Wuchang: Fallen Feathers Patch Draws Backlash
Wuchang: Fallen Feathers, a notable Souls-like game that received positive reviews for its gameplay mechanics, was previously in the news for its performance issues on PC. While updates released shortly after launch mitigated some technical issues, developer Leenzee’s latest 1.5 patch has sparked a whole new debate. Players argue that this update, which radically alters the game’s storyline and combat, amounts to “censorship.”
Censorship Reactions to Wuchang: Fallen Feathers Story
The 1.5 patch released for Wuchang: Fallen Feathers wasn’t limited to technical fixes. The inability to kill certain historical characters has completely altered key aspects of the story. For example, the fight with the Ming general Zhao Yun no longer ends with a dramatic death scene, but with a dialogue telling the player that he “passed the trial.” Similarly, it’s stated that the Dragon Emperor loses consciousness after the battle, but will not die but will reawaken.
These changes are believed to stem from sensitivities surrounding the Ming Dynasty, the game’s setting. Some Chinese players viewed the portrayal of Han rulers and soldiers as enemies as a historical and cultural insult. It was argued that the game presented an “anti-Han, pro-Manchu” perspective, particularly due to the traumatic perception the Qing Dynasty had inflicted on Chinese history.
Developer Leenzee’s drastic changes with the patch, prompted by these pressures, were met with backlash from the global player base. This not only undermined the game’s dramatic structure but also streamlined combat mechanics and reduced enemy variety. Many users argued that this decision directly impacted the game’s spirit and atmosphere.
Following the patch, a barrage of reviews began on Steam and other platforms. Players interpreted the story changes as a “censorship of creativity,” while the development team’s silence further fueled the controversy. The global community argued that while games are inspired by historical facts, they are works of fiction, and that such drastic changes are wrong.
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