Wuchang: Fallen Feathers Review – A Brutal Ming Soulslike

I’ll get it out of the way: I have a love-hate relationship with Soulslikes. From my panicked descent into Blighttown to the adrenaline-fueled duels in Sekiro, I crave that cocktail of terror and triumph. So when Leenzee Games unleashed Wuchang: Fallen Feathers on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC on July 23, 2025, I braced for defeat. Forty hours later, bloodied by Ming-era folklore and hooked on its unique twists, here’s why this “lightweight” Soulslike punches well above its weight.

First Impressions: Folklore, Feathers, and Amnesia

You awaken as Wuchang, a pirate-warrior cursed by “the feathering”—a plague that warps people into grotesque birdlike monstrosities. Unlike many Soulslikes’ blank-slate heroes, Wuchang arrives with a built-in backstory that pays off in atmospheric worldbuilding. Haunted merchants whisper of lost gods, and feathery mutants screech in moonlit bamboo groves. The blend of Ming Dynasty grime, Buddhist motifs, and folk horror kept me hunting for every scrap of lore.

World Design & Level Flow

Wuchang’s levels shift from moon-drenched courtyards to claustrophobic, corruption-soaked caverns. I loved uncovering shortcuts through moss-covered pagodas or sneaking along rooftop passages. Yes, the platforming can feel sticky—imprecise jumps cost me more than once—but the verticality and interconnectivity echo the best Soulslikes without feeling derivative.

Combat System: Precision, Patience, and Celestial Power

Combat hinges on light and heavy strikes, stamina management, and a sidestep dodge that demands razor-sharp timing—no roll-spam here. Parrying is tied to weapon traits, so even Sekiro veterans must relearn their spacing. The real star is Celestial Power: perfect dodges and skillful hits build up to three charges, then you unleash elemental might—lightning storms, spectral blades, and more. One miniboss fight saw me chain two perfect dodges into a sky-splitting thunderbolt—she exploded into feathers, and I whooped like I’d just toppled Gwyn himself.

Madness System: Embrace Your Inner Demon

Wuchang’s madness meter ticks upward whenever you slay humans or endure repeated deaths. At maximum madness, her eyes glow red—attack power soars, but incoming damage skyrockets too. Die at full madness, and you’ll spawn a spectral double on your next life, which rampages through foes before fading. It’s a thrilling push-pull: flirt with chaos for an edge, but don’t let it engulf you.

Deep Customization: Tempting the Needle

Progression revolves around “red mercury,” spent at shrines to unlock a visible skill tree. Branches lead to weapon proficiencies, passive buffs, and enhanced Celestial spells—no more guessing your stats. The standout twist is tempering, a form of acupuncture that lets you slot elemental or status effects into weapons and armor, then layer “blessings” for potent synergy. One late-game boss fell apart when I dripped flame across my sword, then detonated Celestial Power for a barrage of embers.

Boss Fights: Ferocity, Fairness, Frustration

Boss encounters strike a careful balance: punishing but rarely unfair. Most deaths were my fault, not cheap damage. A shrine guardian that phased through walls and a feathered warlord whose talon whirlwind shredded my nerves stand out. A few clashes overstayed their welcome when combos misread my dodge input, but each victory carried a sweet high.

Art Direction, Sound, and Atmosphere

Leenzee Games nails a haunting aesthetic. From grime-encrusted Huizhou docks to iridescent plumage on abominations, every texture tells a story. The score fuses erhu melodies with percussive drums, and ambient creaks, distant crow calls, and half-remembered sutras make exploration a sensory treat. It may lack the polish of the Demon’s Souls Remake, but its unique cultural lens more than compensates.

Technical Performance & Accessibility

On PS5, I enjoyed a stable frame rate and near-instant load times—no crashes in 40 hours. Post-launch patches have smoothed several UI quirks. Animations can feel stiff in platforming sections, and lock-on sometimes clings to corpses, but these janks rarely derail a session. Accessibility options include HUD scaling and button remapping, though a few more colorblind or subtitle settings would be welcome.

Rough Edges

• Platforming movement feels sticky—precision jumps can misfire.
• Lock-on occasionally anchors to dead bodies or won’t switch targets.
• Early spell shortcuts demand awkward button combos.
• Sparse dialogue and a muted protagonist may distance you from the story.

Who Should Play Wuchang?

If you live for “I finally beat it” triumphs and crave a setting beyond medieval Europe, Wuchang delivers. Experimenters who love build variety and high-stakes gambits will feel at home. Lore-hounds will devour every Ming Dynasty nod and folktale echo. But if you loathe jank or demand relentless narrative clarity—or if you crave PvP—this solitary trek through plague and myth may feel too raw.

Conclusion: A Dangerous Flight Worth Taking

Wuchang: Fallen Feathers isn’t as polished as genre giants, but its inventive combat loops, madness system, and acupuncture-driven customization push Soulslikes forward. It’s punishing, occasionally confusing, but always steeped in a distinct Chinese aesthetic. If you want safe, look elsewhere. If you crave something new, brutal, and deeply atmospheric, Wuchang is worth every lost feather.

TL;DR

Score: 8/10
A fiercely original Soulslike with creative combat, deep build systems, and a richly authentic Ming-era world. Jank and narrative distance hold it back, but risk-takers will find a wildly rewarding journey.