Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty

70%
Game Brain Score Based on 3,059 reviews
  • optimization
  • story
  • gameplay
Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty Game Cover
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"Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty Complete Edition" is an action RPG set in the dark Three Kingdoms era, featuring the base game and three DLCs: "Battle of Zhongyuan," "Conqueror of Jiangdong," and "Upheaval in Jingxiang." These expansions offer new weapons, scenarios, characters, and Divine Beasts, as well as bonus items like the "Qinglong Armor." Immerse yourself in this intense world of strategic combat and historical lore.

  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Cloud
  • NVIDIA GeForce NOW
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
  • Xbox Game Pass
  • x_box_cloud_gaming
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

70%
Audience ScoreBased on 3,059 reviews
story119 positive mentions
optimization302 negative mentions
  • Engaging and fast-paced combat system that emphasizes parrying and deflecting attacks.
  • Rich setting based on the Three Kingdoms period, with interesting character designs and lore.
  • Variety of weapons and spells that allow for different playstyles and builds.
  • Poor optimization on PC, leading to frequent crashes and performance issues.
  • Lack of enemy variety and repetitive level design that can make gameplay feel stale.
  • Simplified combat mechanics compared to Nioh, resulting in less depth and customization.
  • optimization1,061 mentions

    The optimization of "Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty" has been a contentious topic among players, with many reporting significant performance issues, particularly at launch. While some users have experienced smooth gameplay with high frame rates on powerful rigs, others have faced stuttering, crashes, and poor performance even on high-end systems. Recent patches have reportedly improved the situation for some, but many still find the game poorly optimized, especially in demanding scenarios, leading to a mixed reception regarding its overall performance.

    • “Performance issues have been fixed, but you have to mess with some settings... I'm getting 110-120 fps in 1440p resolution on a 4070.”
    • “I didn't personally experience any performance issues while playing on a 3070 at high settings; however, if you are unsure, I'd recommend downloading the demo first.”
    • “The performance of this game is pretty solid now, but on launch it was unplayable for anyone not running a NASA computer.”
    • “One of the worst optimized games in the world, this could list in the top ten.”
    • “Awful optimization even a year later.”
    • “Terrible performance, does not run on even the recommended system requirements, let alone the minimum.”
  • story842 mentions

    The story of "Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty" has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it uninteresting and poorly executed. While it draws from the rich historical backdrop of the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, the narrative is often described as disjointed and lacking depth, making it difficult for those unfamiliar with the source material to engage fully. Overall, the consensus is that the game prioritizes gameplay over storytelling, with many players suggesting that the story can be largely ignored in favor of the combat experience.

    • “The story is fantastic; however, it is not really the best way to present it, and if you are not familiar, you may get lost at times because there are so many characters with different backgrounds, plots, and expectations. NPCs like Hong Jing and the three brothers are fantastic, same as Cao Cao. The music is really good, and there are invasions of other players or NPCs that fight in a great way. You can get allies on your travel and even gather more, which makes it easier against multiple enemies and powerful bosses.”
    • “The story follows close to the Romance of the Three Kingdoms fairly closely, but like Nioh, it changes some things to fit with the demons, and they do it well.”
    • “I really enjoyed the story as well; I've consumed my fair share of Three Kingdoms media, and I am more than happy to add this to the collection.”
    • “The story is pretty poor, but you're never forced to engage with it much.”
    • “The story is lackluster at best and some of the level color scheme choices really degrade from the experience.”
    • “The story feels pointless and just keeps going on and on and on...which makes going through the story very hopeless.”
  • gameplay749 mentions

    The gameplay of "Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty" is characterized by a strong emphasis on a parry/deflect mechanic that many players find satisfying, though it can lead to a repetitive combat loop. While the combat is generally smooth and engaging, some reviewers note a lack of depth compared to previous titles like "Nioh 2," with fewer mechanics and a more straightforward approach to combat. Overall, the game offers a mix of challenging gameplay and unique mechanics, but it suffers from performance issues and a reliance on a single combat style that may not appeal to everyone.

    • “Gameplay is peak ninja; the combat is fantastic, and it's classic old school levels with hidden areas, secrets, and different pathways.”
    • “The parry mechanic feels quite responsive most of the time, and when pulled off with the correct combination of martial arts, it gives you that Dynasty Warriors oomph!”
    • “The gameplay is very entertaining; it does require some understanding of the game mechanics to progress, but it is not that difficult.”
    • “The gameplay just felt lackluster, especially as a huge fan of Nioh 2, so I thought I'd wait for more patches.”
    • “The game is too short, way too easy and has much less mechanics and possibilities compared to Nioh 1/2.”
    • “The gameplay is awful.”
  • graphics380 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many players noting that they are comparable to Nioh 2 but generally feel underwhelming for a 2023 release. While some appreciate the art style and character designs, others criticize the visuals as outdated, unpolished, and plagued by performance issues such as stuttering and graphical glitches. Overall, the game's graphics are seen as decent but lacking the polish and optimization expected from modern titles, leading to a varied experience depending on individual hardware and settings.

    • “The graphics and sound design are top-notch, adding to the overall atmosphere.”
    • “The graphics are great and I have not experienced a wuxia style game quite like this before.”
    • “The graphics are beautiful except for the first 2 areas (which are the demo locations).”
    • “Some animations and visuals look pretty rough by 2023 standards.”
    • “The graphics are outdated and it is poorly optimized at the top of it.”
    • “Graphics look really bad, especially for the hardware requirements I'd say.”
  • stability107 mentions

    The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant bugs, crashes, and performance issues, particularly at launch. However, some users have noted improvements in stability after patches, with their experiences ranging from smooth gameplay to frequent freezes and graphical glitches. Overall, while some players find the game runs well on their systems, others recommend waiting for further updates to address ongoing stability concerns.

    • “I have had zero issues with this game after about 40 hours; it runs great.”
    • “Update: as of yesterday 29/06/23, the game runs great for me; your mileage may vary, however there was the release of the first DLC and with it a number of updates, bug fixes, and stuff.”
    • “Honestly, no issues on my side here; spent a few minutes in settings and it runs great while looking just as good as the demo, if not better.”
    • “Tried the game at release and it was very buggy performance/optimization wise.”
    • “The game itself isn't bad, but the constant performance issues and graphic glitches make it unplayable at times.”
    • “Not only does this game barely hit 30 fps on my 3060 with settings tweaked, but there are an abundance of graphical glitches, stutters, and even crashes to make the experience worse.”
  • grinding90 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it tedious and time-consuming, often comparing it unfavorably to previous titles like Nioh. While some appreciate the streamlined gear transfer and leveling systems, others criticize the repetitive nature of farming for materials and the reliance on RNG for desirable loot, leading to a sense of frustration and burnout. Overall, the grinding experience can feel like a chore rather than an engaging part of gameplay, particularly when tied to the morale system and boss encounters.

    • “The game flow is smooth; there is no grinding needed to clear the game unless you really want to max out or perfect your gear.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “Farming/grind...if you ever wanted a second job where you do not get paid, then games like this and Nioh are for you.”
    • “If Nioh grinding was a pain, then grinding in this game is torture; out of so many set varieties, only 2-3 of them create impact.”
    • “The morale system is dumb... it's an anti-farming, playtime padding tool, so even with your maxed out character, you can't run through a level.”
  • music77 mentions

    The music in "Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty" receives mixed reviews, with some praising its fitting Chinese ambiance and standout boss themes, while others find it forgettable and repetitive. Many players feel it lacks the memorability of soundtracks from previous titles like "Nioh 2," with some describing it as generic or underwhelming. Overall, while the music enhances the game's atmosphere, it does not consistently leave a lasting impression on players.

    • “The audio experience in Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty is truly exceptional, with a soundtrack that rivals even the acclaimed Nioh series.”
    • “Without a doubt, the music is the game's strongest aspect and a testament to the careful attention paid to audio design.”
    • “Music in Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty is exceptional with Chinese historic background themes and standout boss music, making it one of the game's strongest aspects.”
    • “The music is nothing to write home about, especially since it reuses songs in every level, which was a bit of a letdown.”
    • “The soundtrack is painfully generic.”
    • “One of my most disappointing parts personally was the music; Nioh 2 impressed me with its tracks, but very little in this game did.”
  • replayability30 mentions

    Overall, the game's replayability is a mixed bag. While some players appreciate the engaging missions, NG+ modes, and build experimentation that enhance replay value, others criticize the repetitiveness of certain modes and lack of variety compared to titles like Nioh 2, leading to a perception of limited long-term replayability. The addition of DLC and potential future content may improve this aspect, but many feel it currently falls short of expectations.

    • “The 'thousand-mile journey' mode is essentially a fun rogue-lite mode with top tier rewards and even more replayability.”
    • “There is plenty of replayability and experimentation with different builds to be had here, and unlike other games, Wo Long allows you to save tons of stat/build loadouts to be swapped on the fly.”
    • “Very fun game with lots of replayability in NG+.”
    • “If you are looking for another Team Ninja game with a massive amount of end-game replayability, this game falls short of the mark a little, due to the incredible repetitiveness of the thousand-mile journey combined with janky multiplayer support.”
    • “There's nothing original about the game and replay value is low, so I wouldn't recommend it.”
    • “It's far less fun than Nioh 2 (long-term), and it hasn't got the same replayability potential at all as Nioh 2 does.”
  • humor13 mentions

    The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with many players finding the intentionally bad voice acting and absurd gameplay mechanics amusing. While some aspects, like the netcode and NPC behavior, are described as hilariously poor, they contribute to a comedic experience that players enjoy, especially in cooperative play. Overall, the game's humor shines through its quirky design and the shared experiences of players, making for a lighthearted gaming atmosphere.

    • “For those of us who understand it, a lot of this game is funny.”
    • “The voice acting in English is hilariously bad.”
    • “Even with the coop lag that sometimes happens, it's hilarious.”
  • emotional11 mentions

    The emotional impact of the games is mixed, with some players feeling a lack of genuine emotional engagement despite the presence of atmospheric elements like music and stage revisits. While some appreciate the mastery of unique weapons and skills, others find the storytelling and overall emotional depth lacking compared to previous titles, leading to a sense of frustration and disappointment. Overall, the experience is described as a blend of enjoyment and disillusionment, with players feeling disconnected from the emotional stakes of the game.

    • “Time has come for yours truly to provide a small, yet much needed morale boost for Wo Long, since the current 'mostly negative' consensus going around is truly heartbreaking.”
    • “It has all the trappings of emotional build-up and investment (the music, the stage revisit after time passed, the atmosphere) but falls embarrassingly flat and for obvious reasons that I can't believe they actually tried to pass off.”
    • “Such a fun twist to the hardcore bloodbath that is Nioh, playing this game makes me appreciate Nioh a lot more though because with Nioh, you have a lot more control over your character and need to be on your A+ game 100% of the time and that always made me feel like a true warrior.”
  • atmosphere10 mentions

    Overall, the game's atmosphere is praised for its high-quality graphics, exceptional sound design, and effective level design that enhances emotional engagement. However, some players feel that despite these strengths, the game lacks true immersion and fails to deliver a consistently compelling atmosphere. While there are moments of brilliance, the execution can fall short, leading to mixed feelings about the overall atmospheric experience.

    • “The graphics and sound design are top-notch, adding to the overall atmosphere.”
    • “The audio department is truly exceptional, with an amazing musical score that perfectly complements the three kingdoms vibe and atmosphere.”
    • “The level design is just right in scale and atmosphere, and the enemy design and encounters are some of the best in the business.”
    • “It has all the trappings of emotional build-up and investment (the music, the stage revisit after time passed, the atmosphere) but falls embarrassingly flat for obvious reasons that I can't believe they actually tried to pass off.”
    • “However, they still lack atmosphere and character.”
    • “They put money, time, and effort into releasing an announcement and plan to mix content from one of their previous games of a similar atmosphere, and all it was - was an individual enemy.”
  • character development8 mentions

    Character development in the game is noted for its impressive character designs, particularly appealing to fans of Asian aesthetics, but is criticized for a lack of depth in storytelling and character progression. While there is a variety of equipment and customization options, many players feel that side characters lack meaningful development, making their appearances feel underwhelming. Overall, the game excels in visual design but falls short in delivering a compelling narrative and character growth.

    • “The character designs are really great, in my opinion.”
    • “There is a lot of variety of equipment options with the slasher looter play style, giving you some freedom to use what you like, and the character designer is just as versatile.”
    • “Love the main characters' and NPCs' designs; I enjoyed discovering the world even though it was in stages and not open world.”
    • “Some random dudes just popped up in side missions and have their own signature equipment, and that's all for them - a waste of character development.”
    • “Love the main characters' and NPCs' designs, but it's just sad that in the late stages I can't find any gear that is better than what I already have.”
    • “Game runs totally fine but seriously looks bad; it's disappointingly stripped down mechanically from Nioh, and I'm sort of disappointed they just borrowed all of the character design right from Dynasty Warriors.”
  • monetization5 mentions

    The monetization of the game has been criticized as a cash grab, with reviewers expressing disappointment in its quality compared to previous titles from Team Ninja. While there are no microtransactions, the overall sentiment suggests a lack of passion and effort, leading to a perception that the game was hastily produced for profit.

    • “There are no microtransactions, which is a refreshing change!”
    • “I appreciate that the game doesn't rely on microtransactions to enhance the experience.”
    • “It's great to see a game that prioritizes gameplay over monetization.”
    • “What a let down from Team Ninja, clearly the work of some B or C team, and for that price, pretty much a cash grab.”
    • “This game felt like a cash grab compared to prior titles.”
    • “DLC is a cash grab and overall the game lacks the passion that Team Ninja has shown in other projects.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

22hMedian play time
37hAverage play time
10-49hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 30 analyzed playthroughs

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