Wuchang Fallen Feathers just got a quality-of-life update that Soulslike fans have been requesting since launch. Version 1.7 went live November 20, 2025 on Steam, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X and S, introducing a boss rechallenge feature that lets players instantly retry boss fights after dying instead of respawning at distant checkpoints. The update also unlocks Deluxe Expansion 2 with three new costumes, two new weapons, and four free headgear items for all players.
This update arrives months after the infamous patch 1.5 controversy that saw developer Leenzee make certain historical figures unkillable, transforming challenging boss encounters into non-combatants and fundamentally altering the game’s narrative. That decision sparked massive backlash, review bombing on Steam, and accusations of censorship. Version 1.7 represents a step toward rebuilding goodwill with the community by focusing on features players actually want rather than changes nobody asked for.
Boss Rechallenge Finally Arrives
The headline feature in version 1.7 is the new boss rechallenge system. When you die during a boss encounter, you now get the option to immediately retry the battle. Selecting this option respawns you directly at the boss arena entrance rather than sending you back to the last checkpoint you rested at. It’s a simple feature that most modern Soulslikes include by default, but Wuchang launched without it.
For a game set in the dark and tumultuous late Ming Dynasty where death lurks around every corner, having to run back through cleared areas after boss deaths was one of the most frustrating aspects of the experience. Boss fights in Wuchang feature lengthy two-phase battles with single health bars and cutscenes that transform encounters into what feel like entirely new opponents. Dying in phase two meant repeating the entire sequence from the beginning after navigating back from distant checkpoints.
The rechallenge feature eliminates that tedium while maintaining the punishing difficulty Soulslike fans expect. You still lose progress when you die, but you’re not wasting time on the commute back to the fight. It’s the kind of respect-your-time improvement that modern game design should embrace, especially in a genre known for demanding hundreds of deaths before mastery.
Performance and Bug Fixes
Beyond the boss rechallenge feature, version 1.7 includes various bug fixes and performance optimizations occurring under specific conditions. The patch notes don’t detail every fix, but Leenzee has been consistently addressing technical issues since the disastrous launch that saw Wuchang drop to Overwhelmingly Negative reviews on Steam due to severe performance problems.
Those launch issues have been gradually ironed out through multiple patches, bringing the Steam review score back up to Mixed. The fact that version 1.7 continues addressing performance problems shows Leenzee is committed to technical stability even months after release. For a Chinese indie studio’s debut major title, the ongoing support is encouraging despite the controversy surrounding content changes.
Deluxe Expansion 2 Content
Deluxe Edition and Deluxe Upgrade Pack owners automatically receive the second expansion with version 1.7. The new content includes three exclusive costumes. Duskhaze Bamboo offers an elegant outfit, while Draconic Duskdance and Draconic Dawndance provide dragon-themed variations. Two new weapons join the arsenal as well. The Swanblade adds another sword option, while the Redcoil Waraxe expands melee variety.
All players regardless of edition receive four free headgear items. Jadeborn Grace, a wide-brimmed hat, a black traditional hat, and a black mesh headscarf provide cosmetic options for character customization. Combined with the first expansion’s free items, players now have six total free headgear pieces to collect. It’s a nice gesture that gives everyone something from the update rather than locking everything behind the premium edition paywall.
The Deluxe Edition now includes nine total costumes and eight weapons alongside the base game. That’s substantial bonus content for players willing to pay the premium price of 49.99 pounds, 59.99 dollars, or 59.99 euros. Whether the cosmetics justify the cost depends on how much you value appearance customization in a game where you’re constantly wearing armor and wielding weapons earned through gameplay.
The Censorship Controversy Context
Understanding the reception to version 1.7 requires context about the patch 1.5 disaster that happened in August 2025. That update fundamentally changed the game by making certain historically significant figures from the late Ming Dynasty unkillable. Boss encounters that previously required combat became passive interactions. A challenging section featuring Ming soldiers in Chapter 4 was neutered with enemies transformed into non-combatants.
The changes stemmed from reported backlash in China over being able to kill historically important characters. Some Chinese players complained about the game depicting violence against figures from their cultural heritage. Rather than offering regional versions or making changes optional, Leenzee applied the modifications globally to all players regardless of where they lived or whether they cared about the controversy.
The reaction was swift and brutal. Steam reviews plummeted as players accused Leenzee of censorship and ruining the game they purchased. Reddit discussions exploded with frustration over plot changes that made the story go from interesting to incredibly bad according to upset fans. The removal of a prayer gesture learned from a Portuguese Christian character added fuel to accusations of broader cultural sanitization beyond just the historical figure issue.
Community Workarounds and Mods
Some dedicated players found workarounds to restore the pre-patch experience. Steam users discovered how to roll back updates by editing game files, returning to version 1.0 that included all the content before censorship. A mod community emerged creating fixes to restore removed elements while keeping performance improvements from later patches. One fan wrote after 80 hours on Steam they pulled the trigger for console versions hoping to preserve the original experience.
The existence of restoration mods highlights how unnecessary the global application of changes was. Players who wanted the modified version could have it. Players who preferred the original combat and story could keep that. Instead, Leenzee made a one-size-fits-all decision that pleased nobody outside the specific complainants who sparked the controversy in the first place.
What Is Wuchang Fallen Feathers
For those unfamiliar, Wuchang Fallen Feathers is a Soulslike action RPG set in the land of Shu during the late Ming Dynasty. The setting features a mysterious illness called the Feathering that transforms people into monsters. Players control Wuchang, a pirate warrior afflicted with amnesia and the Feathering condition. Throughout the journey, you master new skills obtained from fallen enemies while sacrificing rare Red Mercury resources to evolve fighting styles and develop unique techniques.
The Feathering disease starts with feathers forming on your limbs, but as it progresses you lose memories, go mad, and eventually transform completely. It provides narrative justification for why most NPCs attack on sight while also granting Wuchang access to powerful abilities. The setting in Ming Dynasty China rather than typical dark fantasy medieval Europe gives Wuchang a distinctive aesthetic that helped it stand out when revealed.
Combat emphasizes weapon variety with swords, spears, dual blades, and other traditional Chinese weapons that can be augmented with enchantments. Boss encounters feature elaborate multi-phase battles with cutscenes and transformations that create epic confrontations. The game was built in Unreal Engine delivering impressive visuals of war-torn landscapes, architectural details of Ming era structures, and creature designs blending Chinese mythology with horror aesthetics.
Commercial Success Despite Controversy
Despite the censorship backlash and technical launch issues, Wuchang Fallen Feathers achieved solid commercial success. The game sold approximately 2.8 million copies across Steam, PlayStation, and Xbox platforms with estimates suggesting over 1 million units sold generating substantial revenue. Roughly 73 percent of Steam players came from China, with the United States a distant second at just 6 percent, demonstrating the game’s strong appeal in its home market.
The game appeared as number nine in top sellers for PlayStation 5 during July 2025, moving 291,000 copies on that platform in just the first seven days after launch. Average playtime sits around 18 hours according to data analysis, suggesting players who pushed through the technical issues found enough engaging content to justify their purchase despite mixed Steam reviews currently at 48.5 percent positive.
Microsoft’s [finance:Microsoft Corporation] Game Pass also contributed significantly to player numbers, with the game available on the subscription service from launch. Game Pass generated nearly 5 billion dollars in fiscal 2025 revenue with 34 million subscribers, providing substantial reach for titles included in the catalog. For an indie studio debut from developer Leenzee published by 505 Games, the commercial performance represents genuine success even accounting for the controversy.
Future Content Uncertainty
The million-plus sales would typically position Wuchang for post-launch DLC or sequel discussions. However, the censorship controversy casts doubt on whether Leenzee will pursue additional content. Fans worry that any expansion would face similar pressure to sanitize historical or cultural elements, undermining creative vision to appease nationalist complaints.
Some players suggested that if Leenzee created a brand new IP not rooted in ancient Chinese mythology to sidestep censorship concerns, they would buy it day one. The gameplay foundations, level design approach, and combat systems demonstrate real talent. The question is whether the studio can execute that vision without external pressure forcing changes that compromise the experience for global audiences.
Platform Release Details
Version 1.7 launched November 20, 2025 on Steam, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X and S. Epic Games Store and Windows PC versions received the update on November 22, 2025. The staggered release reflects different update approval processes across platforms, with console storefronts requiring certification that adds processing time compared to Steam’s more immediate deployment.
Players who experienced issues claiming the update content may need to troubleshoot. Problems can stem from previous version rollbacks or installation of third-party mods that interfere with the game’s file structure. The official patch notes provide solutions for common issues, though specifics require accessing Steam community discussions or official support channels for detailed instructions.
FAQs
What does Wuchang Fallen Feathers version 1.7 add?
Version 1.7 adds a boss rechallenge feature that lets players immediately retry boss fights after dying by respawning at arena entrances. The update also includes Deluxe Expansion 2 with three costumes, two weapons, and four free headgear items for all players, plus bug fixes and performance improvements.
When did Wuchang Fallen Feathers version 1.7 release?
Version 1.7 launched November 20, 2025 on Steam, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X and S. Epic Games Store and Windows PC versions received the update on November 22, 2025.
What is the Wuchang censorship controversy?
Patch 1.5 in August 2025 made certain historically significant Ming Dynasty figures unkillable, transforming boss fights into passive encounters. The changes were reportedly made after Chinese players complained about killing historical figures, but were applied globally rather than regionally, sparking massive backlash and accusations of censorship.
How many copies has Wuchang Fallen Feathers sold?
Wuchang Fallen Feathers sold approximately 2.8 million copies across all platforms with over 1 million confirmed unit sales. The game performed particularly well in China, which represented 73 percent of Steam players.
What is Wuchang Fallen Feathers about?
Wuchang Fallen Feathers is a Soulslike action RPG set during the late Ming Dynasty in Shu. Players control Wuchang, a pirate warrior with amnesia afflicted by the Feathering disease that transforms people into monsters. The game features challenging combat, weapon customization, and boss encounters in a setting plagued by war and supernatural threats.
What platforms is Wuchang Fallen Feathers available on?
Wuchang Fallen Feathers is available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and S, and PC via Steam and Epic Games Store. The game is also included in Xbox Game Pass.
What comes in Wuchang Deluxe Edition?
The Deluxe Edition includes the base game plus nine exclusive costumes, eight exclusive weapons, and one skill upgrade item. It’s priced at 49.99 pounds, 59.99 dollars, or 59.99 euros. Players can also purchase the Deluxe Upgrade Pack separately.
Conclusion
Version 1.7 represents Wuchang Fallen Feathers taking a step in the right direction after months of controversy and technical struggles. The boss rechallenge feature addresses a legitimate quality-of-life concern that should have been included at launch. The Deluxe Expansion 2 content provides value for premium edition owners while giving all players free cosmetic items. Bug fixes and performance improvements continue the gradual process of making the game technically stable. But the shadow of patch 1.5’s censorship changes looms over everything. That decision to make historical figures unkillable based on regional complaints applied globally damaged trust with the player base in ways that quality-of-life features can’t fully repair. Players who bought Wuchang for its dark Soulslike combat set during a tumultuous period of Chinese history found that darkness selectively sanitized to avoid offending certain sensibilities. Whether Leenzee can move forward with DLC or a sequel depends on whether they’re willing to stand behind creative vision or will continue compromising to appease the loudest voices. For now, version 1.7 makes the game more convenient to play. Just don’t expect it to restore what was removed when censorship took priority over player experience.