《明末：渊虛之羽》是由中國靈澤科技開發、505 Games發行的黑暗奇幻類魂動作角色扮演遊戲，背景設定在明朝末年的巴蜀地區。融合「魂系戰鬥」機制、中國民俗恐怖元素與神秘瘟疫等題材，自2025年夏日遊戲節公開最新預告片後，引起玩家廣泛關注，並確認將於7月24日登陸PS5、Xbox Series X|S及PC平台，並同步加入Xbox Game Pass首發陣容。

故事發生在1647年明朝滅亡、張獻忠屠蜀之後的動盪年代。神秘的「羽化病」蔓延整個巴蜀，感染者會漸漸長出羽毛，最終化為怪物。主角「無常」是一位失憶的女俠，同樣感染羽化病，卻獲得操控「須羽」的能力，能於戰鬥中強化自身、對抗強敵。整體敘事採用類魂風格的碎片化講述，須透過地圖探索、NPC對話與環境暗示，拼湊整個世界與主角的真相。

遊戲內的「赤汞」系統類似《黑暗靈魂》系列的「靈魂」設計，是強化角色能力的主要資源；而「心魔」機制則增添心理恐怖要素，若死亡過多或頻繁擊殺人類敵人，心魔值會逐漸升高，導致難度上升，甚至出現追殺玩家的幻影敵人。此外，製作團隊也將大量川蜀民俗融入場景與人物中，包括古廟、石窟地形、四川方言配音等，並對歷史事件（如張獻忠屠川）進行藝術加工與重構。

戰鬥方面，在傳統魂系遊戲的基礎上創新性地引入「須羽系統」。透過完美閃避、招架或連段攻擊累積須羽層數，消耗後能強化招式或施放特殊技能。不同武器的須羽效果有所區別，斧頭能縮短蓄力時間，單手劍則具備自我回復須羽的能力。遊戲提供五種主要武器，各自擁有獨立的技能樹，根據喜好組合出適合自己的戰鬥風格，舉例來說：暴力削韌的斧戰派系、靈巧迅捷的雙刀流或可切換模式的長刀，從閃避走位到格檔反擊皆有設計。

Boss戰設計上，也展現出不俗的美術風格與玩法深度。預覽版本中就有如「缚魂木」（需利用火攻打敗）、「完美新娘」（融合恐怖與悲劇）的獨特 Boss。地圖則採非線性箱庭結構，處處隱藏捷徑與陷阱，充滿典型「魂味」，例如狹窄山道、伏擊敵人、關卡內的可破壞牆壁等。

市場方面，自公開以來獲得相當高的關注度，但玩家與媒體對其評價明顯分化。正面方面，多數玩家讚賞其戰鬥手感扎實、Boss設計出色，遊戲地圖富有探索價值；在文化呈現上，川蜀民俗與黑暗奇幻的融合也被認為比《黑神話：悟空》更具本土風格。技術層面上，光影表現、建模精度與UE5引擎所展現的動作流暢度亦獲得一致肯定。

然而，部分玩家指出該作早期版本風格過於類似《血源詛咒》，曾引發「換皮質疑」。所幸隨著須羽系統等創新機制的加入，這些批評逐漸減弱。另外，Boss戰難度浮動明顯、「心魔」值帶來的額外壓力也使新手玩家較難適應，甚至可能因此放棄挑戰。與《黑神話》的比較亦成焦點，製作人夏思源坦言本作「不如黑猴，但差距不遠」，而玩家社群則對兩款作品在敘事風格與戰鬥設計上的分野展開激烈討論。

作為繼《黑神話：悟空》後又一款定位為3A的中國自製魂系動作RPG，《明末：渊虛之羽》的發售成敗將直接影響市場對中國原創重度遊戲的信心。其Steam國區定價為248元人民幣（標準版），預購成績亮眼，尤其吸引喜愛高挑戰度與國風題材的玩家族群。505 Games的全球發行策略亦為本作進軍海外鋪平道路，能否達到《黑神話》式的全球熱度仍需觀察。開發團隊靈澤科技原為外包起家的小型工作室，轉型為原創IP製作方後備受注目，其經歷也被視為中國獨立遊戲產業轉型的象徵。

總的來說，《明末：渊虛之羽》是充滿潛力與野心的黑暗奇幻動作遊戲。其融合民族文化與魂系玩法，帶來耳目一新的體驗，在重視氛圍與細節的敘事中，描繪出一幅動盪與詭譎交織的明末畫卷。究竟這對羽化之翼能否在陰霾中高飛？7月24日的發售將揭曉其命運，也或許能為大陸國產類魂遊戲寫下新的里程碑。

“The Last of Ming dynasty: The Feather of the Yuanxu” – A Dark Fantasy Soulslike RPG Rooted in Chinese Folklore

The Last of Ming dynasty: The Feather of the Yuanxu is a dark fantasy action RPG developed by Chinese studio Lingze Technology and published by 505 Games. Set in the Sichuan region during the chaotic final years of the Ming Dynasty, the game blends Soulslike combat mechanics, Chinese folk horror, and the ominous spread of a mysterious plague. Following the release of its latest trailer during the 2025 Summer Game Fest, the game has garnered widespread attention. It is officially slated for release on July 24, arriving on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, and will be available on Xbox Game Pass at launch.

The story unfolds in 1647, after the fall of the Ming Dynasty and the brutal massacres committed by warlord Zhang Xianzhong in Sichuan. A mysterious affliction known as the “Feathering Plague” spreads across the region, causing the infected to gradually grow feathers and eventually transform into monstrous creatures. The protagonist, “Wuchang,” is a memoryless swordswoman who is also infected but gains the ability to manipulate “Xuyu”—a spectral energy that enhances her combat abilities and allows her to fight against increasingly powerful foes. The narrative is told in a fragmented, Soulslike fashion, requiring players to piece together the world’s lore and Wuchang’s personal history through exploration, NPC interactions, and environmental storytelling.

The game features a core progression system called the “Cinnabar” mechanic, which functions similarly to the Soul system from Dark Souls and is used to upgrade character abilities. A psychological horror element is introduced through the “Inner Demon” mechanic—frequent deaths or excessive killing of human enemies raise the character’s madness level, increasing difficulty and potentially spawning hallucinated phantom foes that actively hunt the player. The game also heavily incorporates Sichuanese folklore into its level and character design, featuring ancient temples, stone grottoes, Sichuan dialect voiceovers, and creative reinterpretations of historical events like Zhang Xianzhong’s massacres.

Combat-wise, Feather of Abyss innovates on the traditional Soulslike formula with the “Xuyu System.” By performing perfect dodges, parries, or combo attacks, players build up Xuyu layers, which can then be consumed to empower special attacks or activate unique abilities. Each weapon type offers different Xuyu effects—for example, axes reduce charge time, while one-handed swords can regenerate Xuyu over time. The game offers five main weapon classes, each with its own skill tree, encouraging players to tailor their combat style—ranging from heavy, stagger-focused axe builds to fast and agile dual-blade setups or stance-switching long blades. Combat design supports multiple playstyles, from dodging and maneuvering to parry-based counterattacks.

Boss encounters are another highlight, showcasing both creative design and gameplay depth. Pre-release previews have featured memorable bosses such as “Soul-Binding Tree,” which requires fire-based tactics to defeat, and the tragic-horror themed “Perfect Bride.” The world map adopts a non-linear, interconnected structure typical of Soulslikes, filled with hidden shortcuts, traps, and secret destructible walls. Narrow mountain paths, ambushes, and dense atmospheric design contribute to the game’s distinctive “Soulsborne” flavor.

From a market perspective, the game has drawn significant attention since its announcement. Reactions from players and media, however, have been divided. On the positive side, the combat is widely praised for its weighty feel and polished execution, boss design is considered top-tier, and the world invites meaningful exploration. Its cultural integration—merging Sichuan folklore with dark fantasy—is seen by many as more authentic than Black Myth: Wukong. On a technical level, the game’s lighting, detailed modeling, and fluid action built in Unreal Engine 5 have also received strong praise.

However, some early criticisms claimed the game bore too strong a resemblance to Bloodborne, sparking accusations of being a mere “reskin.” These concerns have eased somewhat with the unveiling of the innovative Xuyu System and other unique mechanics. Still, others note the variable boss difficulty and the punishing pressure of the “Inner Demon” system may alienate new players. Comparisons with Black Myth remain a focal point, with director Xia Siyuan candidly stating that while Feather of Abyss “doesn’t surpass Black Myth, the gap isn’t far.” Heated community debates continue around the differences in narrative structure and combat design between the two titles.

As one of the most ambitious Chinese-developed Soulslike RPGs since Black Myth: Wukong, the success or failure of Feather of Abyss will be a litmus test for the market’s confidence in Chinese original hardcore games. Priced at 248 RMB for the standard edition on Steam China, pre-orders have been strong, especially among fans of high-difficulty gameplay and traditional Chinese aesthetics. With 505 Games backing global distribution, the game has a clear path to international markets, though whether it can achieve Black Myth-level global hype remains to be seen. Lingze Technology, originally a small outsourcing studio, has drawn attention for its transformation into a creator of original IP—making the studio itself a symbol of China’s evolving indie game industry.

In summary, The Last of Ming dynasty: The Feather of the Yuanxu is a dark fantasy action RPG brimming with ambition and potential. Its fusion of ethnic culture and Soulslike gameplay offers a fresh and deeply atmospheric experience, painting a hauntingly surreal portrait of a collapsing dynasty. Whether these feathered wings can truly soar through the darkness will be revealed on July 24—and perhaps mark a new milestone in the rise of Chinese-developed Soulslike games.