As far as Soulslikes go, Wuchang: Fallen Feathers often proves to be derivative more than innovative. In many ways, those who are familiar and experienced with the genre can pick it up and succeed without much time spent learning its ropes. However, that familiarity doesn't stop Wuchang: Fallen Feathers from cutting against the grain here and there, with various systems and design principles that are fairly uncommon and even tradition-breaking in the Soulslike arena. One of its most surprising breaks in tradition comes at the end of a playthrough, when players are given the option to start a new game with its New Game Plus mode.
In its earliest days, New Game Plus was straightforward in that it simply meant players could start a new game with their previously-gained levels, skills, and potentially their gear intact, all for the purpose of giving them more time to achieve 100% completion and a chance to overpower obstacles that might have once challenged them. Over the years, the mode has taken on a variety of forms in different genres, but it has largely remained the same within the Soulslike genre, seeing players starting a new game but with increased difficulty to keep their endgame strengths in check. This is where Wuchang: Fallen Feathers' New Game Plus breaks tradition most, as it allows players to achieve a power fantasy that almost every Soulslike avoids.
How Hard Is Wuchang Fallen Feathers?
Players who have questions about the difficulty of Wuchang: Fallen Feathers, and their ability to adjust it, can find answers in this guide.
Wuchang: Fallen Feathers' New Game Plus Subverts the Soulslike Cycle
Most Games Make NG+ Harder, But Wuchang Makes the Player Stronger
Soulslikes are meant to be manageably difficult and are very much defined by that characteristic, so the further they get from that challenge, the less Soulslike they become. This is ultimately why almost every Soulslike game that features a New Game Plus mode incorporates greater difficulty across the board for subsequent playthroughs (increased enemy health, increased enemy damage, and other variables), as they would be too overpowered for the game's content otherwise.
Wuchang: Fallen Feathers, on the other hand, not only allows players to retain their skills, armor, weapons, and items upon starting a New Game Plus run, but it also refrains from increasing the game's difficulty. This means players are immediately more powerful than the majority of the game's enemies upon starting a new playthrough, and they can essentially breeze through the content in order to unlock Wuchang's various endings, complete any quests they might have missed the first time, and explore optional areas they may have previously overlooked. Additionally, players can grow even more powerful in Wuchang: Fallen Feathers' New Game Plus mode as they can continue to gain levels and unlock skills, as well as increased the effectiveness of some of the items they carry.
A Power Trip That Prioritizes Experimentation Over Escalation
This power trip ultimately leans into Wuchang: Fallen Feathers' emphasis on player freedom and build flexibility, as it allows them to safely experiment with other builds without too much punishment. With Wuchang being more powerful from the start than she was during an initial playthrough, players can utilize different weapons and builds without fear of perishing so easily due to inexperience. This effectively makes Wuchang: Fallen Feathers' power fantasy starkly different from the majority in the Soulslike genre, but it's arguably the better for it.
Wuchang: Fallen Feathers' approach to New Game Plus likely won't sit well with every Soulslike fan, but that seems to be the point. Instead of doubling down on difficulty, it treats the second playthrough as a space for mastery and freedom. Players are encouraged to explore unfinished content, try new builds, and enjoy the full extent of their power without needing to brace for a steeper uphill climb. It's a rare break from tradition, and one that gives Wuchang a post-game identity most Soulslikes prefer to avoid.
Wuchang: Fallen Feathers
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 76 /100 Critics Rec: 70%
- Released
- July 24, 2025
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ / Blood and Gore, Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence, In-Game Purchases
- Developer(s)
- Leenzee
- Publisher(s)
- 505 Games
WHERE TO PLAY
- Engine
- Unreal Engine 5
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG, Soulslike, Hack and Slash
