In the realm of gaming, the launch of Wuchang: Fallen Feathers has stirred quite a conversation, particularly regarding its performance on PC. Despite the game’s modest system requirements, players have reported a range of issues, leading to a wave of ‘Mostly Negative’ reviews on Steam. The reality, however, is nuanced and merits a closer examination.
Performance Insights
Initial impressions reveal that while the game does indeed struggle on maximum settings, the situation is not as dire as the review scores might imply. Performance issues such as stuttering and slow frame rates are present, particularly when utilizing DLSS 4 frame generation, which appears to be either malfunctioning or implemented in a perplexing manner. However, with some strategic adjustments to settings, players can significantly enhance their experience, even on lower-end graphics cards.
The minimum system requirements have proven to be reliable. For instance, equipping a 6GB GTX 1060 with the RPS Test Rig’s high-end CPU and RAM yielded an average of 44fps at 1080p on the Low preset, aided by TSR upscaling. Meanwhile, the recommended specs showed that Intel’s Arc A750 managed an average of 51fps on High, again with TSR assistance. While 60fps is typically the target for recommended hardware, it’s encouraging to see that older and more affordable components can still deliver a playable experience.
However, average frame rates only tell part of the story. Players frequently encounter traversal stutter, particularly when entering new areas, which disrupts the fluidity of gameplay. Additionally, TSR’s visual quality falls short compared to other titles utilizing Unreal Engine 5, exhibiting noticeable ghosting and aliasing, especially on higher settings. For those without an RTX graphics card to leverage DLSS, TSR becomes a necessity to maintain performance at 1080p.
Many performance complaints likely stem from attempts to run Wuchang on its highest presets, Extreme and Ultra. For example, testing with the RTX 4060—one of the most popular GPUs among Steam users—revealed a stark contrast in performance between high and low settings. At 1080p with TSR set to Quality mode, Extreme averaged 52fps and Ultra 55fps, while High, Mid, and Low presets saw significant improvements, hitting 64fps, 72fps, and 124fps, respectively. This discrepancy suggests that expectations for high frame rates on newer hardware may have been overly optimistic, given the game’s low minimum specs.
Fortunately, the Low preset’s performance benefits can be attributed to a select few settings. The most demanding options include Shadow quality, Vegetation quality—thanks to the abundance of large trees—and Global Illumination. Lowering these settings from Extreme or Ultra can yield a notable increase in frame rates.
For those equipped with compatible GPUs, switching from TSR to DLSS is highly advisable. Although Nvidia’s technology may result in approximately 8% slower performance on the RTX 4060, it offers a sharper and cleaner visual experience, with improved anti-aliasing and fewer visual artifacts. In a benchmark test with adjusted settings—Shadow quality on Mid, Vegetation on Low, Global Illumination disabled, and DLSS set to Quality—performance improved to a commendable 80fps. While this did not eliminate stuttering, it did alleviate some of the disruptions, achieving a balance between Mid and Low presets while maintaining high-quality individual settings.
Exceeding 60fps also opens the door for frame generation possibilities, particularly for RTX 40 and 50 series GPUs. However, an unusual quirk in the game’s handling of frame generation deserves mention: it disables during ambient dialogue. Players may find themselves enjoying smooth frame rates while exploring, only to experience a sudden drop when encountering NPCs. This peculiar behavior, which seems to be a bug, underscores the importance of not relying solely on frame interpolation to mitigate Wuchang’s performance challenges. Instead, players are encouraged to make thoughtful sacrifices in settings to elevate their gaming experience.
