{
  "id": 6382539,
  "title": "Hands on: Tianji: Shadow of the Ancients",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/09/hands-on-tianji-shadow-of-the-ancients",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-09-09T04:24:22.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "IGN",
    "slug": "ign",
    "url": "https://www.ign.com/articles/hands-on-tianji-shadow-of-the-ancients"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Square Enix's recent success suggests that HD-2D-style games have found an appreciative audience, bringing new life to this nostalgic subgenre of RPGs. Justdan, a Taipei-based developer, has unveiled their own RPG, Tianji: Shadow of the Ancients, which pays homage to classic RPGs but with a distinctly Mainland Asian flavor. Set during China's Tang Dynasty and powered by Qi energy, the game introduces players to practitioners of Eastern martial arts for whom Qi energy is familiar, though newcomers may find the concept a bit mystifying.\n\nTianji's protagonist, Shangguan Shuo, starts off with amnesia, a result of a run-in with the sinister Xuanxin Order. This unfortunate incident kicks off his quest to retrieve his lost memories and unravel the mystery behind the mysterious voice in his head, which constantly questions his identity. Throughout his journey, Shuo encounters a diverse cast of characters who eagerly join his cause, ready to lay down their lives for the sake of the journey.\n\nTianji: Shadow of the Ancients offers a delightful blend of exploration and turn-based combat. Unlike Square Enix's pixellated sprites, Tianji features razor-sharp 2D chibi-style characters that are brought to life with animated touches and emotive expressions in their in-engine cutscenes. The world itself is presented in a combination of 3D environments, including villages, towns, caves, forests, and mountains. Rendered using Unreal Engine 5, the game boasts depth of field effects that enhance the overall visual experience.\n\nWhile the game's formula may feel familiar, the developers have made adjustments to cater to modern players' demands. Battle speed can be increased up to 2x the normal pace, and players can automatically defeat lower-level foes after leveling up a bit. The vertical skill tree allows for meaningful choices and skills that adapt across the entire party, adding an element of strategy to the turn-based combat. Among these skills is Scattered Stars II, which fires three hits at random targets and, on a critical hit, triggers another hit for free.\n\nPlayers will also encounter companions along the way, including the aforementioned noble idiots who willingly put themselves in harm's way. Each companion has their own personal storyline and unique skill that improves upon spending time with them. Spending time with companions yields benefits like weapon enhancement, cooking buffs at camp, or trading items for those needed. This traditional RPG element of improving party members based on usage adds depth to the gameplay and encourages players to explore various paths rather than sticking with the strongest three indefinitely.\n\nAside from battles, players can explore hidden bosses, side quests, and dungeons scattered across the overworld map, which are connected by Qi leylines. These off-the-beaten-path elements encourage players to venture beyond the main quest and immerse themselves in the game's beautifully crafted scenery. Tianji: Shadow of the Ancients is set for release in 2027, with support for Steam, both generations of Switch, and PS5. Although the game is still in its early stages, the combination of chibi-style visuals, intricate world-building, and engaging combat mechanics make it a promising addition to the RPG genre.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}