Wo Long: Conqueror of Jiangdong DLC Review: A Mixed Bag
Team Ninja’s action game, Wo Long, has released its second expansion, Conqueror of Jiangdong, and while it offers some incredible boss fights, it also highlights the game’s weaknesses.
Combat Mechanics and Enemy Variety
Wo Long continues to impress with its smooth controls and fast-paced melee bouts. The central mechanic of deflecting blows is responsive and adds depth to the gameplay. However, the expansion lacks new enemies to test these combat abilities against. While the lobster creatures are a fun addition, the levels and enemies do not stand out from the base game.
Showdowns and Boss Fights
The boss fights in Conqueror of Jiangdong are challenging and well-designed. However, they are hampered by the friendly AI, which either makes battles too easy or unnecessarily chaotic. The AI’s presence diminishes the overall experience, and the true brilliance of these battles can only be appreciated in optional quests or by dismissing the AI companions.
Difficulty Spike and Gear System
The expansion itself is relatively easy, which makes the sudden difficulty spike in the final boss fight jarring. Additionally, Wo Long’s gear system remains bloated, despite the introduction of a new feature that automatically sells low-level equipment. The game could benefit from addressing these issues to enhance the overall experience.
The Long Sword and Storytelling
The new weapon, the long sword, adds an interesting dynamic to the gameplay with its charging attacks and the ability to deflect while charging. However, Team Ninja’s storytelling still falls flat, as Conqueror of Jiangdong’s cutscenes are nonsensical and poorly crafted.
Final Verdict
Wo Long: Conqueror of Jiangdong is a mixed bag. While it showcases some excellent boss fights and unique gameplay elements, it also accentuates the game’s weaknesses. The expansion suffers from unhelpful allies, a sudden difficulty spike, and a lack of enemy variety. However, at its core, Wo Long remains a quality action game.