Before explaining why I recommend this game, I would like give a background of my appetite in video games. I am not trying to give an objective review on whether or not the game is good or bad, but rather why I like this game enough to spend time writing up a review to convince anyone who is akin to me, to give this game a chance.
Ever since 2021 after playing my first wave of wuxia games on steam (I believe it was Tales of Immortal, and also Cultivation Simulator), I have always been on the hunt for good wuxia games. Some of the games I liked over the years are Ho Tu Lo Shu: Book of Dragons, Wandering Sword, Tales of Immortal, Legend of Mortal, Hero's Adventure)
One of the reasons I like these games is the game's [b] presentation [/b] of the wuxia theme. So if the game has intriguing enough scenarios, unique enough manuals, convincing enough world setting, interesting enough characters, then - I will enjoy it enough to sink at least 30+ hours into the game.
Another reason is the [b] progression[/b]. I like spending time boosting my characters to get as strong as possible before the main quests - e.g. doing all the side quests, and getting all the manuals, finding the best party members - and once I am satisfied, easily clearing the stories with my one-hit moves. So the challenge for someone who plays like me, lies in optimizing my time in getting as strong as possible. Therefore if the game has enough of these activities for me to get stronger, and it is interesting enough for me to keep doing them, then it is fun for me to spend 100+ hours doing all of them.
Again, these are just my personal preference for enjoying these games.
So, what is this game? LongYinLiZhiZhuan is a sandbox experience. The world is fixed with it's sects, manuals, special characters. Exploration - there's a few ways to navigate but mostly, you navigate the world via an overworld - visit towns, clear scenarios, etc. Combat - Tactical turn base, similar to FFT or Fire Emblem. Aside, you get to build your characters by pumping it with manuals, befriend any characters and get them to join you as a party member, sect management, etc.
You get to choose how you want to start, either a play-whatever-you-want start, or play what the game recommends which is their storied start. My review is based on playing through 130+ hours of the storied start.
The [b] presentation [/b] of the theme in this game, is the main reason why I've decided to write this review. Specifically, the main and sub scenarios that builds up over 3 Acts, and how it pays off in the end. It has its twists and turns, so I will say that the story is intriguing, and engaging enough - which is precisely what I like about wuxia stories. I think it is one of the better wuxia stories I've played recently. So I would give it a 9 out of 10
If you'd like to know a bit more of what the story is about, here's a small description of each chapter, and what they focus on:
Prologue: [spoiler] Once again typical in wuxia fashion, the major sects of this world banded together to try to eliminate the strongest sect. This event sets the world you will be playing in, and it is the key plot point driving the main story, which is Act 2 onwards. [/spoiler]
Act 1. [spoiler] Your life begins in a lowly sects as an outer disciple. You grow and develop along with your sect and your martial brothers and sisters. [/spoiler]
Act 2. [spoiler] You help your sister sect defend against multiple attacks from an evil sect - but why are they attacking? [/spoiler]
Act 3. [spoiler] You uncover the truth of the prologue. [/spoiler]
The [b] progression [/b] has depth but not too deep. I won't go too much in detail of these gameplay elements, but I would say that are good enough to motivate me to grow my character for 100+ hours
Unfortunately, this game is currently only available in Chinese. I hope this game gets localized eventually, as I find it a waste that this game cannot be understood and appreciate fully for people who does not know the language. If you are one of the developer/publisher of the game, please consider localization support.
And to the readers who made it this far, thank you for taking the time to read my review. I hope it helps you make a decision.
