Since its release earlier this year, Black Myth: Wukong has dazzled audiences with its stunning visuals and rich storytelling based on the Chinese classic Journey To The West. But the frenzy doesn’t and shouldn’t stop there! In fact, the Chinese gaming landscape is still bursting with a slate of equally thrilling upcoming titles.
According to Reuters, there were around 700 million Chinese gamers in 2023 — nearly half of the nation’s population. When it comes to gaming, China is a cultural powerhouse where games are more than simply entertainment; they’re a way of life. From bustling internet cafés to vibrant e-sports communities, the gaming culture is dynamic and ever-evolving. In terms of gaming revenue, mobile games continue to dominate, with 75% of the market share in 2023. That being said, games in the computer and console sectors are also thriving with innovation.
Here at RADII, we chose 10 upcoming Chinese video games that showcase the creativity and excitement found in the industry, each offering unique experiences that will captivate new and seasoned gamers alike.
Delta Force: Hawk Ops
Platforms: PS4, PS5, Xbox, and PC
Developed by TiMi Studio Group — a Tencent subsidiary known for its work on the Call of Duty franchise — Delta Force: Hawk Ops marks the return of the iconic Delta Force franchise after over a decade. This first-person shooter features intense tactical gameplay in both single-player and multiplayer modes.
Set in the year 2035, players take on elite soldier roles in high-stakes missions, including a campaign inspired by the war film, Black Hawk Down. With strategic combat and diverse classes, the game aims to revitalize the series for modern audiences. Currently only available in the Chinese mainland, this game is set for international release in December 2024.
Honor of Kings: World
Platforms: Phone (Android and iOS)
The Honor of Kings franchise is the most popular title amongst Chinese gamers. In the third quarter of 2024 alone, it garnered an average of around 133 million monthly active users (MAUs) in China alone. This multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) game features a rich selection of heroes inspired by Chinese mythology and history such as Monkey King’s rival Nezha (哪吒) and historical general Zhang Fei (張飛).
Players can engage in intense 5v5 battles, strategizing with their teammates to vanquish opponents. With its vibrant graphics and engaging gameplay, Honor of Kings: World offers a thrilling experience that keeps players coming back for more.
This game is expected to be released in 2025.
Project: The Perceiver
Platforms: PS4, PS5, and PC
Developed by Chinese developer 17ZHE Studio, this open world action game is set during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 CE) and offers a philosophical journey through a visually stunning, post-apocalyptic world. Players, as the Master of Varietas, navigate a chaotic environment where reality and illusion blur, using unique abilities to uncover hidden truths.
The game challenges players with thought-provoking themes and innovative mechanics, allowing them to consolidate diverse beliefs into masks for fierce battles. With its emotional and intellectual depth, Project: The Perceiver promises to be a must-play for those seeking a profound gaming experience.
Although an exact date is unconfirmed, this game is expected to be released in 2025.
Where Winds Meet
Platforms: PC and PS5
An action-adventure game set in ancient China, Where Winds Meet allows players to take on the role of a mysterious sword master. Explore a stunning open world filled with diverse foes and points of interest while engaging in deep RPG mechanics using a unique Eastern combat system inspired by wuxia (武俠) — Chinese tales of martial arts and chivalry.
Gamers can customize their characters with various weapons and skills, and enjoy a rich narrative-driven experience solo or with friends. Promising over 100 hours of gameplay, Where Winds Meet is set to release at an undetermined date in 2025 and will support online play for up to 10 players.
Assassin’s Creed Jade
Platforms: Phone (Android and iOS)
Remember Ezio di Auditore from the very first game in the Assassin’s Creed franchise back in 2007? Yes, now there’s a Chinese-themed version on the horizon. Assassin’s Creed Jade takes players on an epic journey set in ancient China, where they will explore a vast open world, engage in thrilling combat, and uncover the mysteries surrounding their character’s identity.
Developed by Chinese developer Tencent’s Level Infinite in partnership with its French counterpart at Ubisoft, the game has been delayed to 2025 due to a strategic pivot at Tencent, which is reallocating “hundreds of people” to focus on another game, DreamStar. This delay reflects Tencent’s commitment to optimizing development efforts and ensuring a polished experience for players.
Wuchang: Fallen Feathers
Platforms: PS5, Xbox, and PC
Wuchang: Fallen Feathers is a dark and fantastical Soulslike action RPG set in the chaotic final years of China’s Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 CE). Players step into the shoes of Wuchang, a female pirate suffering from amnesia in a land plagued by monstrous mutations and an epidemic known as Feathering. As she battles twisted enemies using a mix of combat styles and ancient weaponry, the protagonist seeks to uncover the truth hidden beneath the chaos.
The game is set to release in 2025, promising an immersive experience filled with intricate combat and breathtaking environments.
Lost Soul Aside
Platforms: PS4, PS5, and PC
Inspired by award-winning video game franchise Final Fantasy, Lost Soul Aside is an action RPG that features fast-paced combat reminiscent of the similar series Devil May Cry. Developed by solo creator Bing Yang of Chinese game development studio UltiZero Games, this visually stunning game combines epic storytelling with dynamic gameplay. Players will embark on a thrilling journey through a beautifully crafted world filled with intense battles and rich lore.
Expected to be released sometime in 2025, Lost Soul Aside promises to deliver an unforgettable gaming experience.
FragPunk
Platforms: Xbox and PC
FragPunk is a 5v5 hero shooter game that features dynamic gameplay with rule-changing cards, immersing players in intense matches where strategy and teamwork are crucial. Players can choose from a diverse roster of heroes, each with unique abilities that can dramatically alter the course of a battle. The game encourages tactical play, allowing players to customize their strategies through various card combinations, creating a unique experience in every match.
Following the first Closed Alpha Test release earlier this summer, a second Closed Beta Test later took place in October. Players who tested out the game were required to pre-register via Steam or the Xbox Insider Program. A concrete release date is yet to be announced.
Arknights: Endfield
Platforms: PS5, PC, and Phone (Android & iOS)
Dive into the captivating world of Arknights: Endfield, a real-time 3D RPG game that combines strategic gameplay with an intriguing storyline. On a mysterious world called Talos-II, players assume the role of an enigmatic character named The Endministrator, who navigates a landscape filled with legends and crises. As gamers uncover the secrets of the Endfield Industries team, they will encounter unique operators and face thrilling challenges that put their tactical skills to the test.
Although unconfirmed, this game will likely be released mid-2025.
Phantom Blade Zero
Platforms: PC and PS5
Inspired by traditional Chinese culture and mythology, this AAA game combines fast-paced combat with beautifully-crafted environments. Players take on the role of Soul, an elite assassin framed for the murder of his organization’s patriarch. After being gravely injured, he is saved by a mystic healer, but the cure he receives will only last for 66 days. With time running out, Soul must battle powerful foes and uncover the mastermind behind his betrayal, all while navigating a dark and fantastical realm filled with intrigue.
While there is no confirmed date yet, it’s thought that Phantom Blade Zero will eventually be released in 2026.
As the gaming industry evolves, Chinese developers continue to set new standards. While games like Black Myth: Wukong and Genshin Impact have already captured global attention, the rich tapestry of upcoming titles showcases the depth and creativity coming from China’s video game and mobile game scenes. China’s long-term impact on the industry promises to not only be visually astounding and fun, but here to stay.
Banner image by Haedi Yue.
