With a new sun burning over Lahai-Roi, things are looking up. But when Rover (Jane Jackson, Arknights Endfield) encounters a mysterious student only they can see, her world will be changed forever. Things will be learned, battles won, and some lost, as Kuro Games crafts its best story yet, in Wuthering Waves 3.1.
When Wuthering Waves first dropped, one of the big complaints was its world-building. Info dumps of techno-jargon and magical concepts are piled high before players, sometimes proving the greatest hurdle to overcome during the early hours of the experience. Looking back at it now, it’s incredible to see how much more refined and skillful the writers have become at implementing this critical element of the narrative.
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Huge revelations concerning Rover, their mission, and the world of Solaris 3 are brought to light here in the smoothest way possible. Threaded through intriguing exploration, exciting sequences, and deep, meaningful character choices, Wuthering Waves 3.1 is a veritable highlight reel of how far the game has come with how it treats world-building. And that is far from its only impressive achievement.
Wuthering Waves 3.1 dips into the game’s whole history.
The narrative liberally dips into the game’s year-and-a-half history, using all that has come before in meaningful ways. The biggest centers on a musical performance that harkens back to a tragic moment in Rover’s past. The contrast between what happens here and what happened prior starkly highlights how perspective and outlook can color the meaning of an event.
So many of the biggest complaints about the open-world gatcha scene are addressed in this update. Key roles are played by engaging NPCs, allowing one almost as much time as the core cast. An event that is nearly unheard of in the genre, bit goes a long way to making the world feel fleshed out and alive.
But even bigger than that is the weight of the choices that are made here. All too often, every update inevitably ends with everything tying up in a pretty bow. The villains are bested, the heroes succeed, and everybody goes home happy. Not this time. Despite Rover being frequently presented as the hero who cannot fail, this time, they are allowed to fall short of their desired outcome and are made all the better for it.
Wuthering Waves 3.1 showcases Rover’s weakness for a nice change of pace.
Through the hardships and tribulations that Rover is forced to endure rather than overcome, Kuro Games has breathed more life into its star in this patch than in anything that has come before. Through the events of the present and the first concrete looks we get at the hero’s pre-amnesia past, we see Rover’s proverbial feet of clay.
But like all great heroes, Wuthering Waves 3.1’s showcasing of Rover’s weakness doesn’t diminish the character, but rather strengthens it. By showing the pain and loss they shouldered, they become all the stronger. Anyone can fight on when they always win. It takes a true hero to get up after a knockout punch.
Taking an equal share of the spotlight alongside the game’s enduring hero is the newest addition to the roster, Aemeath (Cara Theobold, Elden Ring). This unseen student brings a ton of energy and fun in the early moments of the narrative. Her excitement and pep are infectious, and a major reason that the entry doesn’t feel weighted down by its world-building.
Aemeath’s cheery dispoition come to mean much more as the Wuthering Waves 3.1 story unfolds.
But as the story unfolds, Aemeath’s cheery dispoition come to mean much more as the hidden history of the character is laid bare. Her persistent joy is shown to be what it truly is, adding an extra layer of sadness to the narrative. But just like the lead, her struggles ultimately make her stronger, showcasing both her determination and her humanity.
What she comes to mean to Rover and her place in the protagonist’s world further help her stand out among an already huge cast of memorable characters. The way the story peels back the layers of the character is so deftly done that many scenes take on entirely new meaning once the final revelations have played out.
Along with being a tremendous character to learn about, Aemeath is also a blast to play. Her ability to swap betweeen being a magical girl and a mecha with the push of a button makes her gameplay pop with excellent transitional visuals and loads of special effects. Combining all this with the songstress aspects of her character and the kit she wields is as eye-catching as it is fun.
Wuthering Waves 3.1 also gives players a sneak peak playing as Luuk.
But while we knew Wuthering Waves 3.1 would bring exciting gameplay with Aemeath, it doubles down on the stylish gameplay too, by letting players try out the next character coming to the game as well. For a single boss fight, Luuk steps up to aid Rover, showcasing what feels like an intricate but high-energy move set. Startorch Academy’s resident doctor even manages to take a scalpel to reality itself, as his ultimate sees him tear a Tacet Mark-style rip in the battlefield.
Just as engaging as the slick action in this update are the fantastic exploration elements sprinkled throughout the experience. Platforming sequences that pop with color and personality rotate in between combat and dialogue, keeping the flow of the game fresh. Kuro Games continues to iterate on its driving sequences, bringing more tricks to the game’s motorbike, resulting in some fantastic chase scenes as well.
Enabling all of the above elements is another finely crafted area of the world. The Roya Frostlands end up delivering far more than just snowy wastes. Gorgeously implemented sci-fi elements turn a couple of interior areas into true marvels. And even when the world is blanketed by snow, expert world sculpting and beautiful crystal outcroppings make these areas breathtaking and fun to explore. The harsh terrain in general is also utilized to make a couple of areas pop out with gorgeous colors, becoming beautiful oases within the tundra.
Wuthering Waves 3.1 delivers a perfect narrative and gameplay experience.
The game also flexes its visual muscles through the varied art styles it uses to give the story visual flair. 2D animation, still frames, pixel art moments, and its trademark gorgeous 3D visuals come together to deliver a graphical feast that is as varied as it is satisfying.
With a story that manages to balance pacing with callbacks to what has come before, revelations, and emotional consequences, exciting boss battles, and exploration that is chock-full of personality and fun, Wuthering Waves 3.1 delivers a perfect narrative and gameplay experience. One that will be living on in fans’ hearts long after future updates come out.
Wuthering Waves is available on PC, PlayStation, and mobile devices.
