Lords of the Fallen: Is the Update a Second Chance Worth Taking?

Beyond “Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty”: Why “lords of the Fallen” is your Next Must-Play on xbox Game Pass

While “Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty” has taken the gaming world by storm, captivating over 130,000 concurrent players on Steam within its first month and garnering widespread acclaim, some players might already be seeking their next epic adventure. If you’ve conquered the lands of Shu and are ready for a new challenge, Xbox Game Pass offers a compelling alternative in the form of “Lords of the fallen.”

A Worthy Successor with a Dark Twist

Though “Lords of the Fallen” diverges from the Wuxia epic style of “Wo Long,” it presents intriguing parallels, particularly for those who appreciate a demanding combat system and a rich, albeit darker, atmosphere. This title, a significant reboot of the 2014 game, also faced its share of early hurdles. However, a substantial update in April 2025, dubbed “Version 2,” has comprehensively addressed many of these initial performance issues, transforming the player experience.

The improvements to the online co-op mode are particularly noteworthy. Now, players can seamlessly team up with a friend, progressing through the game together while retaining all their hard-earned loot. Adding to the collaborative appeal, a free “friend Pass” allows your buddy to join your adventures without needing to own the base game, and crucially, they can maintain their own progress.

Shared DNA: challenging Combat and Grotesque Worlds

What truly connects “Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty” and “Lords of the Fallen,” despite their distinct settings, is their shared commitment to intense, skill-testing combat. Both games deliver a punishing yet rewarding gameplay experience that will resonate deeply with fans of action RPGs. While “Wo Long” transports players to the late Ming Dynasty, “Lords of the Fallen” plunges them into a haunting medieval landscape.

Visually, the two titles present different aesthetics, but both excel in crafting evocative, somber environments populated by vast, grotesque monsters that are as fascinating as they are terrifying. While they aren’t carbon copies, there’s a palpable similarity in the immersive, challenging atmosphere they cultivate.

A Second Chance for a Resurrected Gem

If you dabbled with “Lords of the Fallen” upon its initial release in 2023,the “Version 2” update presents an ideal opportunity to revisit the game. The extensive quality-of-life enhancements and gameplay refinements make it feel almost like a new experience. The revamped co-op functionality further encourages players to dive in with friends.

The accessibility of “Lords of the fallen” is a significant draw for Xbox Game Pass subscribers,as it’s available to download at no additional cost. While “Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty” is accessible on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, its inclusion in the Game Pass is not currently confirmed, leaving its future availability uncertain.

Have you already mastered “Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty” and are on the hunt for your next challenging endeavor? Or perhaps “Lords of the Fallen” has piqued your interest? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below!

Does the 1.10 update fully resolve the initial performance concerns that led to negative reviews at launch?

Addressing the Launch Issues: A Rocky Start

Lords of the Fallen (2023), the soulslike action RPG developed by Hexworks, had a notoriously difficult launch. Plagued by performance issues, bugs, and frustrating gameplay imbalances, it received largely negative reviews.Common complaints centered around severe frame rate drops, particularly on PC, frequent crashes, and a perceived lack of polish. Many players felt the game failed to live up to the potential showcased in pre-release trailers and demos.Keywords like “Lords of the Fallen performance issues“, “Lords of the Fallen bugs“, and “Lords of the Fallen PC problems” dominated online forums and social media.

The 1.10 Update: What’s Changed?

The recently released 1.10 update represents a notable attempt by Hexworks to address these criticisms. This isn’t a minor patch; it’s a substantial overhaul targeting core areas of concern. Here’s a breakdown of the key improvements:

Performance Optimization: The most significant focus has been on improving performance across all platforms. Developers have implemented optimizations to reduce frame rate drops and improve stability, especially in demanding areas like the city of Cistern.

Bug Fixes: A massive wave of bug fixes addresses crashes, glitches, and issues with quest progression. Many reported exploits and frustrating inconsistencies have been resolved.

Gameplay Rebalancing: Several adjustments have been made to enemy AI, weapon scaling, and character progression. This aims to create a more balanced and fair challenge. Specifically, the update tackles issues with Umbral Lamp usage and enemy aggression.

Multiplayer Improvements: Fixes to multiplayer connectivity and stability have been implemented, addressing issues players experienced with co-op and invasions.

Quality of life Changes: Numerous smaller changes, such as improved UI elements and more informative tooltips, contribute to a smoother overall experience.

Performance Analysis Post-update: Is it Noticeable?

Early reports suggest the 1.10 update has made a substantial difference. While Lords of the Fallen isn’t suddenly a flawlessly optimized game, the improvements are widely acknowledged.

PC Performance: Players are reporting significantly more stable frame rates, even on mid-range hardware. The stuttering issues that plagued the launch have been reduced, though some optimization may still be needed for high-end configurations.

Console Performance: Console players have also seen improvements,with fewer frame rate dips and crashes. The game is now more consistently hitting it’s target frame rate on PlayStation 5 and xbox Series X.

Digital Foundry’s Analysis: Digital Foundry’s recent technical analysis confirms the improvements, highlighting substantial gains in frame pacing and stability. (Link to Digital Foundry analysis if available).

Gameplay Improvements: A More Refined Soulslike Experience?

Beyond performance, the gameplay changes are also making a positive impact. the rebalancing of enemy AI makes encounters feel less frustrating and more strategic. Weapon scaling feels more consistent, and character builds are now more viable.

Umbral Lamp Adjustments: Changes to the Umbral Lamp, a core mechanic of the game, make it less punishing to use and encourage exploration of the Umbral realm.

Enemy Aggression: reduced enemy aggression in certain areas prevents overwhelming ganks, allowing players to focus on learning enemy attack patterns.

Build Diversity: The update encourages experimentation with different builds, as previously underpowered weapons and skills have been buffed.

Is it Worth Re-Visiting (or Finally Trying) Lords of the Fallen?

For those who abandoned the game at launch, the 1.10 update offers a compelling reason to revisit. The performance improvements alone make the experience significantly more enjoyable. The gameplay rebalancing and bug fixes address many of the core criticisms leveled against the game.

For Abandoned Players: If you were frustrated by the launch issues, now