Justdan has officially unveiled Tianji: Shadow of the Ancients, a new in-house developed RPG directed by the creator behind the Xuan-Yuan Sword series. Set during the Tang Dynasty, the game combines traditional turn-based RPG mechanics with a combo-focused combat system designed to add a faster, more action-oriented feel to battles.
Players take on the role of Shangguan Shuo, an amnesiac member of the Tianji Guard who awakens with little more than a Tianji Guard fish token and a mysterious mask. His search for his lost memories soon leads him into a conspiracy surrounding the enigmatic Xuanxin Order.
A Tang Dynasty Mystery
The story takes place during the turbulent Tianbao era of the Tang Dynasty. The Tianji Guard is dispatched to investigate a thousand-year-old ruin in Bashu, but the mission takes a disastrous turn when its commanding general puts on a mysterious bronze mask, loses control of himself and causes the organization to collapse.
Months later, the Xuanxin Order emerges and rapidly expands its influence throughout the region using masks and mysterious spiritual arts. Shangguan Shuo awakens inside one of the Order’s strongholds and begins investigating his identity, gradually uncovering the truth behind the organization and the events that led to the Tianji Guard’s downfall.
Combo-Focused Turn-Based Combat
Tianji: Shadow of the Ancients aims to give turn-based combat a more dynamic feel through a range of combo-based mechanics.
Its combat system features Chain Skills, Weak Points Exploitation, Pursuit Skills, Block Counters and No DMG Bonus, allowing players to string together attacks while exploiting enemy weaknesses and timing defensive actions.
Enemy encounters are also visible on the map, giving players the choice of whether to engage. Stronger characters can take advantage of level differences to instantly defeat weaker enemies, keeping exploration from becoming unnecessarily slow.
Hand-Drawn Art and Interactive Exploration
The game features high-definition 2D hand-drawn visuals inspired by traditional Chinese landscape painting. Its environments, architecture, character clothing, flora and fauna are designed with detailed Tang Dynasty aesthetics in mind.
Exploration also incorporates elements more commonly associated with action games. Players can climb, swim and solve environmental puzzles while navigating the game’s various locations.
Towns can also be freely explored during the day or night. Changing the time can reveal different events and hidden items, encouraging players to revisit areas and explore them from different perspectives.
Companions With Their Own Stories and Skills
Shangguan Shuo will encounter a variety of companions throughout his journey, each bringing more than just additional combat abilities to the party.
Companions possess unique skills that can be used outside battle, including cooking, equipment refinement, Core upgrades and trading for rare items. Their individual side stories will further develop their characters while unlocking improvements to these abilities.
Tianji: Shadow of the Ancients is currently in active development. Justdan has not yet announced a release date, with further details on its gameplay systems, characters and launch plans expected at a later date.
