Wo Lengthy: Fallen Dynasty‘s first growth, Battle of Zhongyuan, was a by-the-numbers affair. It demonstrated why Staff Ninja’s motion recreation 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. 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 fundamental and easy DLC. Its expansions added new story ranges, a weapon, spells, extra gear, a…
Wo Lengthy remains to be — and can seemingly all the time be — a implausible motion recreation with easy controls. Melee bouts are quick, and deflecting blows is a responsive central mechanic that may greater than assist your entire recreation. In contrast to Lies of P, the window is slightly on the vast aspect, however this permits 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 talents on. Its lobster creatures are each foolish and an important 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 Staff Ninja has already created. Conqueror of Jiangdong’s handful of levels has the everyday jungles and wet shipyards which might 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 recreation, 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 slightly 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 issue. Whereas they’re seemingly meant to dial down the general stage of problem and create a extra distinctive expertise, they simply make Wo Lengthy worse.
Nonetheless, 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 aspect missions that strip away companions. This permits gamers to really study patterns and persist by way of talent, not luck. Each considered 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 elective quests. The final boss doesn’t get its personal aspect mission, although, and is likely one of the hardest and most rewarding fights in the entire recreation. Though, that’s solely evident after dismissing each dumb allies which might 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 area.
This holds true for Wo Lengthy’s different annoyances, like its simple problem and countless provide of ineffective gear. Conqueror of Jiangdong isn’t a lot of a problem, particularly for anybody who has totally mined the remainder of the sport. These comparatively easygoing ranges make the ultimate boss much more stunning for the reason that problem spike is so ludicrously sudden and steep. There’s additionally a brand new function that routinely 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 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 temporary tutorial pop-up, but it surely’s an fascinating blade that’s constructed round charging assaults. Charging doesn’t go away gamers completely weak, both, because it’s nonetheless attainable to deflect incoming blows whereas focusing. Parrying whereas charging builds energy even quicker, so it incentivizes and rewards expert play and people who are prepared to danger taking part in offense and protection on the identical time. As was the case with the cestus gauntlets in Battle of Zhongyuan, Staff Ninja has repeatedly proven its knack for creating distinctive weapons that may change how the sport is performed.
Wo Lengthy: Conqueror of Jiangdong DLC Evaluate: Last Verdict
Staff 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 one more instance of how the studio is treading water with Conqueror of Jiangdong. This sophomore growth contains some superb boss fights, however ones which might be 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 Lengthy remains to be a top quality motion recreation and Conqueror of Jiangdong is a reminder of that, but it surely additionally factors out — and magnifies — its weaknesses.
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Boss fights are difficult and various
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The lengthy sword is a novel addition to the sport’s arsen
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Allies nonetheless throw off the sport’s rhythm
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Large problem spike highlights how simple non-boss fights are
Disclaimer: This Wo Lengthy: Conqueror of Jiangdong DLC evaluate is predicated on a PS5 copy offered by the writer. Performed on model 1.018.000.