WuChang: Fallen Feathers is a soulslike action RPG set in the late Ming Dynasty. The land of Shu has been plagued by a mysterious illness that is spawning hostile creatures across the land. It seems like the Soulslike genre has exploded in popularity in recent years. Many games, like WuChang, have been implementing faster gameplay with a multitude of choices when it comes to powers and weaponry. This is the modern way to play Soulslikes.
When I first jumped into the demo, I could go wherever I wanted within the map. Right away, I noticed that there was a good amount of verticality and hidden passageways that you could miss. After dying to the same enemy a few times, I decided to explore a different portion of the map. I encountered a different set of enemies, but at times, they could be just as unforgiving. Since WuChang is so much faster than your typical soulslike game, you can make the mistake of getting too comfortable.
I was presented with a frustrating yet entertaining surprise when I died too many times. When I made it back to the place where I died, a shadow version of myself appeared. I was attacked by my doppelganger as well as the enemy that I had been struggling with earlier. If you play your cards right, you can use your doppelganger to widdle down enemies on your behalf. This was my favorite part of the demo. This mechanic encourages the player to be a little more methodical when it comes to their playthrough.
Once I got used to the mechanics, the combo and weapon systems were really cool. You can switch between two different weapons. This helps the player prepare for multiple combat scenarios or preferences. While I struggled with the staff, I had a great time with the hammer. I was glad that we had access to the skill tree during the demo. I think I enjoy this version of upgrading my character compared to the traditional soulslike game. Again, WuChang has a great level of customization that allows the player to enjoy the game the way they want.
If I had to compare WuChang to another game as far as gameplay, maybe take a look at Wo Long or Black Myth: Wukong. If you are a fan of the faster new age soulslike games, WuChang is a game to look out for. The graphics and character models look great. The combat is challenging yet fair. With a highly customizable skill tree, you have the option to play the way that feels best to you.
As of right now, it looks like the game will be released this year. You can stay up-to-date by checking out their site and the Steam page.