We’re back with another double bill! The Steam Autumn Sale just came and went, and I picked up a bunch of fun new games to mess around with while I juggle them with every other game I’ve picked up lately.
Today, I cover Wuchang: Fallen Feathers and Firefighting Sim: Ignite. I wasn’t planning on playing a Souls-like and hardcore firefighting simulation, but sometimes my bingo card likes to surprise me. They’re both pretty solid games so far, by my experience, even if their genres aren’t entirely to my taste.
Wuchang: Fallen Feathers
Wuchang: Fallen Feathers probably did not help itself in my case, as I’m not a huge Souls fan at heart, but I was interested in it nonetheless. It is the debut title of Leenzee Games, and while it has had a somewhat tumultuous time since launch, it isn’t without its own charms. I’m not typically into the Soulslike genre, but I do appreciate it now and then. I’m not very far into the game so far, but there’s enough in what I’ve seen to keep playing, at least for now.
One of its standout features is the combat system. While it draws heavily from established Soulslike traditions, it introduces unique elements with a wide range of weapons for some impressive diversity in combat. I’m also quite a fan of the lore and world at play. It’s full of Chinese mythology with some gorgeous environments, even if the locations are still a little linear for my liking. Still, the setting is excellent, and the game still has some rewarding exploration. I discovered hidden paths that lead to secret bosses, and all the levels are interconnected. It’s not quite a whole open world, and it pales in comparison to how the Elden Ring approached exploration, but it’s probably my favorite feature of Wuchang, too.
While the game is challenging, I also appreciate how you can respec from scratch at any time you wish. Usually, this ability is locked behind limited items or uses, so being able to experiment with builds without any significant downsides is a great feature, and I wish more games kept it.
Wuchang: Fallen Feathers was quite brutal on launch in terms of performance, with many players on PC and PS5 experiencing stuttering, muddy visuals, and numerous frame drops. While the game has been frequently patched since launch, I’ve had plenty of struggles with the performance, and it is my biggest complaint with the game so far. I ended up playing Wuchang through GeForce Now’s cloud service instead. The combat is pretty punishing as soulslikes go, and while the overall battle system is something I’m okay with, I’ve seen some issues with hit detection and some odd animations. None of these are dealbreakers, but they don’t help matters.
Finally, while I’m quite keen on the setting and the world, the story is pretty minimalistic. I don’t feel it’s a weak narrative, but I don’t feel any real attachment to the characters or the story so far, though that may improve as I progress through the game.
Firefighting Simulator: Ignite
By far the more interesting of the two titles I’m covering today! We rarely get simulators that focus on firefighting, especially in a genre that’s taken every other shape and form. It feels like a new ‘INSERT SOMETHING HERE’ Simulator game launches on Steam every few days.
Firefighting Simulator: Ignite launched last month and has its own unique charm. It is rough around the edges, with some noticeable jank, but we don’t get games like this often, and there’s a lot to like in this one. The game kicks off with you playing as a U.S firefighter, but it’s not just about extinguishing fires. That is a significant part of the appeal, with excellent dynamic fire effects and destructible environments, but there’s more to it than meets the eye.
Players must rescue trapped civilians, manage electrical and grease fires, prevent backdrafts, navigate hazards such as explosions and structural collapses, and save people. There’s also dynamic gameplay behind this, with actual logistics, as you must set up your hose by connecting to hydrants, attaching nozzles, selecting the appropriate extinguishing agents, and ensuring ventilation. There’s a lot of gameplay on display, and you can play solo or co-op. While the AI for solo can be a bit clunky and bugs out now and then, there’s a surprising skill in how they control. You can get them to carry out their separate tasks, and there’s a solid balance with how the devs managed all these mechanics.
Performance aside, all this ambition seems like the game is struggling under the weight of it all. None of these are deal-breakers to me, however. Finally, the fire station itself feels like it’s lacking something to me. While visually appealing, it lacks sufficient activities or meaningful interactions to engage players in the long term as a hub, so I would like to see some interactive elements added here.
Overall, though, Firefighting Sim: Ignite is a lot better than I expected, and while it has some jank, there’s more than enough here to keep me engaged. Give it a go. It might just surprise you.
