Wuchang Fallen Feathers is one of several AAA games that China plans to release in 2025, often receiving support from PlayStation through the China Hero Project program. These titles have been in development for years, including Phantom Blade Zero, Lost Soul Aside, Where Winds Meet, The Perceiver, and now Wuchang Fallen Feathers. Beyond the hype generated by revealing gameplay videos, their success is largely attributed to Black Myth Wukong’s remarkable performance, earning over a billion dollars within just 15 days. This achievement has given these games additional interest and credibility in a market previously less receptive to solo narrative games. However, mindsets are shifting, and the surge in sales of Black Myth Wukong, particularly in China, indicates the emergence of a new market composed of approximately 600 million active players, significantly impacting industry dynamics. Recently, studio Leenzee invited several Western media outlets to experience Wuchang Fallen Feathers firsthand with controllers. This event provided insights into both the game’s universe and its gameplay mechanics.
Wuchang Fallen Feathers is a game that may not be widely known but has been in development for nearly four years, since September 2021. It was created by Leenzee studio, which was founded in 2016 by Xia Siyuan and is based in Chengdu, a city in Sichuan province, China, approximately 300 kilometers from Chongqing, known for its cyberpunk atmosphere. When Leenzee was established in 2016, it initially focused on honing its skills in interactive films and PC VR games, an area that seemed promising at the time, according to Xia Siyuan, the studio’s CEO. The studio also produced AD 2047, a cyberpunk narrative thriller in virtual reality; however, this game did not perform well, and with the subsequent collapse of the VR market, Leenzee had to reinvent itself and find alternative revenue sources such as subcontracting and after-sales services.
TAKING OFF
Here is the translation of the provided French paragraph to English:—Wuchang Fallen Feathers is an upcoming AAA game from Chinese studio Leenzee, based in Chengdu, which has been under development since 2016. Initially focusing on interactive films and PC VR games like the unsuccessful cyberpunk narrative AD 2047, Leenzee had to pivot due to the declining VR market and sought new revenue sources such as subcontracting and after-sales services. In September 2021, Wuchang Fallen Feathers was revealed to the public. Supported by PlayStation’s China Hero Project program and generating interest following Black Myth Wukong’s success, this game is now one of several highly anticipated AAA releases from China scheduled for a 2025 release. Wuchang Fallen Feathers exemplifies the evolving Chinese gaming market, which has over 600 million active players, as more solo narrative games gain traction, an area previously underexplored by this demographic. Recently, Western media received an exclusive preview of the game’s universe and gameplay using controllers.— (Do not use this. It is only for reference.)
Tradition, Then Modernity
One of the primary inspirations for the Feather Disease is an archaeological site located north of Chengdu called San xing dui, which translates to “Mountain of Three Stars.” Discovered in the 1980s, archaeologists uncovered artifacts dated by carbon-14 to the Bronze Age, corresponding with the ancient Shu Kingdom. Among the sculptures and masks found at this San xing dui site are depictions of a feathered man, possibly referencing Xian, immortal beings from Chinese folklore, reminiscent of biblical angels. For Xia Siyuan, head of studio Leenzee, the Feather Disease is not entirely negative; it also presents an opportunity to gain new powers and alter one’s life path. Balance is crucial, as often highlighted in the game Wuchang Fallen Feathers, where interactions with other non-player characters (NPCs) may result in rejection or even aggression due to the disease mark, although Wuchang itself might not be the true threat. The game alludes to an inner demon, suggesting that its nature could become corrupted throughout the adventure.
Regarding gameplay, Wuchang Fallen Feathers most closely resembles a Souls-like among other Chinese AAA titles set to release in 2025 and 2026, featuring less nervous movement speed but a deeper understanding of enemy patterns. To emphasize this more grounded aspect, the game does not allow Wuchang to jump. Dodging is her primary defense mechanism, and whether she can parry enemy attacks depends on the weapon she wields. For example, with a two-handed heavy weapon, she cannot parry, but with a halberd, it is possible. Each weapon will have its own skill tree, and various abilities will enhance their effectiveness. Blocking with two-handed weapons is also an option, though this ability unlocks after tens of hours of gameplay. As progression continues, multiple techniques and combos become available, continually surprising the player.
OPEN YOUR WORLD
Regarding the overall structure, Wuchang Fallen Feathers will be divided into 5 chapters, each featuring an open zone with unique culture and aesthetics. The game includes numerous locked doors that encourage player exploration, and players can return to previous zones via specific passages. The release date for Wuchang Fallen Feathers is yet to be announced; however, the studio Leenzee is confident about the game’s progress, particularly since they are backed by 505 Games, which plans a release on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series without favoring any platform. Currently, the game is halfway between its Alpha and Beta stages in development and has significantly evolved over the past few years. Recently, it was discovered that the success of Black Myth Wukong has attracted numerous investors to closely examine Wuchang Fallen Feathers, potentially enabling more hires to further enhance the game’s quality. We look forward to a final product that meets our expectations.
