Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty | Review

Initial Release Date: March 3, 2023

Platforms: PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X and Series S, Xbox Cloud Gaming, Microsoft Windows

Developers: Team Ninja, Koei Tecmo

Publishers: Koei Tecmo, CE-Asia(Asia), KOEI TECMO AMERICA Corporation

Genres: Action-Adventure, Fighting, Hack and Slash

Mode: Multiplayer, Single Player, Coop

Introduction

Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty is Team Ninja’s latest hack ‘n’ slash action adventure RPG that’s basically Nioh and Sekiro’s lovechild. If video games could make babies that would be it’s identity. I have personally played but not beaten both Nioh’s and conquered Ishin, the Sword Saint in Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice.

To me, Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty is better than both Nioh games due to it’s streamlined focus on linear map exploration with it’s Fortitude system. Also, story is better and less convoluted loot menus help. Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty is like Sekiro with it’s deflection stamina break gameplay mechanic.

I loved the latter more than Nioh’s various stances mechanic. With that said, there are some glaring issues that hold Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty back from greatness. Keep reading and I’ll tell you what those are. If you want to watch my gameplay check out my Wo Long Video Playlist.

Presentation

I played Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty via Gamepass on my Xbox Series X in performance mode. Overall, I can’t really complain from a technical presentation. I can’t remember and glaring bugs or glitching. I will say the loading of missions took forever.

Wo Long as far as loading times go it takes the crown this generation for me personally. Frame rate for the most part was a solid 60. Wo Long wasn’t special to look at and borderline ugly at times for a newer current generation game.

Story

Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty for these type of “hardcore” action RPGs had a okayish story. It’s a dark fantasy that takes place during the Three Kingdoms era in China. Wo Long seems to have connections to the Dynasty Warriors games as far as heroes and villains are concerned.

On a side note, check out Dynasty Warriors on Netflix it’s not that terrible of a movie. Okay back to Wo Long. The story focuses around a miracle potion called “The Elixir”.

A old man called Taoist in Black manipulates the warring factions into war fighting for the Elixir. You play as a mysterious hero who can harness the powers of the Devine Beasts. Your goal is the find and destroy the Elixir.

Gameplay

Wo Long’s gameplay is hack ‘n’ slash with it’s main mechanic being deflecting enemies attacks and building Fortitude. You can break your foe’s stamina gauge like Sekiro’s posture damage gauge. Loot is also very important featuring upgrades to weapons, armor and trinkets via a cute panda-like animal.

In Act 3 you unlock the Hidden Village which serves as a hub in-game. There you can visit the blacksmith and talk to NPCs who have side quests. Wo Long’s combat is snappy depending on your character’s equipment load.

Stay in the green always! Lu Bu and the first boss fight where the toughest in the game which requires you to deflect and break down their stamina gauge. Elemental magic and abilities are unlocked through XP points.

I loved the Earth elemental Imposing Slab as it worked great in certain boss fights. As for enemy variety it was pretty good. You had all types from small demons to large two-story monsters. Animal creatures and humans as well. Fortitude besides deflecting is the most important aspect in Wo Long.

Each level has so many Battle Flags and Markers that you must raise in order to level up your Fortitude. The higher your Fortitude the easier all enemies including bosses will be. By the end of the game I was sick of searching for flags and ended up beating the final boss with a 15 Fortitude while the boss’s was higher.

Graphics/Visuals

Graphically and visually Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty isn’t special to look at even on the Xbox Series X. Granted, I could’ve tried out the quality mode but didn’t. I’d say Wo Long looks like Sekiro last gen but a little better than the old Nioh games.

Cinematography within cutscenes and the overall art design of the game did impress me somewhat. Just not within the technical aspect. With all of that said about it’s visuals Wo Long did run at a stable 60 fps on the Xbox Series X. So there’s that.

Sound/Music

I’m not feeling the sound design or music so much in Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty. As for the voiced dialogue shame of me for going with english voice overs. The music just didn’t stand out. Except for some boss fights like say Lu Bu the music wasn’t memorable.

Tips and Tricks

My top tip for Wo Long is to raise your fortitude by exploring all of the maps raising Battle Flags and Markers throughout. Doing the later will make every boss easy save for Lu Bu first encounter. Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty isn’t difficult compared to other Soulsborne types games. Also incorporate the Imposing Slab on bosses. It can melt healthbars fast!

Final Verdict

Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty is a pretty long game clocking in over twenty-five hours just focusing on it’s main story content. Also let it be known Wo Long isn’t nearly as difficult as some of these other “Souls-like” games save for Lu Bu and the first prologue boss.

Wo long is better than Nioh but falls short of Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice greatness. Not to say Wo Long is average. It’s not. It’s above average in quality due to it’s gameplay and streamlined Fortitude approach. Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty is a very good just not amazing. Oh and it’s on Gamepass!