Wuchang: Fallen Feather promises epic duel boss fights. Read on to learn more about how the developers incorporated Chinese mythology into a soulslike and the game’s deep lore and mechanics.
Wuchang Boss Fights and Historical Background
Boss Fights Feel Like Duels
Wuchang: Fallen Feathers, an upcoming stylish soulslike debut title by Chinese developer Lenzee Game, promises its boss fights to feel like duels that will leave a mark, both visually and emotionally. In an interview with Game Rant on July 13, Director Xia Siyuan shared some details about the game’s epic encounters and how they incorporated Chinese mythology.
Exhilarating and monumental boss fights are Soulslikes’ bread and butter, and Wuchang’s director promised that their game would be no different. He stated, "Boss fights in Wuchang are designed to feel like duels, not just obstacles. Each one has a rhythm, a personality, and usually a few surprises that tie into the lore of the area. Some are drawn from myth, others from twisted echoes of real historical figures, but all of them are meant to leave a mark, visually and emotionally."
Siyuan also mentioned its variety and how each boss fight requires different strategies to overcome. He explained, "Players can expect variety, not just in scale but in how each fight challenges them. One boss might test timing and reaction, while another pushes you to rethink your build or make use of specific items you found earlier."
Furthermore, Siyuan noted that their goal was to make these sequences feel memorable and distinct, and that these bosses must feel like they have history behind them and feel like they are part of the world.
"In some cases, we even designed attacks or abilities around real rituals or symbols. We wanted each boss to feel like they belonged to the world. Like it had history, not just function. So even if players don’t know the specific myths, there’s still a weight to those encounters that hopefully comes through in the design," he elaborated.
Blending History and Dark Fantasy
Earlier this month, Siyuan sat down with AltChar and delved deeper into the game’s fantastical world and inspirations. He revealed that Wuchang is based on a parallel universe concept, branching from the Duyu era and extending to the Ming Dynasty. The team did extended research on that point in time, where they "consulted a wide range of historical texts, studied numerous Ming Dynasty artifacts, and visited museums to deepen our understanding."
Siyuan mentioned that they also drew inspiration from different Chinese traditions that are also embedded in their gameplay. "Our hope is that these elements not only capture the historical atmosphere but also allow players to truly experience the unique cultural richness of the region," he stated.
Clear Storytelling and Varying Playstyles
Continuing its comparisons to typical Soulslikes, Siyuan said that Wuchang’s story is "relatively clear," compared to titles of the same genre that often rely on subtle storytelling and leaving mysteries behind. However, he said that side quests will follow a "fragmented approach," pushing players to explore further as these may affect the outcome of the main storyline and influence the ending they will get.
In terms of combat, Siyuan hopes that players will find their way to overcome their challenges. "We want players to think creatively during gameplay and enjoy the process of discovering solutions - which is why Wuchang allows free respects at shrines without any cost. This freedom to experiment is a core design principle of the game," he said.
He also discussed the game’s "Inner Demon" system that incorporates "low-risk, low-reward or high-risk, high-reward approaches." Siyuan detailed, "This system invites players to weigh their choices and treat progression as a gradual journey of experimentation and learning."
Another aspect he highlighted is the game’s multiple endings, and how the players’ decisions directly affect it. Not only on the endings, but players also influence the fate of NPCs, their progression, and exploration path.
Diving into a crowded and daunting genre is no easy feat, but Wuchang’s promise to deliver a title where player decisions matter and epic boss fights is something to take notice of. Wuchang: Fallen Feathers is set to release on July 24 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. To stay up to date with the latest information about the game, check out our article below!
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Wuchang: Fallen Feathers’ Boss Fights Will "Leave a Mark, Both Visually and Emotionally"
Wuchang: Fallen Feathers - Blending Chinese History, Dark Fantasy, and Player Freedom
