Wo Long: Conqueror of Jiangdong DLC Review: A Mixed Bag of Boss Fights and Shortcomings

Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty’s second expansion, Conqueror of Jiangdong, has arrived, and it brings with it a mix of new boss fights and glaring shortcomings. While the DLC still showcases the strengths of Wo Long, it also magnifies its weaknesses.

A Fantastic Action Game with Smooth Controls

Wo Long is undeniably a fantastic action game with smooth controls. The melee combat is fast-paced and engaging, with a responsive deflecting mechanic that adds depth to the gameplay. The wide window for deflecting blows allows players to feel powerful without requiring perfect timing. Additionally, the intelligent use of the Spirit Meter adds an extra layer of strategy without overwhelming complexity.

Lack of New Enemies and Unremarkable Levels

One of the disappointments of Conqueror of Jiangdong is the lack of new enemies to test players’ combat abilities. While the addition of lobster creatures to the bestiary is amusing, there isn’t much else in terms of enemy variety. Even the levels themselves fail to stand out from what Team Ninja has already created in the base game. In contrast, Nioh 2’s DLC took a more fantastical approach to differentiate itself, but Wo Long falls short in this regard.

Brilliant Boss Fights Hindered by Unhelpful Allies

Conqueror of Jiangdong introduces a handful of challenging and well-designed boss fights. However, these climactic showdowns are hamstrung by the presence of unhelpful AI allies. The friendly AI either makes battles laughably easy or creates chaos and artificially increases the difficulty level. While the intention may be to create a unique experience, the result is a hindrance to the overall gameplay.

These boss fights shine when players dismiss the AI companions or engage in side missions that strip away the allies. This allows players to learn patterns and rely on their skill rather than luck. Unfortunately, the final boss does not have its own side mission, but it remains one of the toughest and most rewarding fights in the game. Dismissing both AI allies becomes necessary as they only serve as liabilities wearing armor.

Easy Difficulty and Useless Gear

Conqueror of Jiangdong is not a significant challenge, especially for players who have thoroughly explored the rest of the game. The relatively easygoing levels make the sudden and steep difficulty spike of the final boss all the more surprising. While the new feature of automatically selling low-tier gear is helpful, it does not address the underlying problem of the game’s bloated gear system.

The Long Sword: A Unique Addition to the Arsenal

One notable addition in the DLC is the long sword, a unique weapon that revolves around charging attacks. While the tutorial pop-up fails to explain it adequately, the long sword encourages players to take risks by charging attacks. Skilled play and the ability to balance offense and defense are rewarded with increased power. Team Ninja once again demonstrates their knack for creating engaging and distinct weapons.

Final Verdict: A Reminder of Strengths and Weaknesses

Conqueror of Jiangdong reinforces the fact that Wo Long is still a quality action game. The amazing boss fights in the DLC showcase the game’s potential, but the presence of unhelpful allies and relegated battles to side missions tarnishes the experience. These issues add to the growing list of problems that Wo Long has yet to overcome. Team Ninja’s struggle to tell coherent stories further highlights the DLC’s shortcomings.

Pros:

• Challenging and varied boss fights
• The long sword is a unique addition to the game’s arsenal

Cons:

• Unhelpful AI allies disrupt the game’s rhythm
• Massive difficulty spike highlights the ease of non-boss fights

Despite its flaws, Wo Long: Conqueror of Jiangdong serves as a reminder that the game is still worth playing. However, it also accentuates and magnifies its weaknesses, leaving players yearning for a more polished experience.

Disclaimer: This Wo Long: Conqueror of Jiangdong DLC review is based on a PS5 copy provided by the publisher and played on version 1.018.000.

Source link