Summary
Wuchang: Fallen FeathersandBlack Myth: Wukongare both very similar games. They both have soulslike elements, are inspired by Chinese folklore and history, and have some truly epic and difficult boss battles for players to contend with. Both games also place combat front and center, and are set in lush, engaging environments.
However, if you haven’t played both games yet, or are wondering whether you should choose between one or the other, you might be wondering which game is better. That’s why we’ve created this breakdown, comparing and contrasting different elements of each game. Here’s a side-by-side of Wuchang: Fallen Feathers and Black Myth: Wukong.
8Environment
Black Myth: Wukong
This first element of gameplay is almost a dead-tie, but we’re going to give a slight edge to Black Myth thanks to its overall visual impression. While both games have distinct and interesting environments to explore, the different areas of Wuchang: Fallen Feathers are not as intuitive to navigate.
In Black Myth, not only are the different environments of the game unique and visually engaging, but the level design feels much more intuitive. I personally found myself lost more than once in Fallen Feathers, though the levels in which focused exploration is rewarded, like Cloudspire, feel much more competitive with Black Myth.
7Story
Neither Fallen Feathers nor Black Myth has what I would refer to as a particularly engaging story. Some moments really sing in both, particularly during Black Myth’s ending, which does help give this game a slight edge over Fallen Feathers. Mostly, though, Black Myth wins out due to its vignette-like structure.
Because each of the game’s main levels is framed by an interesting piece of folklore inspired by Journey to the West,the narrative of Black Mythfeels a bit more streamlined and engaging. More than once during Fallen Feathers, I found myself completely lost as to what I was pursuing or which characters I was meant to engage with.
6Combat
Tie
Despite the fact that Black Myth describes itself as an action RPG, and does in fact lack a lot of specific soulslike elements that are very prevalent in Fallen Feathers, both games do have incredibly similar combat systems. Plus, both games place a lot of emphasis on boss battles.
Ultimately, the combat differences in these games, while present, feel mostly negligible. If anything, I might give Fallen Feathers a slight edge only thanks to the complexity of its skill trees, but more on that in a little bit.
5Size
Both of these games' levels are designed in much the same way. When you encounter a new area, there is largely a linear path for you to follow with some offshoots that can lead to bonus encounters or other secrets. However, because neither game is open world, and each takes about 25-40 hours to complete, depending on the type of player you are, their size also feels about the same.
In my impression, Black Myth has a longer main story, while Fallen Feathers has more bonus content, roughly evening out throughout both games. In some ways, it is fair to say that Fallen Feathers feels a bit bigger sometimes, thanks to the amount of branching paths you may take.
4Graphics
This one is no contest. Black Myth: Wukong has been previously heralded as one of the most visually stunning games of its generation, while Fallen Feathers has suffered from graphical and optimization issues. In my playthrough of Fallen Feathers, I suffered horrible graphics glitches, which can be critical during key boss battles.
Not only that, but Black Myth has wonderful visual effects that give movement a sense of sweeping animation. Boss’s arms stretch impossibly far, sparks and elemental pixel effects are rendered wonderfully, and I could go on and on. Black Myth takes this category handily.
3Progression
Wuchang: Fallen Feathers
While both games have interesting progression systems and skill trees, personally, I lean towards Fallen Feathers thanks to its sense of customization. Plus, skill progression feels a bit more constant in Fallen Feathers. It’s really rewarding when you can upgrade your abilities in Black Myth, but these upgrades can be few and far between depending on your playstyle.
The Fallen Feathers skill tree allows for interesting emphasison different weapon types, encouraging both well-roundedness and specificity. Plus, you can combine weapon skill with different benedictions, pendants, and spells to create truly unique builds that are perfect for your specific playstyle.
2Bosses
Potentially extremely hot take incoming. First of all, I do want to say that Black Myth: Wukong does have excellent bosses as well. This is in no way, shape, or form a landslide. However, I do feel that Fallen Feathers had some truly unique boss battles that really engaged my brain in a way that some of the Black Myth bosses just didn’t.
However, the key reason we’re giving this category to Fallen Feathers has to do with pace. While both games do have a lot of bosses, it’s really easy for Black Myth: Wukong to feel like a total boss rush from start to finish. Sometimes, the pace of this can feel so relentless that it starts to feel tedious. Of course, if you really like boss rushes, you won’t have the same issue. But, personally, I prefer to break up boss battles with more exploration sections, which Fallen Feathers has in spades.
1Winner
Even though both games definitely have their perks and their drawbacks, this one really is a landslide victory for Black Myth: Wukong. Between its stunning visuals, engaging combat, and more emotional and evocative story, Black Myth: Wukong just has a lot more going for it than Fallen Feathers.
Ultimately, though, if you are looking fora more traditional soulslike experience, you might enjoy Fallen Feathers more. Truth be told, Black Myth really is more of an action RPG, so you might want to avoid falling into the trap of assuming it’s a traditional soulslike. However, as a game, regardless of genre, Black Myth: Wukong reigns supreme.
