Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty
- February 6, 2024
- KOEI TECMO GAMES CO., LTD.
- 18h median play time
"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.
Reviews
- Engaging and satisfying combat system focused on parrying and deflecting attacks.
- Rich setting based on the Three Kingdoms era with interesting character designs.
- Variety of weapons and spells that allow for different playstyles and builds.
- Poor optimization leading to performance issues, including stuttering and crashes.
- Lack of enemy variety and repetitive gameplay, especially in later levels.
- The morale system can feel punishing and detracts from the overall experience.
- optimization1,519 mentions
- 11 % positive mentions
- 60 % neutral mentions
- 29 % negative mentions
The optimization of "Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty" has received mixed feedback from players. While some report significant improvements in performance after patches, many still experience issues such as stuttering, frame drops, and crashes, particularly on lower-end systems. The game is often described as poorly optimized for PC, with a notable disparity in performance based on hardware specifications, leading to a recommendation for players to use a controller and adjust settings for a smoother experience. Overall, while the game has potential, its current state may deter some players until further optimizations are implemented.
“After putting the game into performance mode and capping the framerate to 60 to avoid slowdowns, the game was a relatively smooth experience.”
“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.”
“The performance has improved significantly.”
“It's really not a bad action RPG but doesn't live up to the standard that Nioh 2 set and is really dragged down by some pretty nasty performance issues on the PC.”
“The mixed reviews are a combination of an unoptimized initial PC release and people whining that it isn't Nioh 3.”
“One of the worst optimized games in the world; this could list in the top ten.”
- story1,216 mentions
- 15 % positive mentions
- 77 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The story of "Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty" has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it disjointed and lacking depth. While fans of the "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" may appreciate the familiar characters and historical context, newcomers often struggle to follow the narrative due to its rapid pacing and minimal exposition. Overall, the game prioritizes gameplay over storytelling, leading to a perception that the plot is merely a vehicle for combat rather than a compelling narrative experience.
“Getting to play through the same story beats with the same familiar characters is something that hits an unexpected chord for me that has kept me joyfully engaged in the story in a way that people unfamiliar with the three kingdoms tales are likely to experience.”
“The story is a mix of historical and fictional elements, and it does a decent job of drawing on the rich lore of the three kingdoms.”
“The story features various twists and turns, with the player character encountering various characters and factions from the three kingdoms that have their agendas and motivations.”
“The story is complete nonsense unless you are familiar with the three kingdoms.”
“The story is almost the exact same (and I mean literally, the broad story beats are pretty much Nioh, but with a Chinese backdrop), and the loot system is pretty much the exact same, but with a little bit less trash.”
“The story feels pointless and just keeps going on and on and on...which makes going through the story very hopeless.”
- gameplay1,098 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 64 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty" has received mixed reviews, with many players praising its fast-paced combat and satisfying parry mechanics reminiscent of "Sekiro," while others criticize its reliance on a single deflect mechanic that can feel repetitive. The game offers a streamlined experience compared to "Nioh," focusing on aggressive play and fluid movement, but some players find the lack of depth and variety in combat options disappointing. Overall, while the core mechanics are engaging and rewarding, performance issues and a perceived lack of complexity may detract from the experience for some players.
“The gameplay is refreshing, and I wish I could play more, but honestly if you have a mid-spec PC you should leave this one on the shelf until it's had more fixes.”
“The parry mechanic is really interesting and once you get into the pacing it can be very rewarding.”
“The gameplay is a good mix of Sekiro and Dark Souls, with a focus on deflecting attacks that feels satisfying and engaging.”
“The gameplay just felt lackluster, especially as a huge fan of Nioh 2, so I thought I'd wait for more patches.”
“The over-reliance on perfect parries, lack of other viable options, and just general feel of the gameplay make it a deep, deep sale purchase if not an outright pass.”
“The game is significantly easier than Sekiro, so it may be a good option if you are interested in Sekiro-style gameplay but are pushed away by Sekiro's difficulty.”
- graphics533 mentions
- 19 % positive mentions
- 72 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many players noting that while the art style and character designs are appealing, the overall visual fidelity feels dated and lacks the polish expected from a 2023 release. Performance issues, including stuttering and frame rate drops, are common, even on high-end hardware, leading to frustration among players. Despite these drawbacks, some users appreciate the environmental design and the game's aesthetic, suggesting that it may still be enjoyable for those who prioritize gameplay over graphical quality.
“Held off on buying it because of the performance issues the game launched with, but after tweaking the graphics, I can do 120fps consistently on high settings and the game runs beautifully.”
“The graphics and sound design are top-notch, adding to the overall atmosphere.”
“The graphics are beautiful except for the first two areas (which are the demo locations).”
“The graphics are outdated and it is poorly optimized at the top of it.”
“The graphics look a lot older than modern titles as well.”
“The game looks like a PS3 to PS4 title, so if you are looking for visuals over gameplay, don't buy the game.”
- stability147 mentions
- 26 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 74 % negative mentions
The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players noting significant improvements post-launch, while others still experience bugs, crashes, and performance issues. Some users report a smooth experience with no major technical problems, while others highlight ongoing graphical glitches and multiplayer bugs. Overall, it appears that while the game has become more stable for some, it remains inconsistent, with performance varying widely depending on individual setups and updates.
“I have had zero issues with this game after about 40 hours; it runs great.”
“The game had a rough start on PC but runs great now.”
“A solid game that runs great and feels good to play!”
“Tried the game at release and it was very buggy performance/optimization wise.”
“The game is buggy and crash prone; sure it will all fix itself in time, but there are quirky platforms, places to get stuck, and animations that cause some weirdness.”
“This game is just a buggy mess it seems.”
- music119 mentions
- 42 % positive mentions
- 53 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The music in "Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty" receives mixed reviews, with many players appreciating its fitting ambiance and traditional Chinese influences, particularly during boss fights. However, several reviewers find the soundtrack to be forgettable and repetitive, often comparing it unfavorably to the more memorable scores of the "Nioh" series. Overall, while the music enhances the game's atmosphere, it lacks standout tracks that leave a lasting impression.
“The music is amazing and I definitely have to buy the soundtrack!”
“Without a doubt, the music is the game's strongest aspect and a testament to the careful attention paid to audio design.”
“The game’s soundtrack is also noteworthy, featuring a blend of traditional Chinese music and modern sound effects that add to the game’s overall immersion.”
“The soundtrack is painfully generic.”
“The music is nothing to write home about, especially since it reuses songs in every level which was a bit of a letdown.”
“The one and only thing this game has going for it is its music, which is unfortunately paired with boss fights that are no more than 2 minutes in length.”
- grinding118 mentions
- 2 % positive mentions
- 3 % neutral mentions
- 96 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed feedback, with many players finding it tedious and time-consuming, particularly in relation to farming for gear and morale. While some appreciate the improvements over previous titles like Nioh, noting that grinding feels less oppressive, others criticize the repetitive nature of side quests and the RNG loot system, which can lead to frustration. Overall, while the game offers engaging combat and a variety of builds, the grinding experience can detract from the enjoyment for some players.
“Game flow - there is no grinding needed to clear the game unless you really want to max out/perfect your gears.”
“The enemies' stamina gauge isn't too tedious to drain in this game.”
“Farming/grind...if you ever wanted a second job where you do not get paid, then games like this and Nioh are for you.”
“The grinding eventually killed the fun; also, the combat, while top-notch for this genre, is still relatively similar to other souls-like games.”
“The morale system while on paper sounds like a fun new twist on the regular combat, in reality, turns the game into a farming simulator.”
- replayability40 mentions
- 23 % positive mentions
- 60 % neutral mentions
- 18 % negative mentions
Overall, "Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty" offers a mixed bag in terms of replayability. While many players appreciate the depth provided by the companion system, build variety, and the engaging "thousand-mile journey" mode, others criticize the repetitive nature of certain elements and the grind associated with new game plus (NG+). Comparisons to "Nioh" highlight that while it has replay value, it may not reach the same heights, with some players feeling that the game lacks long-term engagement due to its design choices.
“Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty is an action RPG that blends challenging combat with intricate level design, creating a dynamic experience that offers both depth and 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+.”
“The requirement to thoroughly explore levels to find flags can be a double-edged sword; while it adds depth and replay value, some players may find it tedious, especially since flags affect a player's fortitude rank, which determines the baseline for their morale rank upon death.”
“Replayability of it all though is where it will drop off heavily with me rating it possibly a 2 or 3 at best.”
“There are no trackers on missed iron-eating pandas, no tracker on missing golden cicadas... for me, the replay value is practically destroyed.”
- humor27 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is often described as unintentional, stemming from poor voice acting, frustrating bugs, and bizarre mechanics that lead to laughable moments. Players find the experience akin to a "B movie," where the combination of technical issues and over-the-top scenarios creates a comedic atmosphere, despite the game's serious intentions. Overall, while the humor may not be deliberate, it adds a layer of enjoyment for those willing to embrace the chaos.
“For those of us who understand it, a lot of this game is funny.”
“The voice acting in English is hilariously bad.”
“It's a wild and weird experience, definitely fun with a friend, but in a 'B movie', 'laughing at how bad it is', 'rolling with the punches' kind of way.”
- atmosphere15 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is frequently praised for its depth and quality, with top-notch graphics and exceptional sound design that enhance the experience. However, some players feel that despite the strong atmospheric elements, the game lacks emotional immersion and compelling storytelling. Overall, while the atmosphere is a highlight, opinions vary on its effectiveness in engaging players fully.
“Though its story may not be gripping on its own, the atmosphere is so thick you could cut it with an axe.”
“The graphics and sound design are top-notch, adding to the overall atmosphere.”
“Awesome atmosphere and lore helped by well-crafted cinematics and character design.”
“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.”
“- 0 atmosphere, 0 feelings.”
“However, they still lack atmosphere and character.”
- character development14 mentions
- 21 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is highlighted by impressive character designs and a versatile customization system that allows players to tailor their characters to their playstyle. While the aesthetic appeal is strong, with a variety of Asian-inspired designs, some players feel that the narrative and depth of character development are lacking, particularly with side characters who receive minimal attention. Overall, the character design is praised, but the game is criticized for not fully utilizing its potential in character development beyond aesthetics.
“The game’s character development system is also well thought out.”
“The game’s character development system allows players to tailor their characters to their playstyle and preferences.”
“Awesome atmosphere and lore helped by well crafted cinematics and character design.”
“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 copied all of the character design from Dynasty Warriors.”
- emotional14 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional responses to the game are mixed, with some players feeling a deep sense of heartbreak due to the disconnect between the director's intentions and the game's reception. While there are moments of emotional buildup through music and atmosphere, many reviewers express disappointment in the execution, leading to feelings of frustration and a lack of genuine investment in the story. Overall, the game elicits a range of emotions, from appreciation for its potential to disillusionment with its shortcomings.
“It's heartbreaking seeing the appreciative and heartfelt messages from the director juxtaposed with the hate this game seems to receive daily.”
“This game is more heartbreaking than any girlfriend I've ever had.”
“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.”
- monetization10 mentions
- 10 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 90 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game has been widely criticized, with many reviewers labeling it a cash grab due to its high price point and perceived lack of quality compared to previous titles from Team Ninja. Players express frustration over the presence of unbalanced ads and DLC that feels exploitative, while also noting the absence of microtransactions as a small positive. Overall, the game's monetization strategy has left a negative impression, contributing to a sense of disappointment and lack of passion in its development.
“+ no microtransactions lol”
“What a letdown 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.”
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