Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty Reviews
Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty is an excellent action RPG that offers an even more hardcore take on the increasingly popular Soulslike formula. It's fast, frenetic, and hits like a truck, with one of the most mesmeric combat systems we've ever had the pleasure to master. It might scare off more casual players, but those looking for a challenge, well - you can stop looking.
Distilled from the composite parts of developer Team Ninja's prior efforts, Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty opts to delve deep into the fundamentals of high-stakes combat and delivers a pulse-pumping experience that rewards anyone willing to step up to the plate.
Wo Long is fun, fast, and fluid, with satisfying combat that empowers and challenges you equally. There is style in spades, and while the story is nothing to write home about, you’ll remember the flashy moves and monstrous bosses long after the credits roll. This is a great starting point for many looking to get into the impenetrable genre that is souls-likes, and if the pitch-perfect timing of Sekiro turned you off, Wo Long is here to offer something more approachable.
Wo Long Fallen Dynasty looks like a star that shines at times, suspended between bright peaks of gameplay and technical hiccups.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Yet, although I did enjoy the time I spent with Wo Long, I don’t really want to invest more time into it. And I think that fact alone speaks more than any of my words in this review could ever convey. My main reason for not wanting to jump back in is simply because of its optimization issues on PC. I’ve seen that it suffers other problems on Xbox, such as ridiculously long loading times, whereas the PlayStation version is relatively free from these worries. Which makes sense, given that Team Ninja’s last two titles, Nioh and Nioh 2, initially launched exclusively on PlayStation consoles before. On PC however, it just feels like a bad port. Which, to be clear, it is. I found the overarching experience in Wo Long to be enjoyable on the whole, though I do lament the fact that they chose to develop a new IP instead of making Nioh 3. Despite the optimization issues and random difficulty spikes, I do think that Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty is ultimately good – it just could have been so much better.
Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty offers a cool morale system, leaping attacks, and fresh spins on magic and character customization, though stilted storytelling and underwhelming stage designs prevent it from reaching the heights of other Nioh games.
In the end, it is a game that is worth trying because despite the small details against it, it must also be said that it meets the goal of all products of its kind, that is to entertain. So, if you're a fan of Soulslike, you can't miss this adventure. On the other hand, if you are new to the genre, you should know that the game must be learned little by little in order to enjoy it to its fullest.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
o Long Fallen Dynasty easily rises as a juggernaut of the genre. On the verge of being an unmissable classic.
Review in French | Read full review
Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty adds to the growing list of “tough love” games that mercilessly tear players down before building them back up. To its credit, Wo Long introduces a lot of quality of life improvements that make its journey a lot more accessible and every death not quite as harrowing as it is in other similar games. At the same time, level design and storytelling could also be better. That being said, the combat in Wo Long is among the best and feels quite rewarding once you get the hang of it. It’s a no-brainer for action masochists and folks who love a good challenge.
Although it may not be as inventive and thoughtfully designed as its inspirations, Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty thrives on gameplay that’s satisfying and intuitive enough to win over newbies, while providing enough challenge to keep Soulslike veterans engaged and happy.
The inspiration in Sekiro and the good work with Nioh are clearly seen in Wo Long, which raises a point of difficulty for which only fans of souls will be prepared.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Action fireworks with a great, complex combat system, but technically not always completely round.
Review in German | Read full review
Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty is a thoroughly enjoyable Soulslike with intensely fun combat mechanics, slightly marred by jarring difficulty spikes and by-the-numbers music and sound.
At the end of the day, I absolutely enjoyed my time in Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty, and am raring to go back for more with an additional unlockable difficulty level that has more powerful loot and more challenging fights awaiting. The blend of combat, RPG elements, platforming, and a much more serious and interesting narrative makes for an engaging romp through the ancient lands of China, and aside from some small AI hiccups and design choices, there really isn’t much there to dampen my revitalized love for all things Romance of the Three Kingdoms. All hail the newest and most polished Soulslike to come out in a while.
Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty differentiates itself from Nioh thanks to a few key mechanics, though the experience can feel a little linear and easy at times. Still a fun game for fans of Team Ninja, and faster Soulslikes in general.
A fast paced and addicting action RPG that falls into routine a little too quickly.
While I wasn’t jazzed with Scars Above and the way it tried to incorporate Soulslike elements, Team Ninja has certainly found its groove in Wo Long Fallen Dynasty. It’s very familiar, yet not, and with combat mechanics and a storyline that’ll keep you going. Those new to the genre as fans of Elden Ring might find more instant gratification with the likes of Dark Souls, but Wo Long could certainly cater for a player with time constraits. If you’re uncertain as to whether or not you’d find enjoyment within, don’t forget that this is a day one Xbox Game Pass launch title; a demo is also available on other platforms should you not have instant access.
Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty sets itself apart from Nioh, Team Ninja’s other soulslike series, with plenty of inventive mechanics that thrust you into the midst of a war. But by spreading the action out over various disparate battlefields in second century China, with plenty of chatty characters to meet along the way, Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty loses a little bit of its magic in the process.
Wo Long is a good starting point for soulslike newbies and some needed breather for more experienced players. They won't break a sweat, but their time won’t be wasted. Wo Long has a really well-designed combat system. Pity that nothing else is as good.
Review in Polish | Read full review