Wo Lengthy: Fallen Dynasty‘s first growth, Battle of Zhongyuan, was a by-the-numbers affair. It demonstrated why Group Ninja’s motion sport excelled whereas additionally not addressing its faults. Conqueror of Jiangdong, the second DLC, is in an analogous boat and has a handful of unimaginable and difficult boss fights. However whereas its positives are nonetheless evident, this follow-up growth additionally extra clearly factors out Wo Lengthy’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 Lengthy remains to be — and can seemingly at all times be — a implausible motion sport with clean controls. Melee bouts are quick, and deflecting blows is a responsive central mechanic that may greater than help your entire sport. In contrast to Lies of P, the window is just a little on the large facet, however this enables gamers to really feel extra highly effective with out requiring perfection. Utilizing 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 skills on. Its lobster creatures are each foolish and an awesome addition to the bestiary, however there’s not a lot else moreover that; even the degrees themselves don’t stand out from what Group Ninja has already created. Conqueror of Jiangdong’s handful of phases has the everyday jungles and wet shipyards which can be 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 ideas haven’t been utilized to Wo Lengthy.
![Wo Long: Conqueror of Jiangdong DLC Review (PS5):](https://www.playstationlifestyle.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2023/10/Wo-Long_-Fallen-Dynasty_20231004224805.jpg?w=1024)
The brand new boss fights fare just a little higher however are unnecessarily hamstrung. As is the case with nearly each different a part of Wo Lengthy, 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 problem. Whereas they’re seemingly meant to dial down the general degree of problem and create a extra distinctive expertise, they simply make Wo Lengthy worse.
Nevertheless, these showdowns are nonetheless good at their core, and that is solely evident if gamers exit of the best way to dismiss the AI or play the facet missions that strip away companions. This enables gamers to really be taught patterns and persist by talent, not luck. Each one among 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 facet mission, although, and is without doubt one of the hardest and most rewarding fights in the entire sport. Though, that’s solely evident after dismissing each dumb allies which can be simply liabilities sporting armor.
Pleasant characters diminishing Wo Lengthy’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 Lengthy’s different annoyances, like its simple issue 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 shocking for the reason that issue spike is so ludicrously sudden and steep. There’s additionally a brand new characteristic that mechanically sells armor, weapons, or equipment beneath a sure threshold when resting at a battle flag (which is useful), but it surely doesn’t deal with the underlying downside of how bloated its gear system is.
![Wo Long: Conqueror of Jiangdong DLC Review (PS5):](https://www.playstationlifestyle.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2023/10/Wo-Long_-Fallen-Dynasty_20231004141353.jpg?w=1024)
The one new notable piece of kit is the brand new weapon: the lengthy sword. It’s terribly defined within the transient tutorial pop-up, but it surely’s an fascinating blade that’s constructed round charging assaults. Charging doesn’t go away gamers completely susceptible, both, because it’s nonetheless potential to deflect incoming blows whereas focusing. Parrying whereas charging builds energy even sooner, so it incentivizes and rewards expert play and people who are keen to danger enjoying offense and protection on the identical time. As was the case with the cestus gauntlets in Battle of Zhongyuan, Group Ninja has repeatedly proven its knack for creating distinctive weapons that may change how the sport is performed.
Wo Lengthy: Conqueror of Jiangdong DLC Assessment: Closing Verdict
Group Ninja nonetheless can’t inform tales, although, as Conqueror of Jiangdong’s cutscenes are nonsensical and haphazardly stitched collectively to justify going to every degree. And whereas the plot doesn’t matter right here, it’s one more instance of how the studio is treading water with Conqueror of Jiangdong. This sophomore growth contains some wonderful boss fights, however ones which can be nonetheless sullied by unhelpful allies and relegated to facet missions. These hiccups sit on high of the sport’s small pile of issues that’s slowly rising because the DLC rolls out. Wo Lengthy remains 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 diverse
The lengthy sword is a novel addition to the sport’s arsen
Allies nonetheless throw off the sport’s rhythm
Huge issue spike highlights how simple non-boss fights are
Disclaimer: This Wo Lengthy: Conqueror of Jiangdong DLC evaluation is predicated on a PS5 copy supplied by the writer. Performed on model 1.018.000.