Wuthering Waves is an upcoming open-world action RPG developed by Kuro Game. Read on to learn about our first impressions of the game and everything else we know.
Everything We Know About Wuthering Waves
Wuthering Waves Story Plot
The story in Wuthering Waves is set after the calamity known as the "Calament" razed the world of almost all human life. Desperate to survive, the survivors forged uneasy alliances to rebuild some semblance of civilization from its ruins. Among their efforts to protect themselves came the Resonators, humans with unique compositions due to being fused with Wutherons, who can fight against the monstrosities that spawned along with the Calament.
You take on the role of a mysterious newcomer simply known as the "Rover." Due to the circumstances of your arrival, the Resonators end up keeping you closely monitored. And gradually, as you connect with the world around you, the secrets behind your past and the world reveal themselves.
Wuthering Waves Gameplay
Wuthering Waves is an open-world action RPG. The game promises more than the appropriate amount of freedom expected from the genre, featuring vast expanses of land to explore, dozens of Resonators to use, and various tools to navigate with.
Its combat system is a mix of familiar mechanics, surprising additions, and adjustments to an overused format. Similar to HoYoverse's Genshin Impact and Honkai Impact 3rd, as well as Kuro Game's own Punishing Gray Raven, switching between characters for interactive effects and combos is at the core of its team-building considerations. Resonators also have the usual set of basic attacks, basic skills, ultimate, and passives. However, Wuthering Waves has turned these games' mostly two-dimensional combat experience and extended it to another dimension, allowing players to consider the skies when engaging enemies.
Movement design and options have also been optimized for speed and fluidity, with Resonators not needing stamina to continue a sprint and opting climbing walls out for wall-running. This means you can maintain a breakneck pace throughout your entire playthrough without suffering the dregs of a constantly-exhausted stamina bar.
Lastly, every aspect of the game flourishes Kuro Game's signature animation expertise. Everything from its exploration to its combat feels like a cinematic experience similar to their previous title, Punishing Gray Raven.
Combat
Wuthering Waves uses combat mechanics very similar to games such as Genshin Impact and Tower of Fantasy but with a few additions. Players are able to string together basic attacks for a combo, use skills for a variety of effects, and unleash ultimates for big effects.
As an alternative to basic attacks, players can also mix heavy attacks with their normal attack string. This move’s behavior differs depending on the character. For example, Taoqi’s heavy attack makes her switch to a parry state, allowing her to mitigate incoming damage. Meanwhile, Danjin’s heavy attack will simply allow her to attack three times in quick succession.
True to their name, Resonators also have a Resonance Skill, which is deeply connected to their character design. Resonance Skills also have a variety of effects from shielding allies to extending the Resonator’s combo. Certain conditions may also be attached to their use, such as only being usable after certain moves or requiring a condition to achieve enhanced effects.
Forte Circuits are a unique feature of Resonators. These have even more varied effects when compared to Resonance Skills and are also much more restricted in their use. Use of the skill requires management of the Forte Gauge or a similar meter that can be filled up using means particular to each character. Otherwise, they also function similarly to Resonance Skills.
Lastly, each Resonator has a move called Resonance Liberation. These are essentially Ultimate Skills that can significantly influence the state of the battle. Accordingly, these are also much harder to use repeatedly, often requiring gauges to fill and/or charges to collect. Effects also vary depending on the character.
Game Modes and Quality of Life Optimizations
Wuthering Waves emphasizes ease of use and simplicity for players to gain the know-how of the in-game combat system quickly. To balance things out and provide a healthy challenge for capable players, the “Tactical Hologram: Calamity” game mode is available in various areas around the map. Along with the inclusion of high-level elite, these serve to reward players who actively seek challenges.
Also to that end, optimizations to the core combat loop were added, including better character skill effects, improved general combat mechanics, screen shaking adjustments, a skip function for the game’s cutscenes, and camera lock-on. Echo Skills have also been improved performance-wise, with a few new utility skills on the roster.
Story Mode Overhaul
Wuthering Waves received a major Story Mode overhaul after its closed beta that was meant to do away with unsatisfactory settings and adjust key character designs accordingly. With the above changes, necessary modifications were made to the overall story flow, animations, voice-overs, and other resources.
Gacha
Wuthering Waves gacha system is a mix of a few familiar faces. First, the Character Event Convenes (or event banners) for Resonators have a 0.8% 5-star rate with a 50-50 coin flip mechanic. In other words, there is a 50% chance that players will pull the featured character once they pull a 5-star. If the player doesn't pull the featured character when they obtain a 5-star Resonator, the next 5-star they pull is guaranteed to be the featured character.
The Character Permanent Convene (standard banner) has the same 5-star rate as the Character Event Convene at 0.8%. However, this banner has no increased rates for specific Resonators, so your chances of getting either Verina, Encore, Jianxin, Lingyang, or Calcharo are roughly equal.
Both Character Convenes are roughly similar to games such as Honkai: Star Rail and Snowbreak: Containment Zone but with slightly different rates and pities.
Meanwhile, the Weapon Event Convene has the same 0.8% 5-star pull rate. But unlike the Character Event Convene, it has no 50-50 or coin flip mechanic. In other words, players are guaranteed to pull for the featured weapon when they pull a 5-star.
The Weapon Permanent Convene also shares the same mechanic, as it will always provide the selected weapon when pulling a 5-star. This is similar to the Theme Limited or Event Banners in Kuro Game's Punishing Gray Raven.
All Event Convenes will use Radiant Tides to pull, whether it's on the Character or Weapon banner. As for the Permanent Convenes, those will use Lustrous Tides instead.
Wuthering Waves Review
Wuthering Waves First Impressions
As a big fan of Kuro Game's Punishing Gray Raven, I've been hyped for Wuthering Waves since they announced the project over a year ago. And although the game does bear obvious similarities with Genshin Impact and, in effect, Breath of the Wild, my previous (or rather, current) obsession with Punishing really raises my expectations for their new title beyond that of merely inspired work.
Although my first impressions of the game were made under thick, rose-tinted glasses, I have no doubt that Kuro Game will deliver an excellent final product despite its rocky testing phases. Their commitment to creating an experience that everybody will enjoy can be witnessed in their small but gradual improvements showcased through their many social media posts on Wuthering Waves' official X (Twitter) account.
With an abundance of beautifully designed characters, cruel-looking enemies, and the promise of a story as expansive as its world, Wuthering Waves is a game I'm eagerly looking forward to playing.
Wuthering Waves Trailer
Closed Beta II Gameplay Trailer | Awakening: A World Reborn
The Awakening: A World Reborn trailer shows players more of what's to come in Wuthering Waves, teasing new characters, enemies, and locations.
Showcase Trailer
Kuro Game's latest Wuthering Waves trailer showcases the various locations players can explore while playing the game.
Wuthering Waves Product Information
 |
|
| Title | WUTHERING WAVES |
|---|---|
| Release Date | May 22, 2024 |
| Developer | Guangzhou Kuro Technology Co., Ltd. |
| Publisher | Guangzhou Kuro Technology Co., Ltd. |
| Supported Platforms | PC, Mobile |
| Genre | Action, RPG |
| Number of Players | 1 |
| ESRB Rating | N/A |
| Official Website | Wuthering Waves Website |
