Wo Long: Fallen Dynastyis the latest Soulslike action-RPG from Team Ninja.The Soulslike genre is continuing to grow and evolve at a rapid pace, with expectations higher than ever thanks in part to FromSoftware’sElden Ring, the 2022 Game of the Year winner that many consider to be among the greatest video games of all time.Elden Ringmixed an open-world concept with FromSoftware’s razor-sharp gameplay and the results were stunning. Despite this,Wo Long: Fallen Dynastyproves that being open-world is not a requirement for a Soulslike, and its own unique mission structure and checkpoint systems work just as well in their own way.
Though it may be classed as a new IP,Wo Long: Fallen Dynastyresembles Team Ninja’sNiohfranchise. Cosmetically, the games have a lot in common, with similar weapons and armor available which can be upgraded using crafting materials. The mission structure in both is also very similar, with players operating from a menu list of available missions, selecting which one they want to tackle next.Wo Long’s maps are much bigger, though, and offer the player far more in terms of exploration. The game also allows players to hop between levels freely, a concept that lends itself very well to these huge missions.
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Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty’s Mission Structure Works Well
Players work their way through each mission, finding different-sized flags scattered around each map. The bigger flags act as checkpoints, healing the player and respawning enemies. This is the standard formula for aSoulslike, butWo Long: Fallen Dynastyputs its own spin on things. At each of these checkpoints, players can enter the mission select screen, and choose to enter a different mission altogether. Doing so will not lose any progress the player has made in the level they are exiting, and whenever they choose to return to it, they will immediately be right back where they left off.
Elden Ring’s accessibility is owed in part to the freedom it grants players to explore the world at their own pace. If they come across a difficult boss, there are almost always several other routes for them to take, allowing them to return to have another shot at the boss when they are stronger.Wo Longis a linear game by comparison, and getting stuck on a tough boss, such as thefirst fight with Lu Bu, could see the player with no viable way forward. However, this new system means they can at least exit the mission, go and do some side missions or repeat earlier missions to gain additional experience, and then instantly return right outside of Lu Bu’s arena entrance.
This is one of several neat innovations thatWo Long: Fallen Dynastydisplays, with others, including replacing the traditional stamina bar with a spirit gauge, equally impressive. With another successful Soulslike under its belt, Team Ninja is tackling an open-world project next; theupcomingRise of the Roninmay be the developer’s most ambitious game to date, despiteWo Long’s strides.
Wo Long: Fallen Dynastyis available now for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S.
