REVIEW – If you think Soulslikes are multiplying faster than pigeons in Central Park, you’re not alone. But while most games keep pecking at FromSoftware’s old breadcrumbs, a new flock—think Stellar Blade, Black Myth: Wukong, Team Ninja’s latest—are all about ruffled feathers and breakneck battles. Wuchang: Fallen Feathers slips right into this roost. Lenzee’s latest borrows plenty of plumage from last year’s Black Myth, and while it sometimes soars, a few truly fowl design choices keep it from ruling the roost. If you’re a Soulslike diehard, you’ll probably ruffle your feathers with joy, but if you’re hunting the next genre phoenix, don’t hold your breath—this is just another hopeful hatchling in an already crowded aviary.

This time you’re tossed straight into the chaos of Ming Dynasty-era Shu, feathers flying and all, as Bai Wuchang—a swashbuckling, memory-wiped pirate—faces the nasty “Feathering” curse. This disease doesn’t just drive people cuckoo; it eventually turns them into ravenous beasts. With society molting and panic in the air, Bai’s journey to find a cure is anything but a walk in the bird park—she’s on a one-way migration toward either salvation or total bird-brained bloodlust.

On paper, the setup has wings, and some side characters are real birds of paradise, but the narrative leans way too much on cryptic item tidbits and blink-and-you’ll-miss-it environmental details. Blink, and you might miss half the plot as it flutters away; the storyline often feels scattered, more wild goose chase than epic legend. Bai herself? Sometimes she’s more a feather in the wind than a true lead—you could swap in a default avatar and not miss a beat.

Still, one thing’s clear: the devs are nesting in their love for this historical setting. Late Ming Dynasty lore, mythical monsters, all brought to life in a way that could ruffle even the most jaded rooster’s comb. The enemy and boss designs, lush environments, and those pagoda rooftops all make this a plumage-rich playground for anyone with a taste for the exotic.

Feathers vs. Blades: Who Wins?

Wuchang’s combat has all the beaks and claws you expect from a Soulslike, but with some extra birdseed to keep you pecking back for more. You’ll scratch out combos, swoop in for heavy attacks, and if you deal enough pain, you’ll crack your enemy’s shell for a satisfying finisher. The standout twist is the Skyborn Might meter—think of it as energy you hatch during battle and spend on flashy skills or arcane tricks. Every weapon has its own unique “egg”—maybe it’s connecting combos, maybe it’s timing those perfect last-second dodges for a talon-sharp bonus. There’s a real pecking order for resource management, and if you don’t keep an eagle eye on your meter, you’ll be left flapping instead of fighting. One flaw? Just about everything in combat gobbles up Skyborn, so you’re sometimes forced into a defensive molt, holding back when you’d rather divebomb straight into the action. Magic in particular often feels like a lame duck next to the hard-hitting active abilities, especially against big bosses. Sure, with the right nest of skills you can fill your meter in the late game, but the balance still wobbles like a chick on a branch. Sometimes, you’ll spend more time waiting to spread your wings than actually fighting.

Still, when the action clicks, it’s pure avian adrenaline. Boss encounters are a real hawk’s challenge, regular foes are varied enough to keep your talons sharp, and there’s a whole aviary’s worth of weapons and skill trees to unlock—every new combo is a fresh feather in your cap. If you’re hooked on combat systems that evolve as you play, you’ll want to perch here for a while.

Going Full Birdbrain

Every battle in Wuchang builds your Madness—push it high enough, and you unlock wild new moves, but your damage dealt and taken both soar. Go fully cuckoo and die, and your Inner Demon will roost at the spot, guarding your dropped loot until you can out-claw your own shadow. It’s a nest egg of risk and reward: push your Madness for more power or chug a calming tonic before you start squawking at the moon? The game’s progression is partly nonlinear—levels weave together like a well-built nest, with Shrines doubling as fast travel. You’ll flap back and forth between a couple of hub areas, picking up side quests that can genuinely change the flock and even the story’s ending. My one molting gripe: some areas feel a bit too compact, with less reason to ruffle through every corner. But the art direction is anything but chicken feed: from temple spires to dank, forgotten burrows, the scenery always feels eggstra and the enemy design keeps your eyes wide as an owl—plus, the game runs smoother than a greased goose on PS5, whether you’re after framerate or fancy feathers.

Cracked Egg Potential

The Soulslike nest is overflowing, but Wuchang: Fallen Feathers still manages to fluff its feathers and strut its stuff. It’s a fun ride, even if a few clipped wings keep it from really taking flight. As a debut for Lenzee, it’s worth a squawk, and with more guts, they might just hatch something legendary next time around.

-Greg Herpai (“BadSector”)

Developer: Lenzee
Publisher: 505 Games
Release Date: September 21, 2024
Genre: Action Soulslike