Open-world RPG Wuthering Waves first launched in May 2024, and it’s continuously evolved in the time since. It’s expanded its overworld map, introduced numerous optimizations, and refined its storytelling and gameplay. It’s in a very different state now than when it first came out.
If you haven’t experienced the game before, it’s a free-to-play action RPG from developer Kuro Games. It first released on Windows PC, Google Play PC, Epic Games Store, iOS, and Android before coming to Mac, Steam, and PS5 earlier this year with cross-progression across all platforms. And it’s been received well across those platforms. It has a “Very Positive” rating on Steam with more than 26,000 reviews, and has 4.3 stars on Google Play and 4.5 stars on the App Store, both with hundreds of thousands of reviews.
Considering the number of additions and optimizations that have been brought to the game in its 18 months of existence, we figured now is a good time to go over the areas that have seen the greatest improvement.
Story and Performance
At launch in 2024, Wuthering Waves' narrative, presentation, and voice acting were not its strongest points. But beginning with Version 2.0, which led players into the nation of Rinascita, the storytelling and cinematics underwent a notable transformation.
Family intrigue and faith conflicts in Ragunna. Gladiatorial struggles and encroaching Dark Tide in the Septimont. The ensemble showdown of the climactic story chapters. Each update has carried a clear theme and built on those before it, without introducing complicated new concepts or terminology.
On top of that, the improvement in performance has been clear. The game has largely moved away from static, stand-and-talk dialogues, and introduced more diverse gameplay segments and more complicated camera work and character motion. For instance, Carlotta’s storyline features stealth and surprise attacks with dynamic camera shifts and memory flashbacks, while Galbrena’s storyline introduces first-person perspectives and time-switching gameplay sequences.
In Version 2.2, the main narrative weaves together environmental storytelling, map exploration, puzzle-solving, and combat cinematics over the course of roughly two hours. That all builds to a final boss battle, set to the track “Wish to Wear Glory and Fall into the Abyss,” and an ending cinematic that you can watch below.
Voice acting has also undergone significant changes. In the initial release, most characters spoke with standard American accents. Now, there are several different European-inspired accents represented, making the cast more eclectic.
Gameplay Optimizations
Guided by player feedback, the development team has now implemented over 450 optimizations since launch. The most noticeable improvements are in graphics. On high-end devices, the game now runs at a stable 120 FPS, with richer lighting and more layered visuals. Some of the new areas demand more from the hardware, but that comes with an increased level of detail. DLSS optimization and ray tracing support on PC further enhance the realism of lighting and materials throughout the world.
Immersion has also been a major focus of this year’s updates, with the team aiming to make the game world feel more alive and responsive. Streets are now busier, NPCs more numerous, and the environment subtly reacts to the player’s presence. Leaves rustle as you run past, and water ripples when you soar above its surface.
In terms of gameplay, the Echo system has received several updates: the Nightmare Nest allows players to earn Echoes without consuming Waveplates, Fantasies of the Thousand Gateways offer customizable Echo rewards, and the new Data Modify function allows flexible stat adjustments.
Localization quality has advanced significantly, too. After a year of continuous refinement, multilingual text and voice work have reached a new level of polish, and there are plans to support even more languages in the future.
Open World Exploration
Throughout 2025, the open world and exploration systems have expanded significantly. The new Rinascita region includes 16 new areas, each with its own unique ecosystem. Septimont is infused with Ancient Roman elements, while Ragunna draws inspiration from Venetian architecture. Both cities showcase distinct cultural atmospheres through their landscapes and design.
At the same time, the game introduced new mechanics to diversify exploration. One of the most notable examples is the “Avinoleum Theological Seminary,” which features a unique gravity-reversal system, allowing players to explore the entire map upside down.
Additionally, the new flight system has been one of this year’s most notable updates. After completing certain story missions, you can unlock the ability to fly. All you have to do is jump in the air and activate your wings to soar (which you can see in the video above). There’s no need to find specific takeoff or landing points; you can take flight anywhere, at any time, and freely explore the open world that spans over 100 square kilometers.
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