Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty‘s first enlargement, Battle of Zhongyuan, was a by-the-numbers affair. It demonstrated why Team Ninja’s motion sport excelled whereas additionally not addressing its faults. Conqueror of Jiangdong, the second DLC, is in the same boat and has a handful of unbelievable and difficult boss fights. But whereas its positives are nonetheless evident, this follow-up enlargement additionally extra clearly factors out Wo Long’s shortcomings.
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Nioh had probably the most primary and simple DLC. Its expansions added new story ranges, a weapon, spells, extra gear, a…
Wo Long continues to be — and can probably all the time be — a implausible motion sport with easy controls. Melee bouts are quick, and deflecting blows is a responsive central mechanic that may greater than help all the sport. Unlike Lies of P, the window is just a little on the large aspect, however this permits gamers to really feel extra highly effective with out requiring perfection. Using the stamina-like Spirit Meter intelligently (which this replace has additionally buffed) is an easy-to-grasp mechanic that yields extra depth with out overcomplicating all of it.
There simply aren’t many new enemies to train these fight talents on. Its lobster creatures are each foolish and an excellent addition to the bestiary, however there’s not a lot else in addition to that; even the degrees themselves don’t stand out from what Team Ninja has already created. Conqueror of Jiangdong’s handful of levels has the standard jungles and wet shipyards which are additionally within the base expertise. Nioh 2’s DLC improved over time by going increasingly fantastical so as to stand out from the bottom sport, but those self same rules haven’t been utilized to Wo Long.
The new boss fights fare just a little higher however are unnecessarily hamstrung. As is the case with nearly each different a part of Wo Long, these climactic showdowns are held again by the pleasant AI. They both make battles laughably simple or create an excessive amount of chaos and artificially crank up the issue. While they’re probably meant to dial down the general stage of problem and create a extra distinctive expertise, they only make Wo Long worse.
However, these showdowns are nonetheless good at their core, and that is solely evident if gamers exit of the way in which to dismiss the AI or play the aspect missions that strip away companions. This permits gamers to truly be taught patterns and persist by way of talent, not luck. Every certainly one of these bosses is excellently designed and has a ton of strikes that require speedy reflexes to deflect, so it’s disappointing that these higher battles can solely shine in non-compulsory quests. The final boss doesn’t get its personal aspect mission, although, and is among the hardest and most rewarding fights in the entire sport. Although, that’s solely evident after dismissing each dumb allies which are simply liabilities carrying armor.
Friendly characters diminishing Wo Long’s fight was an issue within the unique marketing campaign however is much more prevalent and annoying right here. Any irritation like that’s solely going to compound if it retains occurring, and this DLC has given it that house.
This holds true for Wo Long’s different annoyances, like its simple problem and limitless provide of ineffective gear. Conqueror of Jiangdong isn’t a lot of a problem, particularly for anybody who has completely mined the remainder of the sport. These comparatively easygoing ranges make the ultimate boss much more stunning because the problem spike is so ludicrously sudden and steep. There’s additionally a brand new function that mechanically sells armor, weapons, or equipment underneath a sure threshold when resting at a battle flag (which is useful), but it surely doesn’t handle the underlying drawback of how bloated its gear system is.
The one new notable piece of apparatus is the brand new weapon: the lengthy sword. It’s terribly defined within the temporary tutorial pop-up, but it surely’s an fascinating blade that’s constructed round charging assaults. Charging doesn’t depart gamers completely weak, both, because it’s nonetheless potential to deflect incoming blows whereas focusing. Parrying whereas charging builds energy even quicker, so it incentivizes and rewards expert play and people who are keen to danger taking part in offense and protection on the identical time. As was the case with the cestus gauntlets in Battle of Zhongyuan, Team Ninja has repeatedly proven its knack for creating distinctive weapons that may change how the sport is performed.
Wo Long: Conqueror of Jiangdong DLC Review: Final Verdict
Team Ninja nonetheless can’t inform tales, although, as Conqueror of Jiangdong’s cutscenes are nonsensical and haphazardly stitched collectively to justify going to every stage. And whereas the plot doesn’t matter right here, it’s yet one more instance of how the studio is treading water with Conqueror of Jiangdong. This sophomore enlargement consists of some superb boss fights, however ones which are nonetheless sullied by unhelpful allies and relegated to aspect missions. These hiccups sit on high of the sport’s small pile of issues that’s slowly rising because the DLC rolls out. Wo Long continues to be a high quality motion sport and Conqueror of Jiangdong is a reminder of that, but it surely additionally factors out — and magnifies — its weaknesses.
Boss fights are difficult and various
The lengthy sword is a novel addition to the sport’s arsen
Allies nonetheless throw off the sport’s rhythm
Massive problem spike highlights how simple non-boss fights are
Disclaimer: This Wo Long: Conqueror of Jiangdong DLC evaluate is predicated on a PS5 copy supplied by the writer. Played on model 1.018.000.
