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

A true soulslike of the Three Kingdoms

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I love a game with a good parry system. Whether it be the frame-perfect execution of nullifying an attack inStreet Fighter 6,or rapid katana deflections inMetal 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’sWo 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, likeDark SoulsandSekiro: 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 Longlowers the barrier for entry to one of my favorite gameplay mechanics, making that soulslike formula accessible to a much wider audience.

Souls for all

Now, I adore the Soulsborne games; fromDemon’s SoulstoElden Ringand 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 ofDemon’s SoulsValley of Defilement, the infamous Anor Londo archer section inDark Souls,and the encounters with the frenzy-inducing Winter Lanterns ofBloodborne,to name a few. They’re all moments of sigh-inducing dread in otherwise phenomenal games.

It seems thatWo Long: Fallen Dynastyhas 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’sparry system works against every attack in the game – including projectiles – and is designed to feel both satisfying and rewarding. The timing required is strict butjustgenerous enough that you’ll feel encouraged to learn the timings of every enemy attack instead of attempting to panic dodge roll through everything.

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In fact,Wo Longmakes 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. ThePS5DualSense wireless controller’s haptic feedback kicks in, too, putting the icing on the cake.Wo Long’sparry system is intellectually and visually stimulating while rewarding the player for a job well done.

Dynasty warriors

There is a tradeoff, though. In focusing so much on getting the player to parry,Wo Long: Fall Dynastysomewhat 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 Longsacrifices 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 outWo 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 onXbox Series X|S, it practically costs nothing to check the game out, as it’ll be available day one of release onXbox Game Pass. I had a blast playing through my new favorite soulslike, and I hope you will, too.

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.

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