Wuchang: Fallen Feathers Hits 114K Players at Launch, But Performance Issues Arise
▼ Summary
– Wuchang: Fallen Feathers launched with 114,000+ concurrent players on Steam, making it one of the biggest non-FromSoftware Soulslike releases.
– The game initially received “overwhelming negative” reviews due to performance issues, clunky combat, and a lifeless protagonist, later improving to “mostly negative.”
– Some players reported severe performance problems, while others with optimized systems had a smooth experience, sparking debate about unfair criticism.
– Set in the late Ming Dynasty, the game follows a warrior battling supernatural enemies and uncovering secrets in a collapsing empire.
– Despite mixed reviews, IGN rated it 8/10, praising its combat, level design, and bosses, while noting uneven difficulty and ambush-heavy gameplay.
Wuchang: Fallen Feathers has stormed onto Steam with an impressive 114,000+ concurrent players at launch, marking one of the strongest debuts for a Soulslike game outside the FromSoftware catalog. The title currently ranks among Steam’s top 10 most-played games, surpassing competitors like Lies of P and Lords of the Fallen, which peaked at significantly lower player counts. While concurrent numbers don’t tell the whole story, they highlight the game’s immediate impact, though not all reactions have been positive.
Despite its strong start, performance issues have dominated player feedback, dragging initial Steam reviews into “overwhelmingly negative” territory before settling at “mostly negative.” Out of 6,500+ reviews, only 21% are positive, with complaints centering on unoptimized gameplay, erratic framerates, and clunky combat mechanics. One frustrated player noted, “The potential is there, but technical problems make it unplayable for many.” Others criticized the protagonist as lifeless and the combat as unforgivingly rough.
Not everyone faced these hurdles, however. A minority reported smooth performance, sparking debates over whether the issues stem from the game or weaker hardware setups. “Runs flawlessly for me,” countered one reviewer, “which makes the backlash feel unfair.”
Set in the chaotic late Ming Dynasty, Wuchang: Fallen Feathers casts players as a warrior battling a grotesque feather plague while unraveling secrets in the crumbling Shu kingdom. Critics praised its intricate level design, challenging bosses, and deep skill system, with IGN awarding it an 8/10 despite noting occasional difficulty spikes and reliance on ambush tactics.
The game launched on July 24, 2025, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC via Steam and Epic. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers gained day-one access, broadening its reach. For now, the divide between its commercial success and player satisfaction remains stark, leaving room for patches to potentially turn the tide.
(Source: IGN)
