During this year’s Summer Game Fest, I sampled an hour-long preview of Wuchang: Fallen Feathers, Leenzee’s forthcoming action title being published by 505 Games. While I typically avoid punishing difficulty in games, this souls-like experience repeatedly demonstrated why I’m no expert in the genre. Were it not for another merciless indie title at the event, this preview might have set my personal record for virtual demises. Though showing some promise, the game didn’t fully captivate me during the session.

Competent But Flawed Souls-Inspired Design

The game’s debt to genre conventions is evident through its unrelenting combat system. Even basic adversaries can eliminate players with sharp strikes, while my own struggles against two bosses highlighted the title’s demanding nature. Beyond the punishing gameplay mechanics lies a recognizable progression system: death causes players to abandon Red Mercury – the resource used for character upgrades – which can be retrieved if players survive subsequent attempts.

A unique twist emerges through the plague narrative, where victims sprout monstrous feathers. This manifests as a madness meter accumulating through both deaths and human kills. When reaching critical levels, retrieving lost resources demands defeating spectral guardians before permanent loss occurs. While initially refreshing, this mechanic introduces additional stakes that may overwhelm players already struggling with core challenges.

Familiar Combat With Varied Execution

Combat proves competent if conventional. Seasoned players will recognize mechanics like dodge-timed counterattacks unlocking special abilities. The weapon trio (sword, axe, spear) provided distinct tactical options through switchable loadouts. Though combat never became intuitive within the demo timeframe, gradual improvements suggested deeper mastery potential.

The experience notably falters through inactive NPC interactions. Players become captive audiences during lengthy monologues delivered through static camera angles. One early temple sequence features a bedridden warrior recounting his tragic backstory without dialogue options, creating narrative engagement at the cost of player agency. While optional, these sequences may test patience through prolonged exposition.

Another frustration stemmed from enemy respawn mechanics. Frequent retreads through cleared areas became tedious, exacerbated by checkpoint placements requiring significant backtracking. While familiar in the genre, this implementation risks repetition even during brief play sessions.

Wuchang: Fallen Feathers will become available on July 24, 2025 across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC platforms via Steam and Epic Games Store.