Martial Artists: Talking to the Creative Force Behind the Upcoming Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty

Unexpected acclaim at the Microsoft and Bethesda Games Showcase. Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty wowed us with its unique blend of supernatural elements mixed with some wild-looking swordplay — both features one would expect to see from master games craftsmen Fumihiko Yasuda (Ninja Gaiden, NiohMasaaki Yamagiwa (Bloodborne, Tokyo Jungle).

Xbox Series X|S on day one with Xbox Game Pass on March 3, 2023, Wo Long: Fallen DynastyThis action-packed, epic Souls-like adventure is being created. It tells the tale of a soldier in the militia fighting to survive in a dark fantasy world mixed with classic Chinese Three Kingdoms settings. With a combat system inspired by Chinese martial arts swordplay, you’ll shift between offensive and defensive based attacks, with battle styles inspired by the five elements of Chinese Medicine (wood, fire, earth, metal, and water), using them to battle all manner of demons and horrific-looking creatures inspired by myth.

For more information about the sensational game we spoke with Yamagiwa and Yasuda. Wo-Long: Fallen Dynasty’s unique setting, their approach to creating challenging (but fair) combat mechanics, and more.

Thank you for answering some questions we have for tomorrow. Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty. We are interested in your past work for Xbox. Could you briefly introduce yourself and tell us about the games that you worked on previously?

Yasuda: Hi, I’m Fumihiko Yasuda. This game is also produced by me. I was previously involved in a number of other games that saw people cut with swords like the one below. Ninja GaidenAnd NiohSeries, director/producer

Yamagiwa: I am (Masaaki) Yamagiwa of Team Ninja. Ich am the Development Producer of Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty. I previously worked as a producer at SIE on titles such BloodborneAnd Tokyo Jungle.

Can you tell us a little bit more about the hero we’ll be playing as in Wo-Long: Fallen Dynasty? Like in NiohIs he inspired or influenced by an historical figure?

YasudaThe character of the protagonist is an anonymous militia soldier, whose history isn’t told. We chose an original protagonist for this game because it is historical. It allows us not to place limitations on situations or production. Also, the ability to draw their relations with the various officers from the Three Kingdoms makes it easy to have the protagonist take part in epic battles.

Wo Long: Fallen DynastyAs a spiritual follower to the Nioh series. Is that a good description of what we can expect from the game? Wo Lang?

YasudaIt will have a Team Ninja-like level of difficulty and intense combat. The game’s time period and location are all different. I believe that the most significant difference in these games will be in how the players experience the action. NiohIs samurai action during Wo LangIt is a Chinese martial-arts action-based video game. Each game has its own unique system and gameplay.

Which approach do you take to fighting insecurity? Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty? Is this how the Chinese martial art experience will feel for players? What other influences can we look forward to in the martial arts?

Yasuda: Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty, there isn’t the notion of stamina, and instead there is the presence of Deflects which can lead to instantly interchanging between offensive and defensive moves, so it’s a design where there are highly fast-paced battles and constant switching between offense and defense. Players will have a lot more fun fighting aggressive enemies, who are extremely powerful.

Why did you decide to tell the story in dark fantasy? Have you been thinking about this for quite some time?

Yasuda: When thinking about Team Ninja and what is next for the Nioh series, we were considering a world that wasn’t “Sengoku-era Japan,” and since I personally really like the stories of the officers of the Three Kingdoms, we began thinking about the concept of a dark action RPG that takes place during the chaotic Three Kingdoms period. With the legends of the several thousand-year history of China, the visual style of the Late Han period, a map with an overwhelming scale, combined with the tempo and strategic combat based in Chinese martial arts, we decided it would be the concept of a new title, and that’s how we began working on Wo Lang.

Music plays an essential role in setting the tone of the world and the atmosphere. Talk about the creative process of bringing these instruments to life. Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty?

Yamagiwa: We’re using traditional Chinese musical instruments such as the erhu to create music that really fits the game. In order to create battle music, officers must choose a theme. This theme is based on an officer’s life and personality. We then devise strategies that allow the theme to be modified and highlighted during battles.

We would love to hear about your inspirations and influences in designing games. Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty?

Yamagiwa: The following are dark fantasy titles that we referenced: Dark SoulsWe tried many different visuals to find the right one, especially as this game was based on China and Three Kingdoms. We also took inspirations from other games and Chinese history, including Chinese films and historic records. This resulted in Qi and demons, and many other elements that made this game great.

What aspect of the game is most important to a new player to this genre? Wo Long: Fallen DynastyWhat do you think will be most memorable to them?

YasudaWhile this game isn’t easy, players should feel the accomplishment after they have overcome challenging moments. In order to do that, the game can’t be irrational but needs to be fair and have a high degree of freedom, so we are especially careful on this aspect while retaining the signature Team Ninja feel that we are particular about.

Fumihiko Yamagiwa & Masaaki Yamagiwa, thank you for your time and interest in our upcoming games. Wo-Long: Fallen DynastyS|S. Wo-Long Fallen Dynasty Xbox Game Pass, which will be available on March 3, 2023, is also being launched day one. Xbox Wire will keep you updated on the latest information about your favourite Xbox games.

Wo Long Digital Deluxe Edition: Fallen Dynasty Digital

KOEI TECMO AMERICA

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

$84.99

Pre-Order Bonus: Wolong: Fallen Dynasty Zhuque Armor

Special Early Purchase Bonus for Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty Baihu Armor
NOTE: This bonus is only available for a limited time if you purchase the game by March 16th 2023.
Please note: The content could be available to purchase later.

■Set Includes:
　・Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty (full game)
　・Digital Art Book
　・Digital Mini Soundtrack
　・Season Pass (Includes additional DLCs Battle of Zhongyuan, Conqueror of Jiangdong, Upheaval in Jingxiang, and Season Pass Bonus Qinglong Armor)

Note: Release dates for the DLCs included in the Season Pass may be subject to change.
DLC “Battle of Zhongyuan” scheduled for release in June 2023
DLC “Conqueror of Jiangdong” scheduled for release in September 2023
DLC “Upheaval in Jingxiang” scheduled for release in December 2023

Note: About the Digital Art Book andDigital Mini Soundtrack:
This digital art book includes images of characters, scenes and much more. It also contains the Digital Mini Soundtrack which has some of the in-game musical content.

A dragon rises from the darkness.

The Team NINJA presents a new action RPG for dark fantasy Three Kingdoms.

184 AD, Later Han Dynasty China. Chaos and destruction have overtaken the land. This is the moment when the empire dynasty, which was a success for so many years, will collapse.

Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty tells the story of a militia soldier who fights for survival in an alternate version of the Later Han Dynasty, where demons terrorize the Three Kingdoms. The swordplay is based on Chinese martial arts and allows players to fight deadly enemies soldiers with swordplay. They also attempt to defeat the odds by awakening their true power.

Wo Long can be described as a crouching Dragon, but also as a Hero or Person of Greatness that is still unknown. This is the story of officers, who will later become heroes, during their ‘unknown’ period, and also the story of a protagonist’s rise from being a ‘nobody’.

The Digital Deluxe Edition includes the following: You can also purchase the standard edition.
Important: To access various content, you must have internet connectivity.
Not all Season Passes can be purchased as standalone products. You should not purchase more than one Season Pass.
Not all Season Pass content can be used if the main game is completed.

Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty

KOEI TECMO AMERICA

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

$59.99

Pre-Order Bonus: Wolong: Fallen Dynasty Zhuque Armor

Buy Early and Get a Bonus Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty Baihu Armor
NOTE: This bonus is only available for a limited time if you purchase the game by March 16th 2023.
Please note: The content could be available to purchase later.

A dragon rises from the darkness.

The Team NINJA presents a new action RPG for dark fantasy Three Kingdoms.

184 AD, Later Han Dynasty China. Chaos and destruction have overtaken the land. This is the moment when the empire dynasty, which was a success for so many years, will collapse.

Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty tells the story of a militia soldier who fights for survival in an alternate version of the Later Han Dynasty, where demons terrorize the Three Kingdoms. The Chinese martial arts are used to combat enemies soldiers and deadly creatures. They also use swordplay, which is inspired by the Chinese martial arts.

Wo Long can be described as a crouching Dragon, but also as a Hero or Person of Greatness that is still unknown. This is the story of officers, who will later become heroes, during their ‘unknown’ period, and also the story of a protagonist’s rise from being a ‘nobody’.

Important: To access various content, you must have internet connectivity.
Notable: This version is the regular edition. You can also purchase the Digital Deluxe Edition.