FIRST IMPRESSION:
The first time you face a boss and pull off a chain of combos with your entire team while dodging attacks you feel like a complete badass. There is a fast paced rhythm and visceral energy to encounters. The combat in this game is deep and satisfying. Wuthering Waves is an action RPG set in an open world after the Lament caused tacet discord monsters to appear. The main campaign focuses on your character Rover, who starts to discover who they are after awakening in this world and losing their memory. Although the standout feature is the combat, Wuthering Waves is more than just what’s on the surface. A well designed open world that encourages exploration through various systems, a focus on story and world building along with a captivating soundtrack all add to the overall experience.
Like many games with a lot of discourse surrounding it, Wuthering Waves is a reminder that if you are interested in a title, regardless of what others have to say you should check it out for yourself. There are various elements that upon surface inspection appear to be similar or derivative of other games but until you experience it and see how the entire package comes together you won’t know if it’s a game that will resonate with you or not.
Image Credits: Wuthering Waves Fandom, Creative Uncut
GAMEPLAY:
The combat is exceptional and the main standout feature of this title. On the surface it may appear that it’s just similar to other action games but the way that everything comes together places it among the best in the genre. Other games may mimic elements but they don’t come together in the exact same way. Action combat is one of those things that if it isn’t deep can easily become repetitive and boring. On top of that it isn’t just about pulling off your own characters’ combos. That also makes gameplay very stale. Combat must be interwoven with some reaction and defensive play with a sense of danger and challenge. This is why games like Bloodborne are so fun. It’s never just about pulling off your own combos but timing them and reacting to enemy attacks as well. This interplay is not easy to get right but Wuthering Waves pulls it off.
There are many factors at play that make combat satisfying. Characters each have their own forte. The central mechanic and power that makes them unique. In addition, they have their own basic combos, skills and liberation (ultimate) as well as an intro and outro skill (effects that trigger when you swap characters). Power is further augmented through leveling, weapons and echos. Echos are monsters you can absorb after defeating them. They act to provide additional stats and they can also be summoned to cast a skill. The challenge and satisfaction from combat comes from pulling off combos, swapping characters while simultaneously dodging attacks. It’s easy to pick up but challenging to master as things get more chaotic in battle. Throw in a variety of characters all with their own combos, playstyle and roles on the team (DPS/support/hybrid) and you will be constantly challenged to learn new combos, use the right character at the right time and become more effective in dealing damage. This interplay and complexity in the combat loop keeps it interesting throughout.
The open world is also cleverly designed to encourage exploration. This is missing in so many open world titles. Many open worlds just create a large environment but give little incentive to why it exists in the first place or there are so many markers on the map that there is no surprise or sense of discovery. This is where the echo system really adds to the open world experience. Echos come in various forms of rarity and with different substats in essence operating like items/gear. This makes you want to fight them when you encounter them in the open world. You know when a game has a fun and engaging open world when you want to just explore without always using the fast travel option.
Additional features in the open world also encourage exploration. On top of the echo system, there are side quests, cooking stations, mini encounters, loot boxes, puzzles and overlord battles. To traverse and explore this landscape, your character is equipped to scale walls, use a glider, grappling hook and has the ability to levitate objects. There are even moments during the campaign when the game turns into a side scrolling platformer. This all combines together to allow you to journey through the open world, fight, solve puzzles and explore in ways that are fun and creative. There’s a lot on offer here that add up to make a significant impact to the overall experience.
STORY:
Players that will enjoy this title the most are those that connect with the combat as well as the story. There is a strong emphasis on the narrative during the main campaign missions. Initially, there is a lot of focus on plot and establishing the world. However, there are interesting stories, conflicts, characters and action along the way. In particular, combat cutscenes are fun, cinematic and align with the feelings and tension of the moment. Much of the main story unfolds through the lens of your character Rover, who is still learning about the world and their identity and significance in the ongoing power struggle. Side stories can be hit or miss and not all of them are voice acted. Enjoyment of the story will depend on your connection and investment in the characters and interest in the plot. It’s still too early to really give a definitive take on story as there is still much more content to come and with it more opportunities to develop deeper characters and uncover more about the world.
ART & CHARACTER DESIGN:
The overall art direction does have its own visual style. In particular outfit and accessory design of some characters is fascinating. Much attention is paid to the use of specific color palettes, layering and intricate detailing. When it all comes together you get distinct and unique characters. However, this isn’t always the case and the overall look of some of the cast can feel more generic and blend in instead of standout. This can also happen with the personality of some characters feeling more subtle and/or similar to others. Character designs are at their best when Wuthering Waves leans much more into their own style.
Overall design of the open world environment is quite bright and colorful. The color and lighting in some of the interiors really standout like in the city hall area. For a post apocalyptic setting some aspects of it are quite uplifting. I know much of the early testing feedback from players was that the original designs were too dark and depression. It would have been interesting to see what those actually looked like. I can understand that when you are spending many hours in a game world that you want to feel inspired instead of dreary but it would also have been nice to see segments of their world that showcased their original artistry and vision. Just like character designs, this team produces some excellent art when they lean much more into their own visual identity and style.
MUSIC:
The music ranges from thoughtful daydreaming to action combat banger. What’s presented here seems very thoughtful and evocative for the moment. Tracks like “Lifted Clouds of Eons” elicit contemplative reflection and wonder. While some of the battle anthems for bosses is the type of fight music that makes you feel like a downright hero on a mission to save the world. Overall there is a nice mix of tracks here that significantly add to the overall experience.
GACHA ASPECTS:
Similar to their previous title Punishing Gray Raven, the overall amount of premium currency available to players who are free to play is generous compared to other mobile titles. Pity for banners also carries over from limited banners making it easier to pull for specific units. Just like in most gacha games planning and researching characters to help you decide on who to pull and pass on will allow you to save up and get the characters you want for your team.
As a new player starting out you will have access to a character selection ticket, allowing you to pick one unit of your choice from the 5 star regular pool. The other up side to units in this game is that some of the 4 star characters that you can get from just playing the game are usable and a helpful addition to your team.
As mobile games continue to evolve, I hope we see a more diverse range of models and monetization that doesn’t compromise game design allowing players to enjoy the game and developers to continue to produce new content for it.
CHALLENGES:
One of the main challenges is learning about all the game systems and the intricacies of combat. I had to review both written and video guides to start to gain a firm understanding of the mechanics. It’s nice that the game does offer optional tutorials that the player chooses to engage with instead of holding their hand and forcing them through it. It’s also understandable that a rewarding combat experience is going to come with a level of depth and complexity that will take some time to grasp. Once the concepts do sink it, it is definitely worth it.
Another challenge that most gacha style games face is can it create interesting content and gameplay outside of just creating new characters. Will the world and combat still feel interesting and have a sense of discovery once you’ve uncovered most of the map and/or gone through hundreds of battles. Can they still create new, innovative and engaging experiences? It’s still early on in the life of Wuthering Waves and we’ll have to wait to find out.
CLOSING THOUGHTS:
Wuthering Waves brings an exceptional combat experience to the table and upon deeper inspection it offers much more than that. With an open world and systems that promote exploration it presents an environment you want to explore and the ability to stumble upon encounters on your way to accomplishing specific missions. The art designs are interesting and at their best when they lean into their own visual identity. Music is thoughtful and downright badass at the right moments. Overall, Wuthering Waves is a reminder to look beneath the surface and to experience the game for yourself to decide if it is right style of game for you. Those that enjoy both the combat and story will discover a fun and captivating journey in this new world. You can also check out a review of the game’s 2.0 update here.
GAME DETAILS
PLATFORMS: Android/iOS/PC
RELEASE: 2024
DEVELOPER/PUBLISHER: Kuro Games
GENRE/TAGS: Action RPG, PVE, Story Driven, Open World
TARGET AUDIENCE: Those that enjoy a story driven action game with deep and satisfying combat mechanics.
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