Wo Lengthy: Conqueror of Jiangdong DLC Evaluation (PS5): Uneven Territory

Wo Lengthy: Fallen Dynasty‘s first enlargement, 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 enlargement additionally extra clearly factors out Wo Lengthy’s shortcomings.

Wo Lengthy continues to be — and can doubtless at all times be — a unbelievable motion sport with clean controls. Melee bouts are quick, and deflecting blows is a responsive central mechanic that may greater than help the complete sport. In contrast to Lies of P, the window is a bit on the large facet, 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 skills on. Its lobster creatures are each foolish and an amazing 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 standard jungles and wet shipyards which are additionally within the base expertise. Nioh 2’s DLC improved over time by going increasingly more fantastical so as to stand out from the bottom sport, but those self same ideas haven’t been utilized to Wo Lengthy.

The brand new boss fights fare a bit 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 doubtless meant to dial down the general stage of problem and create a extra distinctive expertise, they only 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 facet missions that strip away companions. This permits gamers to really be taught patterns and persist by way of ability, not luck. Each one in every 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 facet mission, although, and is among the hardest and most rewarding fights in the entire sport. Though, that’s solely evident after dismissing each dumb allies which are simply liabilities carrying armor.

Pleasant characters diminishing Wo Lengthy’s fight was an issue within the authentic 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 problem and limitless 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 shocking because the problem spike is so ludicrously sudden and steep. There’s additionally a brand new characteristic that robotically sells armor, weapons, or equipment beneath a sure threshold when resting at a battle flag (which is useful), nevertheless it doesn’t handle the underlying downside of how bloated its gear system is. 

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, nevertheless it’s an fascinating blade that’s constructed round charging assaults. Charging doesn’t depart gamers completely susceptible, both, because it’s nonetheless doable to deflect incoming blows whereas focusing. Parrying whereas charging builds energy even sooner, so it incentivizes and rewards expert play and those that are prepared to danger enjoying offense and protection on the similar 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 Evaluation: Ultimate 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 stage. And whereas the plot doesn’t matter right here, it’s yet one more instance of how the studio is treading water with Conqueror of Jiangdong. This sophomore enlargement consists of some wonderful boss fights, however ones which are 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 continues to be a high quality motion sport and Conqueror of Jiangdong is a reminder of that, nevertheless it additionally factors out — and magnifies — its weaknesses.

Disclaimer: This Wo Lengthy: Conqueror of Jiangdong DLC evaluation relies on a PS5 copy offered by the writer. Performed on model 1.018.000.