The best games set in China

about 1 month ago, by Enzo

Cradle of one of the world’s oldest civilizations, China has fascinated people for centuries with the richness of its history, myths, and landscapes. Naturally, video games have drawn on this abundant imagination. From battlefields to misty mountains inhabited by immortals, it becomes a playground that is both exotic and narratively powerful. Here is a selection of 10 video games set in China, or directly inspired by it, that deserve some attention.

Probably the most famous title in this selection, Black Myth: Wukong is an action game inspired by a classic novel. It features the legendary Monkey King of the same name in a mythological China populated by creatures and deities drawn from folklore. Its artistic direction and demanding gameplay make it a major title for discovering Chinese mythology in modern video games.

Dynasty Warriors: Origins is a new entry in the famous musou series that plunges players back into the Three Kingdoms period, one of the most famous eras in Chinese history. Staying true to the spirit of the franchise, it offers massive battles where a single hero faces hundreds of soldiers. The game is particularly interesting for its immersion in the historical and romanticized stories of ancient China, featuring iconic figures and famous locations.

To change the genre a bit, Total War: Three Kingdoms is a strategy game that offers empire management and tactical battles in 3rd-century China. It stands out for its rich depiction of the political and military rivalries of the Three Kingdoms era. Assassin’s Creed Chronicles: China, on the other hand, is a 2.5D entry in the franchise that takes place during the Ming dynasty in the 16th century. The player takes on the role of Shao Jun, an assassin seeking revenge against the Templars responsible for the fall of her brotherhood.

Among the lesser-known games, there is Sword and Fairy 7, which offers a world inspired by ancient China where humans, spirits, and immortals all coexist. The game stands out for the importance it gives to emotions, relationships between characters, and spiritual themes. Unlike the other games on the list, Chinese Parents takes place in contemporary China. It's a narrative and life-management game in which the player follows the growth of a Chinese child, from elementary school to adulthood. It provides an interesting look at modern Chinese society and at family and academic expectations.

Finally, for those who prefer online experiences, Naraka: Bladepoint is a multiplayer action game that adopts an original approach to the battle royale genre by emphasizing melee combat and martial arts. Its visual style and characters draw heavily from wuxia, a Chinese literary and movie genre centered on heroes who practice martial arts.

Be it from a historical, mythological, or contemporary point of view, China offers video games a field of expression of unexpected richness. Long confined to a local audience, many Chinese games or games inspired by Chinese cultureare now opening up to the world, bringing stories, mechanics, and sensibilities that differ from Western or Japanese standards. Exploring these games also means discovering another way of telling stories of heroism, often very different from the onees we are used to.