One key innovation makes Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty a gateway into soulslike games

Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty
(Image credit: Koei Tecmo)

I love a game with a good parry system. Whether it be the frame-perfect execution of nullifying an attack in Street Fighter 6, or rapid katana deflections in Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance, parries are the most satisfying defensive tool there is for those who want to stay on the offensive.

Along comes Team Ninja’s Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty, a soulslike that puts a demonic twist on Three Kingdoms-era China, all with a heavy focus on rapid combat and split-second parries. And while the game’s source of inspiration, FromSoftware’s Soulsborne games, have always featured a parry system, it’s usually tied to deflecting attacks with shields under very strict timing.

Pulling off parries in FromSoftware’s games, like Dark Souls and Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, always feels fantastic. However, it can only be done reliably if you’re intimate with any given enemy or boss’s animations and timing. Conversely, Wo Long lowers the barrier for entry to one of my favorite gameplay mechanics, making that soulslike formula accessible to a much wider audience. 

Souls for all

Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty

(Image credit: Koei Tecmo)

Now, I adore the Soulsborne games; from Demon’s Souls to Elden Ring and everything in between. Throughout its tenure, developer FromSoftware has championed richly detailed worlds, interconnected level design, near-limitless build variety and a real feeling of accomplishment in overcoming sheer adversity. Its games are often punishingly difficult, and while I appreciate that unwavering commitment to high challenge, it can understandably turn some folks away.

There are at least a handful of sections in the Soulsborne games I dread revisiting. The trudging poisonous swamps of Demon’s Souls Valley of Defilement, the infamous Anor Londo archer section in Dark Souls, and the encounters with the frenzy-inducing Winter Lanterns of Bloodborne, to name a few. They’re all moments of sigh-inducing dread in otherwise phenomenal games.

It seems that Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty has recognized its peers’ penchant for occasionally irksome environmental design, and instead has taken a different approach to soulslike difficulty. It’s a challenging game, with plenty of one-on-one boss encounters that tested my nerves as much as my skill. But it’s also a game where progression constantly feels manageable to even more casual audiences. 

Expert deflection

Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty

(Image credit: Koei Tecmo)

Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty’s parry system works against every attack in the game – including projectiles – and is designed to feel both satisfying and rewarding. The timing required is strict but just generous enough that you’ll feel encouraged to learn the timings of every enemy attack instead of attempting to panic dodge roll through everything.

In fact, Wo Long makes it very clear you should only dodge roll as a last resort by having rolling negatively affects your Spirit gauge. When that hits the lowest point, any successful enemy attack will leave you breathless and open to a devastating follow-up.

Wo Long’s parry system is stimulating both audibly and visually while rewarding the player for a job well done

Meanwhile, your successfully executed attacks and parries will swing the gauge positively, allowing you to spend it on more powerful Martial Arts and Wizardry Spells. The Spirit gauge is a genius system; yes, it punishes panicked play, but it can reward you with buckets of extra damage should you keep up the offensive with well-timed parries and attacks.

Successful parries will reward you with exceptionally satisfying feedback. The gorgeous sound of steel swiping away glancing blows is accompanied by lustrous fireworks of particle effects, which visually signify a successful parry. The PS5 DualSense wireless controller’s haptic feedback kicks in, too, putting the icing on the cake. Wo Long’s parry system is intellectually and visually stimulating while rewarding the player for a job well done. 

Dynasty warriors

Wo Long Fallen Dynasty SGF 2022

(Image credit: Koei/Tecmo)

There is a tradeoff, though. In focusing so much on getting the player to parry, Wo Long: Fall Dynasty somewhat limits its build variety compared to its soulslike contemporaries. Various weapon types exist, such as lightning-quick staves, twin swords, and hard-hitting clubs. But these all feel like different flavors of the same thing. Wo Long sacrifices some player expression here, but it’s all in service to its commitment to a peerless parry system.

If you’ve struggled to get into soulslikes in the past because of the punishing difficulty spikes or otherwise, I’d strongly suggest trying out Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty. It’s still far from an easy game; however, by emphasizing learning its core mechanics over learning environments and optimizing builds, it offers a novel addition to the Soulsborne space. It’s a different flavor of difficulty that might fit your liking.

And if you’re on Xbox Series X|S, it practically costs nothing to check the game out, as it’ll be available day one of release on Xbox Game Pass. I had a blast playing through my new favorite soulslike, and I hope you will, too.

TOPICS
Rhys Wood
Hardware Editor

Rhys is TRG's Hardware Editor, and has been part of the TechRadar team for more than two years. Particularly passionate about high-quality third-party controllers and headsets, as well as the latest and greatest in fight sticks and VR, Rhys strives to provide easy-to-read, informative coverage on gaming hardware of all kinds. As for the games themselves, Rhys is especially keen on fighting and racing games, as well as soulslikes and RPGs.

Read more
Dynasty Warriors Origins
Dynasty Warriors Origins review: a thunderous new beginning
A close up of the main character from Ninja Gaiden 2 Black
I've spent 15 hours with Ninja Gaiden 2 Black and it's unapologetic in its 360-era game design, and frustrating and refreshingly no-nonsense in equal measure
Fighting a large monster in Eternal Strands.
Eternal Strands review: magic monster hunting
A character in heavy armor bows toward the left of the frame
Phantom Blade Zero - everything we know so far
A Hunter glides on the back of a Seikret over the Windward Plains. Small monsters are seen below, gathering in a herd.
Thanks to the new combat in Monster Hunter Wilds I’m now a Hunting Horn-wielding menace that murders monsters with weaponized jazz
The Blades of Fire key art.
MercurySteam CEO discusses upcoming new IP Blades of Fire: 'We love third person action adventure games and we wanted to revisit the genre'
Latest in Consoles & PC
Asus ROG Ally using Steam
I think Asus could be the perfect partner for an Xbox handheld – but I have questions
Astro Bot PS5 bundle
Sony officially announces new Astro Bot PS5 bundles and they're available from PlayStation Direct right now for bargain prices we can barely believe
Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered
Future PlayStation games could have AI-powered characters, if this leaked prototype of Aloy is anything to go by
The artwork for The Last of Us Limited Edition DualSense controller
Where to pre-order and buy The Last of Us Limited Edition DualSense controller today - UK pre-orders are live but stock has sold out already
Playing games on the Razer Handheld Dock Chroma without an external display.
The Razer Handheld Dock Chroma offers Steam Deck owners a premium design and, of course, plenty of RGB
Image of GTA 6 protagonists and PS5
GTA 6's console-only launch reminds me of how much I despise console exclusivity - is it worth waiting years for PC ports?
Latest in Features
Close up of PS5 DualSense controller leaning on a PS5
5 reasons your PS5 needs a VPN
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2
With discounts of up to 95%, these are the biggest deals I've managed to find in the Steam Spring Sale
The cast of The Parenting
The Parenting is Max's #1 most-watched movie but it has frightening reviews – here are 3 better horror films with over 90% on Rotten Tomatoes
Dr. Peter Zhou, President of Huawei Data Storage Product Line
Why AI commonization is so important for business intelligent transformation and what Huawei’s data storage has to offer
Samsung, Roku, and Hisense TV screens
I review TVs for a living, and here are the 3 best budget TVs you can buy today
Sterling K. Brown as Agent Xavier Collins in Paradise
Hulu's #1 show Paradise has got everyone talking – here are 3 more political thrillers with over 85% on Rotten Tomatoes to watch next