Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty for Windows

Action game inspired by the Three Kingdoms period

Wo Long: Fallen Destiny is a premium action game for PC and console developed by Team Ninja, a division of Koei Tecmo Games. In this third-person action-adventure, players are nameless military soldiers in a dark fantasy version of the Later Han Dynasty during the warring Three Kingdoms period of China.

As it was created by the same developer, Nioh, Nioh 2, and Wo Long: Fallen Destiny share a similar DNA of fast-paced combat and extensive customization options. These elements allow players precise control over their preferred playstyles, making the game ideal for those who seek dynamic action and personalized gameplay.

Donning a new visage

Game developer Team Ninja is known for its Dead or Alive games, the Ninja Gaiden series, and most recently, its own twist on the Souls-like genre in the form of Nioh and Nioh 2. That said when Wo Long: Fallen Destiny was released, it drew comparisons to the dev's previous outing. However, there are some distinct differences that make it stand apart from its predecessors.

Wo Long features a more streamlined and focused combat, relying more on timing and deflection—it's fast, visceral, and satisfying. You can even jump now, which changes how you approach fights and exploration. You have multiple weapon types to choose from, each with its own unique set of skills and play styles, in addition to your choice of elemental acuity and summons that will power up your attacks.

The game also features a unique spirit bar—similar to the Posture bar in Sekiro—which you need to keep in check during battle, with blue denoting increased power and battle effectiveness, while red means you're playing too passively and opens you to vulnerabilities. Meanwhile, the morale system encourages you to explore and defeat as many enemies to help increase your base strength in future encounters.

Robust character creator

Like Nioh 2’s character creation system, Wo Long boasts a plethora of customization options to explore and choose from—that which can overwhelm. These include base and preset hairstyles, makeup, voice templates, and many more. With the game’s built-in sliders, you can adjust your character’s cheekbone height and forehead depth, among others, to help you create the perfect character. It also includes options to input another player’s character code or select your personal pronoun—with the latter being a great addition for inclusivity.

A considerable caveat

While the entire premise of Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty seems intriguing, the heavy focus on melee combat with weapons like swords and glaives may limit gameplay variety and accessibility for some players. For those looking for more diverse playstyles beyond close-quarters sword-fighting, the option to utilize wizardry spells and call upon divine beasts could alleviate the narrow focus on blade-based combat. By incorporating fantastical elements like magic and mythological beasts, Wo Long may be able to provide more varied and engaging gameplay for players with different preferences.

Swift and savage

Featuring a character creator, Wo Long: Fallen Destiny is one of the more interesting action games to play. After all, it takes on a new theme and setting from its predecessors while keeping the signature mechanics that its developer is known for intact. The combat is swift, focused, and satisfying. If you're a fan of the Nioh games, this title is definitely worth checking out.