10 Epic Moments in Wuthering Waves
Meeting Zani
For those of you wondering how this could possibly count as epic – then you don’t deserve Zani. Everything about this over-worked bank employee of the Montelli family practically broke the internet upon her reveal, which was only double-downed on during her introductory cutscene. Epic design, epic accent, epic proportions, epic companion – Zani wasn’t only the perfect tour guide but the perfect foil as we dove deeper into the Order’s corruption. Her banner cannot get here soon enough.
Camellya Confronts Herself
The companion questlines across the board all have riveting scenes to their names, though having to meander through the mind of a certain murderous flower girl took the cake. Suffering under the weight of amnesia, overclocking and her own particular brand of bloodlust, witnessing Camellya confront her sadistic alter ego made for quite the mind-trip. Beautifully balanced by her realisation that no matter the reality, she would always find herself pinning after her precious Rover.
Dreamless
For as many issues as the base game had in terms of pace and storytelling, it ended its first arc with one hell of a bang. Alongside Jiyun, Rover takes on the might of the Dreamless – a Tacet Discord with strength to spare, ready to usher in a fresh Lament unless it’s stopped in its tracks. The battle itself is frantic, with the highlights easily being when Rover goes full One Winged Angel and awakens their Havoc form. Oh, and the introduction of everyone’s favourite Echo, of course
Jinhsi Ascends
Climbing Mount Firmament proved to be quite a challenge for Rover and company, namely because of the colossal dragon waiting at the peak. The prophesied battle between the Sentinel Jue and Jinhsi was a long-time coming, the latter having to prove her worth in order to one day serve as its replacement. This all leads to a staggeringly beautiful showdown, in which we get to play as Jinhsi herself, doing her darndest to take on Jue’s time-warping might by her lonesome. And while she’s unable to bring down her scaly parental figure, she does indeed prove herself worthy of taking its place.
The Confession
Following a link to their unknown past, Rover is brought to the headquarters of the Black Shores, as well as their ephemeral leader known as the Shorekeeper. Alas, there’s no time to talk about the good ol’ days on account of the Tethys System – the supercomputer that helps the Blask Shores fight the Lament – going haywire. In order to ensure the system’s survival, the Shorekeeper willingly allows themselves to become its new core – dooming her to pseudo-death. Though not before she confesses how she had learned to love Rover in the distant past, and still does to this day. And just like that, everyone was willing to go nuclear to save her.
The Dragon of Dirge
Jue isn’t the only dragon roaming the world, and while it may be smaller in scale, the Dragon of Dirge makes up for it by upping the intimidation factor tenfold…as well as having a soundtrack to its name that would make Elden Ring blush. Used by the Order of the Deep to kill off those they deem an enemy to their faith, battling the beast is no easy task. Summoning bone spikes and breathing golden flames, it all makes for a thrilling clash that once again proved why Rinascita’s arc truly is peak.
The Dance
While there is fierce competition among Wuwa’s towering cast of lethal ladies, Carlotta is something special. Not only for her character, gameplay, voice acting, and personal stakes in the story, but also her relationship with Rover. Something that was solidified during their dance scenes. While things could be construed as spicy during the rehearsal, both sparks and bullets flew as the partners in crime blasted their way through foes in perfect sync. There’s not even room for a shipping war by this point!
Lorelei
It truly is astounding how everything across this game was elevated with the introduction of Rinascita, especially in the case of both its bosses and music, which becomes blatantly evident with this spectacular boss fight. Corrupted by the Fracsidus to serve the Order’s interest, Lorelei is not only stunning in presentation, but her soundtrack is downright mesmerising. Taking inspiration and aspects from Mozart’s The Magic Flute, specifically the Queen of the Night aria – the music turns the entire ordeal into a spectacle that no player will be quick to forget.
Carlotta Pops Off
There can be no debating just how much of a standout character this executor of an heiress is. When she’s not playing her enemies for fools or making Rover fall for her, she’s busting out crystalline rifles and reigning hell down on any who cross her path. Like here, when the Order and their Echoes attack following the defeat of Lorelei. Demonstrating both her acrobatic and gunslinging skills, Carlotta doesn’t waste a breath wiping out them all by her lonesome, and it is amazing to watch unfold.
Saving the Shorekeeper
After such a heartfelt confession, there was no way we were about to let the Shorekeeper perish. Rover obviously felt the same way, taking on the Tethys System itself and overcoming gauntlets of enemies in succession. Even channeling their inner Uncharted at one point by wall-running and grappling through every virtual reality tossed their way. This all culminates in Rover battling against the clock to free the Shorekeeper from being assimilated, saving her at the last second before reaffirming how much her life is worth - with their final interaction being the tear-jerking cherry on top. What a way to end an arc.
