Arrival of a New Soulslike in Ancient China

Wuchang: Fallen Feathers is a new soulslike RPG from Chinese studio Leenzee, published by 505 Games, and built on Unreal Engine 5. Released in July 2025 for Windows, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S (with day-one availability on Xbox Game Pass), the game transports players to the plague-ridden land of Shu during the tumultuous late Ming Dynasty.

You play as Bai Wuchang, an amnesiac pirate afflicted by a supernatural epidemic known as the Feathering Disease, which gradually transforms victims into birdlike monstrosities. Wuchang’s quest is to uncover her past and find a cure, traversing a world rooted in historical myth and supernatural decay.

Core Mechanics and Combat Innovations

At its heart, Wuchang: Fallen Feathers follows classic Souls-style gameplay: endurance-based melee, brutal boss battles, environmental storytelling, and hidden paths. It adds unique mechanics that deepen its identity:

• Skyborn Might: A resource gained mainly via perfect dodges (and later from chaining attacks), unlocking powerful weapon techniques and spells.

• Madness Mechanic: As players accrue “heart demon” energy, especially on death, they gain damage buffs but risk creating hostile duplicates of themselves later.

• Clash System: A parry-style mechanic that rewards aggressive play and can heal the player when combined with buffs like Blademaster.

There are 25 distinct weapons across five classes, skill trees per weapon, dual-weapon systems, and 40 unique spells. Character builds are flexible, and respec is allowed.

World Building and Aesthetic

The world draws heavily from ancient Chinese civilization, especially the Shu Kingdom. Inspirations include Sanxingdui archaeology and traditional mythological texts, woven into boss designs and level visuals.

Level design is interconnected with secrets and optional paths, though some areas have been criticized for repetitiveness or linearity. The game features haunting visuals, ambient sound design, and deeply atmospheric locales that capture the decaying beauty of a mystical land in crisis.

Reception: Ambition vs Execution

What Reviewers Praised

• Combat Depth: The Skyborn Might and clash mechanics deliver skill-based, satisfying combat.

• Boss Encounters: Boss fights are creative, with challenging mechanics and memorable designs.

• Visual Style: The Chinese historical fantasy setting offers a refreshing aesthetic.

• Customization: Build freedom, spells, weapons, and respec options make replayability strong.

Common Criticisms

• Derivative Story: Many found the narrative too similar to Bloodborne or Dark Souls, lacking originality.

• Boss Design Issues: Some bosses are resistant to stagger and frequently interrupt combos.

• Performance Problems: Especially on PC, players reported stutters, visual glitches, and other technical issues.

• Repetitive Enemies: Limited variety in enemy types and some uninspired level layouts dragged the pacing.

User reviews on Steam have been largely negative at launch, primarily due to performance problems and unclear unlock systems.

Final Verdict: For Whom the Wings Toll

Wuchang: Fallen Feathers currently sits at a Metacritic average of around 75/100. Critics largely praised its gameplay mechanics and atmosphere, while pointing out weak narrative originality and launch-day bugs.

• For Soulslike veterans who enjoy build variety and culturally rich environments, it’s a rewarding experience.

• For newcomers or players prioritizing polish and innovation, waiting for updates may be wise.

Despite its flaws, Wuchang offers a solid, ambitious entry in the Soulslike genre with potential to soar higher through future patches and balance updates.

Summary Table

Final Thoughts

Wuchang: Fallen Feathers boldly merges Eastern myth with challenging combat and creative mechanics. The game shows a strong foundation in lore, style, and gameplay systems. While it doesn’t reinvent the Soulslike wheel, it adds enough flavor to stand out—if players are willing to overlook early bugs and a familiar story arc.

Whether you choose to dive in now or wait for patches, one thing is certain: the fallen feathers of Wuchang are destined to leave a mark.