Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty brings Team Ninja’s signature high-octane action into a dark, demon-infested reimagining of the Later Han Dynasty. Combining elements from games like Nioh, Sekiro, and Dynasty Warriors, this new title carves out its own identity with fast-paced combat, intense parry mechanics, and a rich backdrop steeped in the lore of the Romance of the Three Kingdoms. While it doesn’t stray too far from the DNA of its predecessors, Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty offers a thrilling experience that will challenge and excite fans of action RPGs.
The Setting: Dark Fantasy Meets History
Set in 184 AD during the collapse of the Later Han Dynasty, Wo Long places players in a world where demons and chaos reign. The story follows a nameless militia soldier battling both human enemies and supernatural creatures while crossing paths with legendary figures from the Three Kingdoms era. Characters like Lu Bu, Cao Cao, and Sun Jian make appearances, adding historical flavor to the fantastical setting.
The narrative focuses on the rise of heroes during their “unknown” period, exploring themes of perseverance and growth. While some familiarity with the Three Kingdoms lore adds depth to the experience, the game provides logs and contextual details to help new players follow the story.
Gameplay: Fast, Fluid, and Punishing
At its core, Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty is a challenging action RPG that thrives on its combat mechanics. The game rewards precise timing and strategic decision-making, relying heavily on a parry system that’s reminiscent of Sekiro. Parrying is essential for survival, as mistimed dodges or reckless attacks often result in devastating consequences. This makes combat intense and highly satisfying for players who enjoy mastering their reflexes.
Weapons and Play Styles
The game offers a variety of weapons, ranging from traditional swords and glaives to dual blades, allowing players to experiment and find a style that suits their preferences. Weapon selection feels impactful, with each type offering distinct movesets and benefits.
In addition to weapons, Wo Long introduces Wizardry Spells, which draw on the Five Phases (wood, fire, earth, metal, and water). These elemental powers allow for ranged attacks like fireballs or ice blasts, adding another layer of depth to combat. Players also have access to Divine Beasts like Zhuque and Baihu, which can be summoned to unleash powerful abilities when morale ranks are high.
Morale and the Flow of Battle
The morale system is a standout feature in Wo Long. Defeating enemies raises your morale rank, making your character stronger and unlocking new abilities. However, dying causes you to lose morale, adding a risk-reward dynamic to every encounter. This system encourages players to carefully manage their aggression and defense, particularly during boss fights.
Speaking of bosses, battles like the epic showdown with Lu Bu are among the game’s highlights. These fights are challenging, requiring players to master mechanics and exploit enemy patterns. However, some players might find the boss variety lacking, and the difficulty could be overwhelming for those unfamiliar with parry-heavy gameplay.
Customization and Progression
Wo Long allows for extensive character customization, giving players the tools to craft a unique protagonist. Beyond appearance, the game offers flexibility in combat builds, although some players may feel that the game’s build variety is more limited compared to Nioh 2. The equipment system retains elements from Nioh, including the infamous “loot deluge,” but the overall impact of gear feels less significant, focusing instead on player skill and mastery.
Level Design and Exploration
The game’s level design blends intricate pathways with wide-open combat arenas, encouraging exploration without feeling overwhelming. Secrets and shortcuts are sprinkled throughout, rewarding players who take the time to thoroughly explore. However, the enemy variety can feel repetitive at times, making some areas less memorable than others.
Despite these shortcomings, the blacksmithing system and upgrade mechanics are straightforward and satisfying, ensuring that players can continue refining their weapons and armor as they progress.
Visuals and Presentation
Visually, Wo Long is a feast for the eyes, offering detailed environments and stunning character designs. The Chinese martial arts animations are graceful yet brutal, lending authenticity to the combat. The art direction strikes a balance between historical realism and fantastical elements, creating a unique aesthetic that sets it apart from other action RPGs.
The sound design complements the visuals beautifully, with an epic soundtrack that heightens the intensity of combat and exploration. Voice acting is another strong point, bringing characters like Lu Bu and Cao Cao to life with memorable performances.
Performance and Technical Issues
While Wo Long excels in gameplay and presentation, it’s not without flaws. The PC port suffers from optimization issues, a common critique of Koei Tecmo titles. Frame drops and stuttering can detract from the experience, especially during high-pressure combat situations. These issues are less pronounced on consoles but still worth noting.
Strengths and Shortcomings
What Makes Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty Shine
- Intense Combat Mechanics: The parry system and fluid martial arts-inspired combat make for a thrilling and rewarding gameplay experience.
- Morale System: Adds a dynamic layer to combat, encouraging risk-taking and tactical thinking.
- Historical and Fantasy Blend: The dark fantasy take on the Three Kingdoms period is unique and engaging.
- Weapon and Magic Variety: A diverse arsenal and elemental Wizardry Spells provide plenty of ways to approach combat.
- Epic Boss Battles: Challenging encounters like Lu Bu stand out as highlights.
Where Wo Long Could Improve
- Enemy Variety: Repetition in enemy designs can make some levels feel less dynamic.
- Build Depth: Compared to Nioh 2, the game’s progression and gear systems feel less impactful.
- Technical Issues: Poor PC optimization and occasional stuttering can disrupt the experience.
- Boss Difficulty Spikes: The reliance on parrying may alienate players who prefer other combat styles.
Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty: Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty is another strong entry in Team Ninja’s library, blending fast-paced action with a compelling mix of history and fantasy. While it doesn’t stray too far from the formula established in Nioh, the game offers enough unique mechanics, like the morale system and Wizardry Spells, to stand on its own. For fans of action RPGs, particularly those who enjoyed Sekiro or Nioh, Wo Long is an excellent addition to the genre. That said, its lack of major innovation and technical issues hold it back from reaching its full potential. Whether you’re here for the Three Kingdoms lore, intense combat, or fantastical setting, Wo Long delivers a challenging and satisfying experience. – Obsidian