Wuthering Waves – A Rocky Start, a Satisfying Ride Review
(Spoilers Ahead)
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1. Narrative and World-Building, 2. Gameplay & Systems, 3. Visual Presentation, 4. Audio Design, 5. Interface & Controls, 6. Replayability & Content Depth, 7. Technical Performance, 8. Innovation & Genre Identity, 9. Final Thoughts, 10. Join the Conversation
1. Narrative and World-Building
Main Storyline
Wuthering Waves doesn’t exactly make a strong first impression when it comes to storytelling. The early chapters are riddled with vague terminology and a pacing that feels disjointed, making it hard to connect with what’s at stake or even understand what’s happening. However, I stuck with it—and I’m glad I did. Once the narrative transitioned into the Rinacita arc, the writing tightened, the stakes became clearer, and the emotional weight finally landed. This section in particular is where the game found its footing and began to deliver on the promise of its mysterious world and ambitious premise. From that point on, I found myself invested in the story’s direction and eager to uncover more.
Character Development
The character writing in Wuthering Waves is surprisingly solid once the story gains momentum. While Aalto and Yangyang didn’t leave much of an impression on me, the rest of the cast—especially Carlotta, Jinshi, and the Rover—stood out with layered personalities and emotional growth. The Rover, in particular, plays a more involved narrative role than your average gacha game protagonist, and Jinshi’s internal struggles make her one of the more compelling figures in the story. Each major quest does a good job fleshing out different facets of the cast, making them feel like more than just battlefield units.
Lore & Setting
Despite the bumpy start, the world of Wuthering Waves gradually reveals itself to be both rich and conceptually intriguing. Terms like “Echos,” “Tacet Discords,” “Threnodian,” and “The Lament” can be overwhelming at first, but they begin to make more sense as the story unfolds. The setting has a distinct post-cataclysmic vibe, mixing desolate beauty with moments of quiet reflection and haunting tension. Even when I wasn’t fully following every narrative thread, the world design and ambient storytelling pulled me in and made me want to explore every corner.
2. Gameplay & Systems
Core Mechanics
Wuthering Waves borrows heavily from Genshin Impact’s foundation, but adds its own refinements that make a noticeable difference in moment-to-moment gameplay. The Echo System functions similarly to Genshin’s Artifact system, though it feels more streamlined in some ways. One standout improvement is the mobility system—climbing becomes far less tedious thanks to the sprint mechanic, stamina isn’t consumed during basic traversal unless swimming or climbing, and fall damage is much more forgiving. These changes might seem small, but they add up to a smoother and more player-friendly experience overall.
Combat Design
Combat in Wuthering Waves is fast, fluid, and more intricate than I initially expected. Although the three-character party system feels like a downgrade compared to Genshin’s four-slot flexibility, the depth of each character’s kit more than makes up for it. Characters have unique intro and outro skills that add a rhythmic flow to swapping mid-combat, and the addition of a proper lock-on system is a huge plus—something I always wished Genshin had. It may not reinvent the wheel, but it definitely adds more mechanical finesse to each encounter, making battles consistently engaging.
Exploration & Mobility
Even though I’m not typically drawn to open-world exploration in games—I usually prefer focusing on character building and story progression—Wuthering Waves genuinely impressed me with its traversal system. Parkour feels natural, the grappling hook is fast and responsive, and the gliding is smooth. The world design makes the act of moving around feel fun in itself, which is a rare thing for a player like me. It’s one of the best implementations of mobility I’ve experienced in an action RPG of this style.
Quests & Side Content
The main quests shine brightest once the game reaches the Rinacita region, where the writing, pacing, and world-building finally come together in a meaningful way. As for the side quests—I haven’t done many of them, which is fairly typical for how I play these games. That said, the few I’ve completed felt competent if not particularly memorable. It's too early for me to say whether the side content holds hidden narrative gems or just filler, but it hasn’t gotten in the way of the main story’s momentum.
3. Visual Presentation
Art Direction
Wuthering Waves boasts a fantastic visual identity that comfortably sits within the anime-inspired genre while still managing to carve out its own space. From the clean UI to the atmospheric environments and striking cutscenes, the game oozes style without ever feeling like a copy of its contemporaries. It carries a slightly more grounded tone than Genshin, with its moody lighting and sci-fi ruins adding an air of mystery and melancholy that fits the post-apocalyptic setting. The aesthetic feels deliberate, polished, and confidently executed.
Graphics Quality
Running the game on PS5, I’ve experienced no performance issues whatsoever. Everything from lighting to particle effects is silky smooth, with polished animations that elevate both exploration and combat. Attacks look powerful, Echo activations are visually distinct, and weather effects contribute to an immersive world without dragging the system down. Simply put, the game looks beautiful and plays like it was built for this generation of hardware.
Character & World Design
The character models are top-tier across the board—each one designed with flair and attention to detail, from costumes to combat animations. Even if I’m not a fan of Jinshi’s hair color or those heavy eyelashes, her overall look still fits her story and personality. I’m also a little on the fence about the Tacet Marks, those glowing tattoos the characters have, but since they tie directly into the game’s core lore, it’s a minor gripe more than a real complaint. Enemies and environments all reflect the game's tone, with enough visual diversity to keep the world feeling alive and reactive to the player’s journey.
4. Audio Design
Music & Soundtrack
While the soundtrack isn’t necessarily the strongest pillar of Wuthering Waves, it does its job well enough. The music complements the mood of exploration and combat without being intrusive, and every now and then I catch myself humming a few of its recurring melodies—which says something about its quiet effectiveness. It might not reach the emotional heights of some other RPGs I’ve played, but it still manages to carve out a fitting atmosphere, especially during story-heavy sequences and boss fights.
Voice Acting
The voice acting across the board is decent, but there’s one performance that absolutely stands out—Carlotta, voiced by Jennifer English. The moment I heard her speak, I instantly recognized her from Clair Obscure: Expedition 33, where she brought Maelle to life with the same emotional depth and clarity. Her presence elevates every scene she’s in, bringing a sense of authenticity and warmth that few others in the cast quite match. The rest of the voice cast holds their own, but Carlotta’s delivery is on a different tier.
Sound FX
Wuthering Waves delivers sound design that, while subtle, does a great job reinforcing the game’s tone and mechanics. The clang of weapons, the burst of Echo activations, and the distinct audio cues tied to counters all make combat feel responsive and satisfying. Outside of battle, the world sounds quiet and eerie in the best way—distant howls, broken tech humming, or the gentle rush of wind across desolate landscapes all add to the post-cataclysmic atmosphere. It’s not flashy or overly cinematic, but it’s detailed in ways that quietly support immersion while you explore or fight.
5. Interface & Controls
User Interface (UI)
The UI in Wuthering Waves is one of the game’s most polished and user-friendly features. Information like skill cooldowns, mission objectives, and Echo management is clearly presented without overwhelming the screen. Navigating menus feels smooth, and everything from upgrading Resonators to tracking quests is intuitive and snappy. The visual layout strikes a nice balance between functionality and style, making it easy to stay focused on gameplay without constantly pausing to figure things out.
Control Feel
Movement and combat controls are tight and fluid, whether you're scaling cliffs, gliding across rooftops, or dodging mid-battle. Everything responds cleanly, with little to no input lag on PS5. The only hiccup I’ve run into—and it’s entirely on me—is occasionally pressing the wrong button in combat. Coming from Genshin Impact, I sometimes hit “Circle” instead of “Square” for basic attacks due to muscle memory. But that’s not a flaw in Wuthering Waves’ design—just a small adjustment period when switching between two games with similar control schemes. Overall, the controls feel great in both exploration and combat.
6. Replayability & Content Depth
Game Length
Like most gacha-based live service games, Wuthering Waves isn’t designed with replayability in the traditional sense. There’s no “New Game+” or reset option—it’s a persistent account-based experience meant to evolve over time. Starting over would mean creating a whole new account, which I wouldn’t recommend given the steady rollout of content and character progression systems. The story campaign and main regions are meaty enough to satisfy early players, and with consistent updates every six weeks, it respects your time by offering depth without demanding burnout-level commitment.
Endgame & Re-engagement
Where Wuthering Waves really shines is in how its daily and weekly content is integrated with character building. Unlike Genshin, where farming often feels like a separate chore, here the loop is smoother—you’re strengthening your characters while naturally completing your dailies. It’s a subtle but smart design choice that makes the grind feel less like a checklist and more like actual progress. Endgame modes like the Tower of Adversity also add a layer of challenge for those seeking repeatable high-difficulty content.
Future Content Plans
The game’s commitment to future updates is already apparent—just a day before I started writing this review, a new patch dropped that expanded the main story and added fresh content. And here I am writing instead of playing. That’s the kind of pull the game has when it’s actively being updated with meaningful additions. If Kuro Game keeps this momentum, I see Wuthering Waves becoming one of those gacha titles that’s truly worth sticking with long-term.
7. Technical Performance
Stability & Optimization
Five months after launch, Wuthering Waves runs extremely well on PS5. I haven’t experienced any noticeable frame drops, long load times, or technical hiccups during my time with the game. Movement, combat, and transitions between menus or zones feel smooth and responsive. I’ve only played on the America server and can’t speak for cross-region or mobile/PC versions, but from a PS5 perspective, the optimization is solid and consistent.
Bugs & Glitches
As of now, I haven’t run into any bugs or glitches that would impact gameplay. No invisible enemies, no softlocks, no random crashes—just a clean experience from start to finish. It’s nice to see a live-service game that maintains technical stability months after release, especially given how often these types of titles can degrade over time with frequent updates. So far, Wuthering Waves has remained impressively reliable.
8. Innovation & Genre Identity
Original Systems
Wuthering Waves may not reinvent the wheel, but it does refine it in some meaningful ways. The Echo system, while structurally similar to Genshin’s Artifact system, adds a twist by turning these stat-boosting items into summonable abilities, giving them mechanical presence in combat rather than being purely passive. The intro/outro skill system also adds a fresh layer of tactical rhythm to party switching, creating a smoother combat flow. While these systems aren't revolutionary, they show that Wuthering Waves isn’t just copying its competitors—it’s iterating on the formula with some thoughtful ideas of its own.
Comparative Standing
In the crowded space of open-world action RPGs and gacha titles, Wuthering Waves finds a respectable middle ground. It doesn’t quite surpass Genshin Impact when it comes to story quality or world cohesion, but it absolutely stands ahead of games like Tower of Fantasy, which I dropped entirely. In fact, Wuthering Waves succeeds where others fail by creating a gameplay loop that encourages character growth without exhausting the player. For me, it even handled open-world exploration better than Breath of the Wild, a game I bounced off twice. It might not be the most genre-defining entry out there, but it has enough strong design choices to carve out its own identity in a crowded field.
9. Final Thoughts
Overall Experience
Wuthering Waves had a rough start for me. The early story was confusing, the terminology overwhelming, and the characters didn’t immediately grab my attention. But I’m glad I stuck with it, because what started as a shaky experience slowly grew into a game I genuinely enjoy logging into. While it’s not the most emotional game I’ve played, it has its charm—especially through moments of well-timed comedy or quirky character interactions. It may not tug at your heartstrings, but it knows how to keep you entertained and invested once the narrative hits its stride.
Who It's For
I’d definitely recommend Wuthering Waves to gacha veterans looking for a deeper, more combat-driven alternative to the usual suspects. It’s also a great fit for open-world exploration fans who enjoy fast, fluid traversal and satisfying mobility. Story-first players might struggle early on due to the convoluted setup, but if they can push through the first act, there’s solid payoff waiting. Anyone burned out on overly repetitive gacha loops might also find this game refreshing, thanks to how seamlessly it ties dailies and progression into character building.
10. Join the Conversation
Now that you’ve read my take on Wuthering Waves, I’d love to hear yours. Whether you're deep into endgame or just considering jumping in, let’s talk:
What was your first impression of Wuthering Waves—and did it change over time like mine did?
Which character has become your favorite, both in combat and in story?
Do you think the Echo system brings anything new to the genre, or is it just more of the same?
How do you think it stacks up against Genshin Impact or other open-world gacha games?
What would you love to see improved or added in future patches?
Drop your thoughts in the comments—I’m always up for a good RPG discussion.
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