Wo Long Fallen Dynasty: We’re stocking up on Xbox Game Pass and a future Souls-like PlayStation 5
Game News Wo Long Fallen Dynasty: We’re stocking up on Xbox Game Pass and a future Souls-like PlayStation 5
The big surprise of the Xbox 2022 showcase, Wo Long Fallen Dynasty took the world by storm as it marked a return to the partnership between Team Ninja and Microsoft, which hasn’t been seen since the (finally temporary) Ninja Gaiden 2 exclusivity in 2008. This future action game is set to arrive in Game Pass promises challenges taken in the greatest Souls-like tradition. Less than two months since its release, we see this software already qualifying as “Nioh with Chinese sauce”.
Summary
- Who developed the Wo Long Fallen Dynasty?
- Is it an Xbox exclusive?
- When is the Wo Long Fallen Dynasty release date? Is this coming to Game Pass?
- What is the game story about?
- Is this Nioh 3 in disguise?
- What is the specificity of the gameplay of Wo Long Fallen Dynasty?
- A demanding degree? Ouch! Is there an easy mode?
- Is it an open world game?
Who developed the Wo Long Fallen Dynasty?
Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty is the result of a collaboration between Fumihiko Yasuda (Nioh) and Masaaki Yamagiwa (Bloodborne), a collaboration made possible by the arrival of Masaaki Yamagiwa at Team Ninja following his departure from SIE Japan Studio. Team Ninja is known for releasing iconic games such as Dead or Alive (1, 2, 3, Ultimate, 4) and Ninja Gaiden (1 and 2) when Tomonobu Itagaki was head of the studio. Since 2017, the team of Fumihiko Yasuda, the current leader of Team Ninja, is well known for two very good episodes of Nioh, such as the very effective Soul. If since the departure of Itagaki Dead or Alive and the Ninja Gaiden series no longer has its former glory, Fumihiko Yasuda doubled down on ambitious action projects with Wo Long Fallen Dynasty and Rise of the Ronin.
Is it an Xbox exclusive?
Despite what the title’s presentation might imply during the 2022 Xbox & Bethesda Games Showcase, no, Wo Long Fallen Dynasty is not an Xbox exclusive. This game made by Fumihiko Yasuda and Masaaki Yamagiwa will be released on Xbox Series X|S, PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and PlayStation 4.
When is the Wo Long Fallen Dynasty release date? Is this coming to Game Pass?
Long advertised for “unclear”first quarter of 2023”, Wo Long Fallen Dynasty will finally arrive on March 3, 2023. In addition to the Standard Edition, the Digital Deluxe Edition program includes a Season Pass (three DLC packs), additional costumes, a digital artbook, and game music. Various pre-order bonuses are also included. Wo Long will be available from the day of launch on Xbox Game Pass, Microsoft’s service that lets you play a catalog of games for a monthly subscription price.
What is the game story about?
The game story of Team Ninja is set in a dark fantasy version of the Han Dynasty right after the Three Kingdoms period, a period of Chinese history that begins in the year 220. The player assumes the role of a militia warrior fighting for his survival, whose name has been forgotten from the history books. Pushed to his limits amidst the chaos, he will face the legendary warriors of the Three Kingdoms. Based on this era, Team Ninja wanted to create an epic action RPG featuring the mighty Chinese martial arts, as well as the highlights of this period. The game will not offer branching choices or multiple endings. A lot of lore related information can be found in the adventure docs. It will take around forty hours to complete the campaign according to the developer.
Is this Nioh 3 in disguise?
When announced, Wo Long Fallen Dynasty was often described as a spiritual sequel to Nioh. It’s even been rumored that the title was originally conceived as the new Nioh before becoming a real game in its own right. Team Ninja Team prefers to put aside any eccentric affiliations. Yes, Wo Long Fallen Dynasty will be as demanding an action game as Nioh, but other than that things will be very different. The periods are different, the artistic directions are different and most importantly, the mechanics of the game are unrelated. Nioh is inspired by the samurai where Wo Long gives pride to Chinese martial arts. “Our goal was to really bring this fighting style to life and the fluid action.” the developers explained to us. Team Ninja ensures that the software will be more nervous, faster, and offensive and defensive moves are also important.
What is the specificity of the gameplay of Wo Long Fallen Dynasty?
Unlike other games of this genre, Wo Long Fallen Dynasty didn’t use the stamina bar but a gauge whose balance is at the center of mechanics. When players use special attacks, block attacks, or dodge, their meter increases. When he managed to parry the blow, the latter fell. When the meter is filled to the maximum, the player finds himself powerless. Wo Long encourages you to go body-to-body, guards raise, to deflect opponent’s attacks and create opportunities to strike. If you’ve had a chance to test the demo, you know that the gameplay takes a lot of learning, and the challenges it offers are tough.
Another important point of the gameplay is based on Morale level that affects the strength of the hero, levels that progress according to the battles won. Concretely, the more fights you win, the more your power increases. Morale Level resets if lost. What works for the player also works for the villain: the opponent who kills the hero will see his Morale level increase. However, there is a trick to avoid losing your Morale level in the event of an unexpected death, by using the Landmark Flags to be found in the level.
A demanding degree? Ouch! Is there an easy mode?
No, so far no easy mode is planned. Team Ninja’s Mastermind explains that they want players “have a sense of satisfaction when they overcome the most difficult obstacles”. Exceeding yourself this is”very important for games and genres in general”. If it seems important to the studio to offer a unique challenge for all players, players should be able to overcome obstacles in their own way thanks to the freedom of action offered. Finally, a bit like Elden Ring, you can summon two of your friends for a three-player multiplayer session during a boss fight. This can simplify progression and reduce certain difficulty peaks.
Is it an open world game?
Wo Long’s experience is more open in its universe than Nioh’s, without the open world. The structure offers a search system from the world map. Therefore, the game is based on a mission system like Nioh, because Team Ninja wants players to focus on action and “Fierce battle with as few distractions as possible”. Nevertheless, exploration will still have an important role to play, at least for recovering flags and thus benefiting from the Morale system upgrade.
