WUCHANG: Fallen Feathers – Beauty and Brutality in Plague-Stricken China

A new challenger enters the Soulslike arena

China’s Leenzee Games makes a bold entrance into the action RPG genre with WUCHANG: Fallen Feathers, a brooding, atmospheric Soulslike set in the dying days of the Ming dynasty. Available now on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S — and also on Game Pass — this is one for fans of Sekiro and Lies of P. But it’s not just another FromSoftware clone. With a setting rooted in Chinese folklore and philosophy, WUCHANG brings something distinct to the table, even if it stumbles along the way.

A myth-soaked journey through chaos and decay

You play as Bai Wuchang, a warrior cursed with amnesia and a mysterious feathered affliction. Your path takes you across ruined villages, corrupted temples, and snow-draped mountains as you battle the spread of the so-called “Feathering Disease”, a plague that twists both body and mind. The narrative is light on exposition but heavy on atmosphere. Environmental storytelling carries the weight here, and WUCHANG does an excellent job of building a world that feels both mystical and melancholic.

Satisfying combat, but not without its flaws

Combat is where Fallen Feathers shines. With over two dozen weapons, five distinct disciplines, and a parry/dodge mechanic that rewards precision, every encounter feels weighty. Spells and magical enhancements allow for surprising depth, and the skill tree is refreshingly flexible, you’re encouraged to experiment. However, boss balance can feel inconsistent, and pacing issues in some areas may test your patience. Still, the game’s core mechanics offer more than enough for die-hard Soulslike fans to dig into.

Gorgeous worldbuilding meets rough performance

There’s no denying WUCHANG is visually stunning. From decaying palaces to eerie, mist-covered forests, the game delivers memorable vistas and haunting creature designs. The soundtrack, heavy with traditional Chinese instrumentation, only adds to the immersion. Unfortunately, the PC version suffers from technical hiccups. Performance stuttering, crashes, and long load times have been widely reported, and while patches are underway, it’s clear the game needed a bit more time in the oven before launch.

Should you play it?

If you’re a Soulslike veteran hungry for something new, WUCHANG: Fallen Feathers is well worth your time, especially on console or Game Pass, where performance is smoother. It’s rough around the edges, but the setting, art direction, and combat system make it stand out in an increasingly crowded genre. And with multiple endings and a hefty campaign clocking in at over 30 hours, there’s plenty of plague-ridden mystery to uncover.