Due to the country’sharsh censorship rules, there’s a surprisingly small number of video games that are set in China, and fewer still that seek to provide a modern-day take on the country. However, that’s not to say that there aren’t still some great options out there for those interested in Chinese history and culture.
The best video games set in China provide an interesting glimpse into what life in this historical hotspot might have been like, while also showcasing some of the country’s stunning art styles and architecture. The majority revolve around combat and fighting, although there are still plenty ofgreat options for those who love a good story.
Wo Long: Fallen Dynastyis an action RPG that wasdeveloped by Team Ninjaand released in early 2023. The game takes place in China around the time of the Yellow Turban Rebellion and loosely follows the story ofRomance of the Three Kingdoms: the well-known historical novel that served as the inspiration forDynasty Warriorsand many other video game series.
Despite featuring supernatural elements taken fromChinese mythology and folklore, many of the events explored throughoutWo Long: Fallen Dynasty’s story are rooted in reality, as too are the locations in which they happen to take place. Those who enjoyed Team Ninja’sNiohgames should take a lot of enjoyment fromWo Long, as too should anybody looking for a great game set in China.
Developed and published by Shanghai-based NEXT Studios,Bladed Furyis a 2D action game set in ancient China. It’s fairly short and at times can be incredibly challenging, but thehack-and-slash combatthat it offers is a lot of fun and the story remains engaging from start to finish.
However, the game’s biggest selling point is undoubtedly its incredible visuals, which incorporate elements from traditional Chinese art styles. The backgrounds and character designs are simply stunning and help to set the game apart fromother 2D action games likeKatana ZeroandDead Cells.
Althoughsome Western outlets accusedSIFUof being a soulless caricature, the game proved to be immensely popular in China, with many praising the accuracy of both its combat and its setting. To ensure the former, developer Sloclap hired Benjamin Colussi: a kung fu master who spent many years honing his skills in Foshan, China.
To further ensure authenticity,the developers ofSIFUsought feedback from Chinese character artistsand worked with Beijing-based composer Howie Lee to produce the game’s epic score. This all combines for a minimalistic masterpiece that does a wonderful job of capturing both the kung fu and locations that southern China has to offer.
These days,BioWare is best known forMass EffectandDragon Age, but the iconic Canadian studio had a much broader repertoire around the turn of the century. In addition to its work on theStar WarsandBaldur’s Gatefranchises, the developer worked on several standout standalone titles, one of which was a much-loved action role-playing game calledJade Empire.
Jade Empirecontains elements from numerous eras of China’s history, including the Tang, Song, and Han dynasties. The game’s combat system also places a heavy emphasis onreal-world fighting styles, with the game’s lead animator taking inspiration from kung fu movies starring Jet Li and other iconic martial artists.
Although the first two-thirds ofShenmue 2take place in Hong Kong, players do eventually find themselves crossing over into mainland China. Upon their arrival, they’ll find that Guilin couldn’t be more different thanthe hustle and bustle of Kowloon walled city, with the path to Bailu Village setting a very different tone for what’s left of the game.
Those looking for a game set entirely in China might findShenmue 3to be a much better fit, as Bailu and Niaowu givea much better idea of what life may have been like in rural China back in the late nineteen-eighties thanks toYu Suzuki’s meticulous attention to detail. Its predecessor is a much better game though, and can be picked up for peanuts these days together with the series' first installment.
Whether or notBlack Myth: Wukongis a Soulslikeis somewhat irrelevant, as either way, it will almost certainly appeal to fans of the genre. It’s also a great game for those who struggle to overcome the high difficulty threshold typically posed by Soulslike titles, although despite this increased accessibility, the game is far from easy.
Black Myth: Wukongdraws much of its inspiration fromJourney to the Westand is set in a fictionalized version of ancient China. However, many of the locations that players visit are based on real-world locations found throughout the Shanxi province, which led to a huge increase in tourism following the game’s hugely successful release.
When it comes to the best video games set in China, they don’t come much bigger thanKoei Tecmo’sDynasty Warriorsfranchise. Like so many others, the series follows the events of Luo Guanzhong’s historical novelRomance of The Three Kingdomsand sees players reenacting large-scale historical battles in key locations right throughout China.
Since its 1997 debut, no musou hack-and-slash series has come close to matching the impact thatDynasty Warriorshas had on either the genre or the industry itself. For those looking to experience and understand an important part of Chinese history or anyone who just wantsa game that makes them feel like an unstoppable warrior,Dynasty Warriorsis well worth a look.
