Wuchang: Fallen Feathers

Wuchang: Fallen Feathers is a third-person action-RPG rooted in the soulslike tradition. Set in an alternate version of late Ming Dynasty China, the game follows the amnesiac pirate Wuchang, who suffers from a mysterious disease called Feathering. The narrative unfolds across war-torn cities, haunted forests, and myth-infused ruins, blending historical aesthetics with supernatural horror. Core progression centers around gaining and recovering "Red Mercury," the game’s equivalent of souls, with penalties for death managed by a "Madness" system.

Gameplay emphasizes stamina-based melee combat with a strong parry focus, reminiscent of titles like Sekiro and Dark Souls. Players can equip two of five weapon types—swords, spears, axes, dual blades, and longswords—and seamlessly swap between them during battle. Combat is enhanced by "Skyborn Might," a special resource earned through well-timed dodges and attack combos, enabling spells and weapon buffs. Boss encounters are multi-phase and often optional. Strategic dodging, weapon-switching, and parrying are essential, particularly against sword-wielding foes where reactive defense outperforms mobility.

Level design adheres to familiar soulslike conventions, featuring interconnected environments, looping shortcuts, and trap-laden paths. Wuchang introduces novel elements to the soulslike genre such as its Madness mechanic, where repeated deaths eventually spawn a doppelgänger that blocks the player's lost experience. Other elements include cosmetic customization, transmog systems, and scattered narrative notes. There is a big skill tree system with gradual unlocks through different paths and the option to respec at any moment.