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Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty | New Team Ninja Game From Producers Fumihiko Yasuda (Nioh) & Masaaki Yamagiwa (Bloodborne) - "DLC 3 | Upheaval in Jingxiang" trailer


Keyser_Soze

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I was rooting for this game until I discovered that the combat is very much Sekiro. While it's delightful to see so many favorite DW/Fallen Kingdom Era characters, in terms of gameplay, alas I may just not pick this up. Sucks, because I'd love to kick Lu Bu's butt yet again & W-Omega Force isn't even up to their level of quality anymore!

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Game Information

Game Title: Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty

 

Platforms:

  • Xbox Series X/S (Mar 3, 2023)
  • PlayStation 5 (Mar 3, 2023)
  • Xbox One (Mar 3, 2023)
  • PlayStation 4 (Mar 3, 2023)
  • PC (Mar 3, 2023)

 

Developer: Team NINJA
Publisher: KOEI TECMO

 

Review Aggregator:
OpenCritic - 82 average - 84% recommended

 

Critic Reviews

Attack of the Fanboy - 5 / 5

The best way to describe how Wo Long feels is if you combined the visuals and swordplay of the Dynasty Warriors and Nioh games with a pinch of Sekiro. What then happens is that you have a game that is quite difficult, but oh-so-rewarding when you conquer the seemingly impossible.


Digitally Downloaded - 5 / 5

Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty is a really majestic epic, and a stunning new interpretation of a book that has already been interpreted so many times in video games. It’s a compelling telling of the story, backed up with one of the fastest and most entertaining takes on Soulslike combat that we’ve seen to date. Just make sure you’ve got your energy drinks to hand. You’re going to need some serious focus thanks to the sheer speed and precision that this game demands.


GamingTrend - 100 / 100

Wo Long: Fall Dynasty is a near flawless game and what I hope is just an intro to this fantastic world. Team Ninja have crafted a game that takes the basic structure of Nioh and other Souls-likes and creates their own unique, rewarding, and brutally challenging experience. In its almost forty hour campaign I was constantly surprised by the amount of new locations, creative boss fights, and sheer ambition of the game. It may be early in the year, but I'd be surprised if any game beats Wo Long for the top of my year-end list.


INVEN - Korean - 9.5 / 10

Almost every aspect has improved from Team Ninja's previous work. The fantasy-infused story based on the Three Kingdoms complements core gameplay almost perfectly. On top of that, Its combat system has a distinct charm that entices players to turn their consoles back on immediately after turning them off.


TrueGaming - Arabic - 9.5 / 10

Team Ninja leaves its mark with Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty. The fast base leads to ferocious battles that are highly satisfying and addictive. Level designs and boss fights are unique and memorable, with a versatile set of side missions, a must-buy for fans of the genre.


COGconnected - 93 / 100

Like Sekiro and Team NINJA’s Nioh games, Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty demands a lot from the player, specifically persistence, creativity and let’s be honest, decent timing and reflexes. In lots of key areas it’s a pretty traditional Soulslike, with all the challenges and rewards that come with the genre. Wo Long’s particular brilliance lies in its new mechanics and the way they flow in and out of every encounter. While some moments and fights can seem like insurmountable, immovable walls, getting around, through, or over them is never boring. Wo Long both honors the genre and pushes it forward in an exciting way.


33bits - Spanish - 90 / 100

Team Ninja brings us a new title that smells of success and a new IP with this Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty. A very fun, deep and challenging game that will delight all fans of the genre. Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty has become, on its own merits, a must-play game on our bookshelf.


But Why Tho? - 9 / 10

I have never died so many times, and still been excited to jump back in and die again. Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty may be my first completed soulslike, but it won’t be my last. If your game can launch someone into a new genre they used to avoid, it’s safe to say you’ve done something extraordinary—and Team Ninja has.


Destructoid - 9 / 10

A hallmark of excellence. There may be flaws, but they are negligible and won't cause massive damage.


Final Weapon - 4.5 / 5

The story may be somewhat forgettable, and the voice acting is questionable, but Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty is a fantastic hardcore action RPG that might qualify as game-of-the-year material. I would experience it all again in a heartbeat. This is an easy recommendation for fans of hardcore action RPGs. A tight pace and superb combat make sure the game doesn't feel dull at nearly any point.


Gamer Escape - 9 / 10

Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty is an impressive iteration for Team Ninja. It’s a more accessible title without sacrificing the challenge intrinsic to its success, it features one of the developer’s most satisfying combat systems to date, and it accomplishes this in levels that sport more verticality and exploration than ever before. It falters more than it probably should with regard to storytelling and graphical presentation—a somewhat consistent shortcoming in Team Ninja games—but it’s an exceptionally easy recommendation for anyone who enjoys more tasking action RPGs.


Hardcore Gamer - 4.5 / 5

Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty is a dark fantasy take on the Three Kingdoms. The difficulty is high, almost seeming insurmountable at first, but part of what makes Wo Long great is how the difficulty isn't unfair.


PSX Brasil - Portuguese - 90 / 100

Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty doesn't try to reinvent Nioh's formula, but manages to bring together its main elements and make specific changes, which allow it to be enjoyed by different types of audiences. And even with a combat system that may feel random at times, it's still able to provide a great feeling when overcoming its challenges. The setting is excellent and its engaging storytelling makes the future of this new franchise very promising.


Push Square - 9 / 10

Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty is an excellent action RPG that offers an even more hardcore take on the increasingly popular Soulslike formula. It's fast, frenetic, and hits like a truck, with one of the most mesmeric combat systems we've ever had the pleasure to master. It might scare off more casual players, but those looking for a challenge, well - you can stop looking.


SECTOR.sk - Slovak - 9 / 10

Even though the infamous Nioh title absents in the Team Ninja's newest soulslike experience, there is no doubt that it possesses the very same qualities as its predecessors. Visceral and hardcore combat mechanics are used against the most horrific of demons. Our nameless hero will explore the chunks of a wonderful world inspired by the Romance of Three Kingdoms whilst trying to bring peace to a war-torn feudal China. This cryptically epic horse ride will surely confuse you, make you cry with rage and mostly teach you the art of parry timings'


Saudi Gamer - Arabic - 9 / 10

Wo Long gave us everything we expected from Team Ninja, thrilling and challenging combat with one of the best boss fights ever made. If it wasn't for the technical issues and weird design choices, this would have been easily their best game


Shacknews - 9 / 10

In Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty, Team Ninja flexes its twenty years of experience designing action RPGs. Combat is beautifully layered, and it feels satisfying to pull off difficult maneuvers and topple overpowered foes. The world itself is filled with interesting characters to meet and interact with, even if their performances are a little inconsistent. Despite some light performance hurdles, Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty is a haymaker of a video game.


The Outerhaven Productions - 4.5 / 5

Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty is a fantastic spin-off of the Nioh series, and while it feels like Team Ninja had a checklist of features it wanted to copy from other games, in the end, everything feels fresh and exciting. Outside of the performance issues, and the sometimes annoying AI-controller players, I found myself playing the game for hours. Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty is more than a Soulslike, more than an action game; it's a fun and enjoyable game.


Twinfinite - 4.5 / 5

At the end of the day, I absolutely enjoyed my time in Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty, and am raring to go back for more with an additional unlockable difficulty level that has more powerful loot and more challenging fights awaiting. The blend of combat, RPG elements, platforming, and a much more serious and interesting narrative makes for an engaging romp through the ancient lands of China, and aside from some small AI hiccups and design choices, there really isn’t much there to dampen my revitalized love for all things Romance of the Three Kingdoms. All hail the newest and most polished Soulslike to come out in a while.


Cerealkillerz - German - 8.9 / 10

Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty continues the familiar formula of the Nioh series and transports the whole thing to the Chinese era of the three empires. The new gameplay, which is purely based on counterattacks, brings so much fun and freedom that you can easily overlook the story, the somewhat inflationary loot and the fluctuating difficulty level.


PC Gamer - 89 / 100

Technical issues aside, Wo Long is a master of its craft that future soulslikes should study under.


Gamersky - Chinese - 8.8 / 10

Wolong: Fallen Dynasty is a powerful action game that introduces a new gameplay experience with its core combat mechanism of parrying. This game reinterprets the history and characters of the Three Kingdoms period, providing a surprising experience for Chinese players.


However, the game's map design has some flaws, and the endgame content is also lacking. These issues prevent Wolong from being a perfect gaming experience. However, we hope that future DLCs will fill these gaps and address the shortcomings in the game's content.


Gaming Nexus - 8.8 / 10

Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty pushes the boundaries of a Souls-like game by introducing refreshing and unique takes on otherwise overused formulas. The emphasis on deflecting and the new morale mechanic makes for a challenging and rewarding combat system only to be further enhanced by the dramatic backdrop of the Three Kingdoms.


Game Informer - 8.8 / 10

But even as its second half failed to match what came earlier, Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty is a finely honed delight. Its action is precise and responsive, and learning the intricacies of each adversary is exceedingly fulfilling. While I wish its back stretch was either pared down or had a wider variety of foes, this is a rare title that induces trance-like focus and euphoric moments of victory. It may not quite reach the heights of the works that inspired it, but it’s not far off.


Capsule Computers - 8.5 / 10

Although technical issues and poor loot system hold it back, Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty’s difficult but incredibly rewarding gameplay makes it an outstanding game in its genre.


ComingSoon.net - 8.5 / 10

Wo Long carves its own path because of its distinct and rich combat system. Parrying is always fulfilling and the game’s many new systems are built around that rock-solid foundation. And while not quite the sharpest sword Team Ninja has crafted, it’s still as deadly as ever.


GameGrin - 8.5 / 10

Team Ninja's latest action RPG is equal parts challenging and exhilarating, with unique mechanics that help even the odds in even the toughest of battles. A perfect new addition to a genre already stacked with quality titles.


God is a Geek - 8.5 / 10

Head into Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty with the right frame of mind and you'll find an enjoyable adventure that refuses to pull its punches.


Hobby Consolas - Spanish - 85 / 100

Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty is much more than "Team Ninja's Sekiro": the parry is a core mechanic, yes, but so are its ingenious skill system and the way it invites us to explore. If we combine these ideas with the impeccable gameplay of the studio, the result is an action game and a great first step to a new IP.


NaviGames - Spanish - 8.5 / 10

Team Ninja refines and perfects its soulslike style to the maximum by relying entirely on the parry system. The studio delivers a frantic, fast-paced, very satisfying and, of course, sometimes frustrating adventure, but overall well-balanced thanks to the companions, combat styles and the magic of ancient China.


Noisy Pixel - 8.5 / 10

Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty is unlike any other action game. Its unique battle system encourages high-level character customization to make the action approachable no matter your history with the genre. It's terrifyingly brilliant as it tests your understanding of enemy attacks through a rhythm-based deflect feature making each encounter as enjoyable as it is difficult, especially in its online modes. Although messy enemy placement and cheesy maneuvers can slow the pacing, the Three Kingdoms story has never looked better.


NoobFeed - 85 / 100

Even without a gripping story, Wo Long is a wild ride from the beginning to the end. The story and visuals suffer more than they should, but it's still a solid role-playing game. Seasoned Nioh fans will have to pick up their paces to adjust to Wo Long's combat system. Not everyone will relish Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty, but those willing to take on the challenge will have a fantastic time.


PlayStation Universe - 8.5 / 10

Distilled from the composite parts of developer Team Ninja's prior efforts, Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty opts to delve deep into the fundamentals of high-stakes combat and delivers a pulse-pumping experience that rewards anyone willing to step up to the plate.


Press Start - 8.5 / 10

Despite Team Ninja falling into the same pitfalls suffered by prior titles, Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty is another deeply satisfying Souls-like. A steep learning curve and frustrating amounts of loot don't do much to keep Wo Long back from offering another finely tuned combat system, blended with a unique setting and new systems that break new ground in the subgenre.


Prima Games - 8.5 / 10

I kept coming back, fiending for that massive dopamine rush that courses through you when you finally achieve the impossible in this type of game. In a sea of Soulslike imitators, Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty sails above the rest, carried by its stylish execution and the experience from Team Ninja’s unforgiving pedigree.


Video Chums - 8.5 / 10

Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty is a superbly fun action RPG that'll put your parry skills to the test. Throw in rewarding exploration and so many mechanics that it'll make your head spin and you're left with a wonderfully engaging full-fledged adventure.


WayTooManyGames - 8.5 / 10

Even if I didn’t care at all about its plot, and there were a handful of issues with its gameplay, namely feature creep, I played it for hours and hours. The brilliant mixture of Nioh, Sekiro, Bloodborne, and even a bit of Battlefield resulted in a game that feels familiar and fresh at the same time, and one of the most exciting action RPGs released in recent memory.


XboxEra - 8.4 / 10

Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty is an epic ass-kicking time.  Featuring ridiculously cool characters, stunning music, and a deeply engaging combat system this one is an easy recommendation for purchase or downloading on Game Pass like.


GamePro - German - 83 / 100

Action fireworks with a great, complex combat system, but technically not always completely round.


Generación Xbox - Spanish - 83 / 100

The inspiration in Sekiro and the good work with Nioh are clearly seen in Wo Long, which raises a point of difficulty for which only fans of souls will be prepared.


GAMES.CH - German - 81%

Nearly as fast as Sekiro dye, but still with a lot of tactical options in its duel-based fights, Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty delivers a unique mix of different Soulslike attitudes. If the first boss wasn't a little too hard and the difficulty curve flattening more and more afterwards, Wo Long maybe could have beaten Nioh 2. That way it's not outstanding, but just a well done action RPG that can easily be recommended to any fan of the genre.


CGMagazine - 8 / 10

Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty doesn't reinvent the wheel, but what it does, it does right and continues Team Ninja's trend of delivering well-polished action games that reward their player base for sticking with it when things get tough.


Checkpoint Gaming - 8 / 10

Team Ninja has created a challenging and engaging action game in a fantasy version of Three Kingdoms China. The combat mechanics are intuitive and all work together, making strategy and consideration of each next big boss fight vital. However, those same systems can be overly complex with a flurry of gauges, ranks, and stats to consider all at once. Even with a few difficulty spikes and balancing issues, Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty is still a fun adventure with creative bosses and exciting battles.


Cultured Vultures - 8 / 10

Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty's engaging combat, satisfying parries and decent level design help this Soulslike become a truly entertaining package.


Digital Trends - 4 / 5

Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty is a thoughtfully constructed Soulslike that makes thoughtful use of its Chinese setting.


GameSkinny - 8 / 10

Team Ninja ups the ante and the difficulty from the Nioh series.


GameSpot - 8 / 10

Wo Long has stylish, parry-heavy combat and a more approachable challenge than most Souls-like games, but difficulty spikes may prove to be a barrier.


Gamefa - Persian - 8 / 10

Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty follows in the footsteps of Nioh and manages to deliver an exciting Hardcore experience. There are some new Mechanics like Morale system, but at the end of the day, it uses the same structure as Nioh. That being said, unfortunately Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty has also inherited some structural issues from Nioh. From poor story and disappointing narrative to repetitive side missions. If you loved Nioh, you are going to have a blast playing Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty, but don't forget that this game is far from perfect. It's enjoyable, but not flawless.


GamesRadar+ - 4 / 5

Wo Long sees Team Ninja build on the core quality of the Nioh games. Its new systems, from the spirit gauge to morale levels within each stage feel well-considered and tightly honed to encourage exploration and bold, expressive fighting styles. Some old habits die hard, especially the tiresome loot gathering, but the game's core combat and traversal options always shine through.


IGN - 8 / 10

Familiar issues with storytelling and loot aside, Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty is another great entry in Team Ninja's growing collection of action RPGs that features some of the best combat in the soulslike genre, even though those battles start to lose their tension due to a distinct lack of enemy variety to fill out the 20+ hour runtime.


IGN Spain - Spanish - 8 / 10

Team Ninja shows its best side. In Wo Long there are still some of its common problems, but the result is a remarkable Soulslike.


Lords Of Gaming - 8 / 10

Despite the game’s technical shortcomings and confusing mechanics,  Wo Long was a tremendous journey from start to finish. The game sports intuitive and tight combat and has some of the most epic boss fights that will push you to your limits. Though not at the level of FromSoftware titles, Wo Long is a step in the right direction and is diligently carving its own place among its peers.


PCGamesN - 8 / 10

Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty is a thoroughly enjoyable Soulslike with intensely fun combat mechanics, slightly marred by jarring difficulty spikes and by-the-numbers music and sound.


PlayStation LifeStyle - 8 / 10

Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty is a challenging romp through a dark fantasy version of Romance of the Three Kingdoms and works well as a Soulslite. Each level is a bite-sized Souls experience to be conquered and moved past. The tight, challenging combat will thrill fans of the genre, but the lack of an interconnected world might turn off those that love the thrill of exploration.


RPG Site - 8 / 10

While it succeeds in its own right, Wo Long doesn't quite reach the same heights as Team Ninja's Nioh 1 and 2.


Saving Content - 4 / 5

Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty has a lot of familiar elements from Team NINJA’s own Nioh series and also the FromSoftware series. However, there’s nothing quite like the Chinese martial arts and Three Kingdoms backdrop that you’ll find here. The dark twist that KOEI TECMO put in the later Han Dynasty a remarkable and fascinating portrayal I can’t say I’ve seen anywhere before. The underwhelming performance on PC is a major disappointment, but this can absolutely be patched and updated in time. Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty is not an easy game to beat, but it does come easily recommended.


Stevivor - 8 / 10

While I wasn’t jazzed with Scars Above and the way it tried to incorporate Soulslike elements, Team Ninja has certainly found its groove in Wo Long Fallen Dynasty. It’s very familiar, yet not, and with combat mechanics and a storyline that’ll keep you going. Those new to the genre as fans of Elden Ring might find more instant gratification with the likes of Dark Souls, but Wo Long could certainly cater for a player with time constraits. If you’re uncertain as to whether or not you’d find enjoyment within, don’t forget that this is a day one Xbox Game Pass launch title; a demo is also available on other platforms should you not have instant access.


The Beta Network - 8 / 10

Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty is a big-time adrenaline rush, dropping the overwhelming RPG systems of Nioh for a more streamlined, arcade-like approach to battle.


The Games Machine - Italian - 8 / 10

Wo Long is a well-packaged, fun and satisfying soulslike in execution, however there is a general laziness, a lack of novelty together with assets and skins taken from Nioh, together with a game balance that manages to work only in the final stages.


TheSixthAxis - 8 / 10

Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty is nearly always a rush to play, and even when you're getting pummelled, it still feels as though you could overcome the fight if you just learned the attack patterns a little better, or maybe just summoned some more help.


TrueAchievements - 8 / 10

Wo Long has a wonderful rhythm and flow to it, and it always feels great to deftly deflect your way through a relentless barrage of blows, wearing down your enemy before breaking their resolve and landing that fatal blow. It's a bit of a shame that the achievements don't encourage you to engage with the Rising Dragon endgame mode as it's a hearty challenge, but hopefully, Wo Long's fantastic fundamentals and rewarding combat will be enough to get you to explore the post-game on its own merits... I know they are for me.


VG247 - 4 / 5

Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty is an excellent action game, and a tightly-focused, well-executed example of why Team Ninja is often mentioned in the same breath as FromSoftware. Razor-sharp combat that wields the power of momentum with deft ease, supported by intricate and well-designed levels, against the backdrop of an over-the-top historical fantasy? It’s just a shame about the quality-of-life aberrations that constantly chip away at your morale.


Wccftech - 8 / 10

With its Three Kingdoms setting, fast-paced combat centered on the Deflection mechanics, improved level design, and renewed focus on action gameplay mechanics, Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty is another solid action role-playing game by Team NINJA that all fans of the genre will enjoy. While the complex RPG mechanics and loot system of the Nioh games have been toned down for a much more accessible experience for newcomers, they also make the game easier than most of the studio's previous games, something that will undoubtedly disappoint those looking for a real challenge on their first playthrough.


We Got This Covered - 4 / 5

Although it may not be as inventive and thoughtfully designed as its inspirations, Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty thrives on gameplay that’s satisfying and intuitive enough to win over newbies, while providing enough challenge to keep Soulslike veterans engaged and happy.


WhatIfGaming - 8 / 10

Wo Lang Fallen Dynasty is a challenging action RPG that stands out with its excellent deflection based combat, and tense morale system. It forces you to perfect its core mechanics and offers a rewarding experience with a lot of freedom in traversal and exploration. The uneven presentation and subpar PC port keep it from being perfect, but it's a worthy addition to Team Ninja's action RPG catalog.


Worth Playing - 8 / 10

Overall, I really enjoyed Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty. It's a distinctive game, and the morale mechanic changes how you approach combat. It suffers a bit from the world being less exciting than Sekiro's world, and the loot system feels a lot more stapled on than it was in Nioh, but those are both minor complaints. It's fresh enough that I didn't feel like I was playing Nioh 3, and it kept enough of the core mechanics that it retains its own flavor.


Spaziogames - Italian - 7.9 / 10

Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty seems like a Nioh spin-off: same game structure, same issues and same assets. Despite that, the introduction of new gameplay elements like Morale Rank, Spirit Gauge and Wizardry Spells helped Team Ninja to make another compelling game.


Fextralife - 7.8 / 10

Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty is sure to satisfy Team Ninja and Nioh fans in the combat department, but some aspects are not quite as good as the Nioh franchise. Recommended for console players itching for satisfying action, but a wait for patches for PC players due to performance issues.


Xbox Achievements - 78%

Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty sets itself apart from Nioh, Team Ninja’s other soulslike series, with plenty of inventive mechanics that thrust you into the midst of a war. But by spreading the action out over various disparate battlefields in second century China, with plenty of chatty characters to meet along the way, Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty loses a little bit of its magic in the process.


IGN Italy - Italian - 7.5 / 10

Wo Long has an addicting combat system, but also troubles in finding the right balance: the new RPG from Team Ninja leans too much in the player's favor, while reducing the sense of challenge.


Multiplayer First - 7.5 / 10

Overall, I do think Wo Long has a good starting foundation that I’m sure other players in the community will be able to master more than me. I don’t want to claim I’m expert at the game (despite finishing NG+ on hard,) but I have seen others based on the demo manage to pull things off I haven’t. Basically what I’m saying is that the things I disliked, aren’t necessarily going to be the things the community dislike. 



Wo Long is still an entertaining game to play through. Its combat is solid, making it closer to Sekiro, Ninja Gaiden, and even Onimusha, though I do feel some things could have been fleshed out more. Souls and Nioh fans will no doubt be right at home with this, as it certainly scratches that Soul itch, and for that I do recommend you play the game at some point.


Niche Gamer - 7.5 / 10

With a little bit of loot system reduction, refinement to the morale system in regards to player level, removal of sociopolitical nonsense, and tweaks to make spirit attacks a bit more useful, Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty could have a sequel that goes from pretty good to superb. Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty isn’t perfect, but it sets a great baseline for what could become a terrific franchise much like Nioh did before it.


WellPlayed - 7.5 / 10

Wo Long is another solid entry into the hardcore hack and slash RPG genre, but some wonky difficulty and questionable enemy AI spoil some of the design nuances and mean it doesn't quite hit the heights of Team Ninja's previous efforts


ZTGD - 7.5 / 10

Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty is a solid foundation for a new IP with fluid combat and fun exploration but fails to topple its spiritual predecessor due to oversimplification of customization and a lackluster PC port.


Enternity.gr - Greek - 7 / 10

Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty is a title that will appeal to those looking to try something different on an otherwise familiar base.


GRYOnline.pl - Polish - 7 / 10

Wo Long is a good starting point for soulslike newbies and some needed breather for more experienced players. They won't break a sweat, but their time won’t be wasted. Wo Long has a really well-designed combat system. Pity that nothing else is as good.


GamingBolt - 7 / 10

If you're new to Soulslikes, Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty might be the most fun and accessible one yet thanks to a number of features it implements.


PC Invasion - 7 / 10

A notable drop in depth compared to the Nioh games, Wo-Long still has some engaging additions inspired by Sekiro. I often enjoyed myself but repetition and a horribly uneven difficulty curve certainly don't help.


Screen Rant - 3.5 / 5

The Nioh series has already contended with some or all of Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty’s quibbles, so veterans may not be the least bit dissuaded at the similar missteps made here. They’ll find tons of items to pore through and bosses to tangle with over a 35-hour campaign, with additional side quests and some fun 1-on-1 duels to dive back into after the credits scroll. If another Team Ninja Soulslike focused on parrying and inventory management sounds like a great time, Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty will certainly deliver, but a lack of mechanical polish and an inflated inconsistent campaign may be a hard sell to the uninitiated.


TechRaptor - 7 / 10

Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty differentiates itself from Nioh thanks to a few key mechanics, though the experience can feel a little linear and easy at times. Still a fun game for fans of Team Ninja, and faster Soulslikes in general.


DualShockers - 6.8 / 10

A hair-pullingly difficult journey through zombie-infested ancient China that left me Crushingly Defeated.DualShockers was provided with a copy of the game for review purposes.


VGC - 3 / 5

More of a side-step than an evolution from Nioh 2, Wo Long is inventive and an adventure worth taking even if it’s technically suspect on PS5, but won’t live massively long in the memory once you’ve slain your final boss.


TheGamer - 2.5 / 5

Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty is, at best, a serviceable Souls-like. If you enjoy Nioh and Sekiro, it’s a fun bit of filler, but it’s derivative and bloated, serving as a highlight reel of previous Souls-likes while missing the point of what made its inspirations, and even predecessors, unique to begin with.


ACG - Buy

"The game is a bit like dark souls lite, easier, more front heavy and enjoyable for casual gamers. However, be aware of tech issues, insipidly bad locations, and some wonky bugs"


Chicas Gamers - Spanish - Unscored

Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty offers us an action game with touches of RPG set in a fictitious end of the Chinese Han dynasty. A soulslike in which learning from our mistakes will be vital for the good future of history. It has a difficulty that dances hand in hand with that frenetic action as well as fun that Team Ninja has accustomed us to. If you like the genre, it is a highly recommended and fun game to add to your collection, since after overcoming its initial peak of difficulty it will become a more affordable option. As a great incentive, mention its online mode, which will allow us to finish the adventure in the company of a friend. Completing the game will be a challenge that will cost us a lot, guaranteeing that it will be a good many hours that will hardly go below 40.


Console Creatures - Recommended

Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty is an excellent Souls-like that brings a good dose of adrenaline and will make you swear many times.


Echo Boomer - Portuguese - Essential

Team Ninja brings us one of the best soulsborne by cleaning up the excesses and focusing on an accessible but difficult to master combat system.


Eurogamer - Recommended

Team Ninja evolves Nioh's formula in a Three Kingdoms-era action RPG where allies, flags, and stealth make its brutal challenges more manageable than ever.


Eurogamer.pt - Portuguese - Recommended

This is one of those highly difficult games that will easily take you apart, but when you triumph, you reach ecstasy. The difficulty is overcome in many ways, can be with good reflexes for the most capable, increased morale to defeat enemies or with flags, farm levels to balance the challenge or recruiting the help of NPCs or players. It's another electrifying Team Ninja experience that refined a lot about what you did in Nioh, but found on the bypass button a mechanic that injects great energy.


Kotaku - Unscored

That’s what I hope developers in the genre and players of these games take away, as well. Sometimes, you need help to take down an army, especially one with demons and evildoers high on performance-enhancing drugs. Doing it yourself is possible, as shown in something like Bloodborne. But as 1986's The Legend of Zelda put it, “It’s dangerous to go alone.” So, why not take some reinforcements with you? You’ll be grateful you did.


Polygon - Polygon Recommends

Surviving the calamities of Wo Long requires nearly obsessive hours of practice. But what comes after is the exhilaration of being able to deftly execute hordes of enemies and demons alike with merely a reflexive twitch of your well-honed limbs. With its intricate combat system and an equally evocative setting, Wo Long is a journey worth embarking on — even if it means devoting three more hours to your next boss fight.


Rock, Paper, Shotgun - Unscored

Team Ninja has streamlined Nioh with dashes of Sekiro, but it stands on its own as a Soulslike with, arguably, the crispest combat out there.


 

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  • Commissar SFLUFAN changed the title to Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty | New Team Ninja Game From Producers Fumihiko Yasuda (Nioh) & Masaaki Yamagiwa (Bloodborne) | 03 March 2023 - reviews from OpenCritic posted

Surviving the calamities of Wo Long requires nearly obsessive hours of practice. But what comes after is the exhilaration of being able to deftly execute hordes of enemies and demons alike with merely a reflexive twitch of your well-honed limbs. With its intricate combat system and an equally evocative setting, Wo Long is a journey worth embarking on — even if it means devoting three more hours to your next boss fight.

 

 

Nooooooooope.

 

Leaving See Ya GIF by MOODMAN

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1 hour ago, XxEvil AshxX said:

Surviving the calamities of Wo Long requires nearly obsessive hours of practice. But what comes after is the exhilaration of being able to deftly execute hordes of enemies and demons alike with merely a reflexive twitch of your well-honed limbs. With its intricate combat system and an equally evocative setting, Wo Long is a journey worth embarking on — even if it means devoting three more hours to your next boss fight.

 

 

Nooooooooope.

 

Leaving See Ya GIF by MOODMAN

 

#samepageclub

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44 minutes ago, ShreddieMercury said:

Man, Dark Souls really ruined action games huh.  The blurbs from those reviews are genuinely hilarious.

 

I don't think this is entirely accurate. To me the Nioh games (Which Wo Long is most similar to) felt like an extension of the Ninja Gaiden games which predate Souls games, and are a lot more action oriented. Wo Long is similar to Nioh but actually with some improvement and a bit more forgiving. All that being said there is a heavy emphasis on parries (which leave enemies open for big damage) and if you're not good at parrying then you won't have a good time at this game.

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19 minutes ago, Keyser_Soze said:

 

I don't think this is entirely accurate. To me the Nioh games (Which Wo Long is most similar to) felt like an extension of the Ninja Gaiden games which predate Souls games, and are a lot more action oriented. Wo Long is similar to Nioh but actually with some improvement and a bit more forgiving. All that being said there is a heavy emphasis on parries (which leave enemies open for big damage) and if you're not good at parrying then you won't have a good time at this game.

 

Ninja Gaiden had an easy mode though.

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1 minute ago, Keyser_Soze said:

 

Eventually, in a second version of the game. :p

And was it actually easier? I never actually tried it.

 

It was! It did some weird shaming you thing but whatever they can do that, I was just happy I could progress further.

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1 hour ago, Keyser_Soze said:

 

I don't think this is entirely accurate. To me the Nioh games (Which Wo Long is most similar to) felt like an extension of the Ninja Gaiden games which predate Souls games, and are a lot more action oriented. Wo Long is similar to Nioh but actually with some improvement and a bit more forgiving. All that being said there is a heavy emphasis on parries (which leave enemies open for big damage) and if you're not good at parrying then you won't have a good time at this game.

 

I never finished Sekiro because of the parry mechanic so... yea.

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14 minutes ago, skillzdadirecta said:

Beating Sekiro was one of the most satisying gaming experiences I ever had.

 

Props to you and anyone who finished it, good stuff. I just couldn't do it. I got to that Samurai at the top of the castle and just couldn't beat him. The lightning phase just destroyed me every time. I tried so many times I just permanently lost my taste for the game. I deleted it and will never look back.

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1 hour ago, nublood said:

 

Props to you and anyone who finished it, good stuff. I just couldn't do it. I got to that Samurai at the top of the castle and just couldn't beat him. The lightning phase just destroyed me every time. I tried so many times I just permanently lost my taste for the game. I deleted it and will never look back.

That's the point a lot of people quit at. Thing is, once you beat him you have the skills you need to pretty much finish the game. When i first played the game I checked out on him too. When I finally decided to go beat the game I made easy work of him after everything "clicked".

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2 hours ago, skillzdadirecta said:

Beating Sekiro was one of the most satisying gaming experiences I ever had.

Same. Beating the final boss straight up with no cheese added was probably my best achievement in gaming. Yeah, it wasn't THAT hard to most but to me getting my ass handed to me over and over and over and just learning his moves, tendencies etc etc then turning that on him..will probably never be topped. 

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Yeah, I played a bit on PC Game Pass. Game runs really well, ended up killing the first boss after too many tries, but I really don't enjoy the deflection system already. 

I can play souls games because of the roll (or the back step in Bloodborne), and then Sekiro took me something like a year, and I hated every second of it. The Drunkard gives me nightmares to this day.  This parry stuff requires far better reflexes than an old man like me has to be enjoyable. Yes I can do it, but no I'm not having fun, so I'm not torturing myself this time. 

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39 minutes ago, Commissar SFLUFAN said:

 

This is the game that doesn't end
Yes, it goes on and on, my friends
Some people started playing it not knowing what it was
And they′ll continue playing it forever just because

Yeah I'm reserving my thoughts on this for when I'm done but the game definitely suffers from some pacing issues and padding that hurts it overall. Luckily the actually gameplay is so good.

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42 minutes ago, BloodyHell said:

Yeah, I played a bit on PC Game Pass. Game runs really well, ended up killing the first boss after too many tries, but I really don't enjoy the deflection system already. 

I can play souls games because of the roll (or the back step in Bloodborne), and then Sekiro took me something like a year, and I hated every second of it. The Drunkard gives me nightmares to this day.  This parry stuff requires far better reflexes than an old man like me has to be enjoyable. Yes I can do it, but no I'm not having fun, so I'm not torturing myself this time. 

Can you beat this game without the parry? I beat the demo boss without parrying at all.

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All I have heard about the PC version is that it has bad KBM controls.

If that is really the only issue worth mentioning, then lol, use a controller.

If you don't have one then that's fair, but I have yet to meet a PC gamer that doesn't have at least a 360 gamepad.

I'm sure they exist, but I don't know'em.

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