasty. As I mentioned, it’s apparently a Souls-like. That means you can expect gameplay similar to popular From Software titles like Dark Souls, Bloodborne and Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice.
The game begins when its (currently unnamed) player character awakens in a cave. She retrieves her (huge) sword and heads into a nearby village. Upon speaking to someone, she is informed a disease called The Feathering is plaguing the village. It drives people insane and causes them to grow feathers. So, it’s likely the main focus of the game’s narrative will be to investigate and eliminate the plague. Along with any crazy, feathery enemies, too, of course.
Wuchang: Fallen Feathers release date
When is Wuchang: Fallen Feathers coming out? Leenzee Games have confirmed it will launch in 2024. That’s three years away – if everything goes to plan with its development.
What did we learn from its gameplay trailer?
During the new 18-minute Wuchang: Fallen Feathers gameplay trailer, we get to see early footage of the game in action. You can check the trailer out for yourself here. It’s reportedly pre-Alpha footage we’re seeing, which means it’s still very early days for Fallen Feathers. And it certainly shows. While the game looks very atmospheric and spooky, something doesn’t feel quite right about the way it plays. Movement looks stilted and animations are janky. Obviously, there’s still plenty of time to fix these issues. But it doesn’t make for a fantastic first impression – even if we are willing to give it the benefit of the doubt for now.
You’ll notice the graphics look really quite good. And there’s a variety of enemy types. We got to see standard grunts with swords and spears, hulking big guys that throw large projectiles or shoot canons, and pesky little foes that sneak up on you. And there are dogs, too. We also caught a glimpse of a snake in the grass at one point, although it’s unclear if they can attack you. Of course, there was the inevitable encounter with a huge, gross boss. We didn’t get to see it play out in full, but it looks to be a familiar Souls-like boss battle. We also know there will be different weapons to use – as demonstrated by the sword, axe and throwable firebombs in the trailer. And checkpoints and fast travel will be available in the form of Wuchang‘s version of Dark Souls‘ bonfires.
Some commenters are calling Wuchang: Fallen Feathers Bloodborne set in ancient China. More specifically, they’re deeming it a Bloodborne rip-off. The reason for this is the player character’s near-identical back-stab and gun parry abilities. Now, we’re not saying it’s a carbon-copy – but you must admit, it all looks very, very similar. If you don’t believe us, just watch the trailer. You be the judge.
What platforms will it be on?
Currently, no specific platforms have been confirmed. As it isn’t due for release until 2024, it’s unlikely we’ll get Wuchang: Fallen Feathers PS4 or Xbox One. Wuchang: Fallen Feathers PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC is far more likely. But we should find out closer to the game’s launch.
What did you think to the gameplay trailer? Does it look like a Bloodborne rip-off? Let us know in the comment section below and don’t forget to check out our other gaming articles…
