We awaken as the pirate warrior, Wuchang, inside a quiet cave. It’s curiously reminiscent of the beginning of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, though this time we’re placed in ancient China during the late Ming dynasty, not Hyrule. Both settings are equally breathtaking.

As Wuchang stirs from sleep, we step outside. Before us stretches a gorgeous view. Mist envelops distant mountains and treetops gently rock in the wind. Yet something feels off. Blue feathers begin to sprout from one of our heroine’s arms. Like Link in Nintendo's classic adventure, Wuchang has no memory of who she is.

While descending down a hillside, the atmosphere shifts. The world begins to feel ominous. An unsettling silence falls. A massive claw has ripped through a bloodstained dirt road. This fantasy realm blends with elements of supernatural horror. Suddenly, this stunning landscape feels perilous.

This is due to an outbreak spreading across the land. We encounter a group sheltering inside a large house who warn us about a sickness known as the Feathering. Wuchang has contracted it. If untreated, she will transform into a terrifying creature. Her journey to find a cure and uncover her forgotten past begins here.

Initially, Wuchang seems like any other soulslike title. For the first hour or so, we mess around with standard light and heavy attacks. Learning how to fight involves observing enemy behaviors — something familiar to anyone who’s played Elden Ring or similar titles. Shrines are scattered throughout the world; they restore Wuchang’s health but also respawn every enemy you've defeated nearby. It’s a mechanic fans of the genre will recognize immediately.

However, by the end of my demo, it became clear that developer Leenzee is attempting something fresh within this well-worn framework. There are unconventional decisions — jumping isn’t available at first, and parrying must be unlocked later. While these changes may split opinions, they make combat feel more dynamic and cinematic.

Dodging becomes crucial. Time it right and you can unleash your weapon’s special ability for increased damage. As you advance, new weapons and upgrades become accessible. Exactly how much freedom there is in shaping your own playstyle remains uncertain.

There’s also a magic system that allows you to move quickly around the battlefield and attack from range, making encounters more aggressive overall. In Wuchang, you often take the initiative against enemies, no matter how brutal or difficult they might be.

One unique mechanic highlights this approach. Each time Wuchang dies, a madness meter increases. This makes her more vulnerable to damage but temporarily boosts her offensive power. If you're repeatedly beaten down by a tough opponent, respawning stronger gives you another shot — and encourages an even more aggressive strategy.

Once that meter fills completely, a demon appears where you last died. Slay it and you’ll recover the red mercury (the game’s currency) you lost. Easier said than done — these demons are brutally hard.

During my brief hands-on session, I encountered a couple of boss fights. They were thrilling and felt more approachable compared to others in the genre thanks to better-balanced difficulty. Much about Wuchang: Fallen Feathers remains unknown — just how flexible is character progression? Will the environments offer enough variety? Though these questions remain unanswered, what I’ve experienced so far leaves me optimistic.

The above is the detailed content of 'Wuchang: Fallen Feathers' Preview: This Year's 'Black Myth: Wukong'?. For more information, please follow other related articles on the PHP Chinese website!