Games based on ancient China/Chinese mythology

[curds]

For some reason over the last few days I've had the urge to play a game set in ancient China, or based on Chinese folklore. Not sure why. I thought why not create a list of (good) games that use this setting. Preferably of the strategy/simulation/turn-based RPG type (am aware of Jade Empire and it doesn't really appeal to me).

Emperor: Rise of the Middle Kingdom

This is, AFAIR, the only China-themed game I've played. It also happens to be possibly my favourite game of all time. Certainly my favourite game of its genre. It's the last in the Impressions City Builder series. I also played Caesar 3 and Pharaoh from the same series, and in my opinion they couldn't hold a candle to this one. Very aesthetically pleasing game.

Romance of the Three Kingdoms series

Don't know too much about these games, I assume from screenshots that they are Total War-esque turn-based grand strategy with RT battles. Correct me if I'm wrong. Is the series any good and if so, which is the best entry?

Sango series

Seems quite similar to the series listed above, including being set during the same era. Anybody played these ones?

Tale of Wuxia

Probably the one I'm most interested in. Most likely gonna pick it up in the next few days. From what I can gather it seems like traditional TB-RPG with life sim elements (?). Heard it's quite good.

Amazing Cultivation Simulator

Bizarre but fascinating looking game, not sure what it's all about but I'm very curious about this one. I gather it is similar to Rimworld, which I haven't played yet, either.


The Tangut Prophecy deserves a mention, despite being vapourware. Fallout Online engine TC based on ancient China. Looks amazing but the author disappeared, as I'm sure many here already know.

Another game I am aware of is Prince of Qin, but that doesn't appeal to me all that much. I understand it's a Diablo-clone.

What can you guys add to the list?

 

[kreight]

Total War Three kingdoms, Age of Wushu, Xuan Yuan sword 6

 

[kirin]

this is a real ad

 

[kreight]

There used to be a pretty good Tiger Knight game. It had a number of issues though. I dont know if the servers are still on.

 

[kreight]

Smite has several chinese gods including Chan'ge, the goddess of the moon.

 

[curds]

Smite has several chinese gods including Chan'ge, the goddess of the moon.

Can't say I can ever see myself playing a MOBA. Also what I'm really after is the whole ancient China aesthetic. A few references or characters from folklore doesn't cut it for me, personally. Xuan-Yuan Sword seems the most interesting of what you mentioned.

 

[kreight]

Theres Sands of Salzaar. Its not really a chinese history game rather a chinese fantasy game. I gear its pretty good.

Check this curator on steam youll find more

https://store.steampowered.com/curator/32768202-Games-from-China-and-Taiwan

 

[Kalin]

https://www.myabandonware.com/game/bandit-kings-of-ancient-china-lk

 

[laclongquan]

Prince of Qin, think of Diablo but heavier RPG elements set in Ancient China (earlier than three kingdoms). A most complex item crafting system I think of. 7 endings.

Jade Empire

Romance of Three Kingdom 10. Much heavier RPG elements than 11 or later.

 

[curds]

Kalin, that game looks promising. Have you played it? How is it?

 

[curds]

Prince of Qin, think of Diablo but heavier RPG elements set in Ancient China (earlier than three kingdoms)

Jade Empire

Romance of Three Kingdom 10. Much heavier RPG elements than 11 or later.

Thanks but all three of those are mentioned in the OP.

 

[laclongquan]

IN which case it's slow going. English-dev but China-setting, it's a bit of a niche. Add in strategy subgenre and you are going to find like zero.

Chinese-devs there should be more but I dont speak Chinese so eh~

 

[Hag]

The OP screenshot for Tale of Wuxia is actually from Tale of Wuxia : the Pre-Sequel, which I heard is a whole different game.

I tried Tale of Wuxia for a few hours, and while it is certainly a very unique and interesting game, I simply couldn't get into it. Chibi art is a huge turnoff for me.
Still, a curiosity with original mechanics and a nice atmosphere, very much worthy of a try for any enthusiast about either hidden (rough) gems or wuxia.

 

[GrainWetski]

Theres Sands of Salzaar. Its not really a chinese history game rather a chinese fantasy game. I gear its pretty good.

It's kind of an isometric Mount & Blade with more standard ARPG combat.

 

[kreight]

Theres Sands of Salzaar. Its not really a chinese history game rather a chinese fantasy game. I gear its pretty good.

It's kind of an isometric Mount & Blade with more standard ARPG combat.

yeah with dragons and magic

 

[samuraigaiden]

Jade Empire is a realistic depiction of 1950s China.

 

[Morpheus Kitami]

Sango Fighter was a pretty sweet DOS fighter, but I couldn't tell you how it stacks up against the more popular ones.

 

[udm]

I used to play these games:
Fengyun Tianxia
Warriors of Fate
Feng Yun: Xiong Ba Tian Xia

Spoiler

Also, just know that up until recently, Chinese women never removed their armpit hair. Also, hygiene in some places was (and still is) non-existent. Don't let them cute Chinese waifu portraits fool you.

 

[luj1]

Jade Empire, Prince of Qin, Battle Realms

 

[laclongquan]

Battle Realms yeah. I nearly forgot it. It's more like, a Chinese feel. Chinese atmostphere as Westerners think of it.

 

[Siveon]

Dynasty Warriors, I suppose. In that vein Nobunaga's Ambition.

 

[Gonchi]

Seal of Evil by the same devs that did Prince of Qin.

 

[deama]

Three Kingdoms: Fate of the Dragon

 

[laclongquan]

game set in ancient China, or based on Chinese folklore. Preferably of the strategy/simulation/turn-based

Suddenly remember. Dynasty Warrior Empire series. It's using DW assets of each DW tittle and make an Empire game, RT or TB action strategy depending on specific tittle

Should fit OP's requirement to a t.

 

[MadMaxHellfire]

Nobunaga's Ambition

nobunaga is japanese.