Before the emergence of titles like Black Myth: Wukong and Phantom Blade: Zero, there was The Scroll of Taiwu, a Chinese indie game that captured the hearts of millions since its early access debut on Steam in 2018. Now, after an extensive eight-year journey, it has reached its full version 1.0, marking a significant milestone in a time when Chinese-developed games are gaining unprecedented popularity.
The Scroll of Taiwu distinguishes itself from the action-packed titles dominating the market. Instead of fast-paced combat, players embark on a thoughtful journey steeped in Chinese mythology. Leye “Yager” Yu, the game’s publishing advisor, candidly notes that “the first two hours of gameplay is kind of boring.” However, he assures that once players become immersed in its world, they are likely to remain captivated for the long haul.
Examining the Steam page for The Scroll of Taiwu may not fully convey its depth. Yager describes it as a blend of Crusader Kings 2, Kenshi, and Baldur’s Gate, where players traverse an expansive open world, mastering martial arts, engaging with diverse characters, managing towns, and resolving conflicts that shape the game’s future. The simulation’s complexity has fostered a vibrant community of players who actively share strategies and insights on their Discord server.
Going big
While The Scroll of Taiwu has found a dedicated audience among Chinese players, its lack of English localization posed a barrier for Western audiences. With over 5 million words in its script, complete translation proved a daunting task for fans. The recent full release has introduced English localization, albeit still a work in progress, which Yager hopes will broaden the game’s appeal, allowing more players to explore its unique blend of Wuxia and Chinese mythology.
This localization effort is particularly timely, given the rising interest among Western gamers in Chinese-developed titles. The success of Black Myth: Wukong and the influx of Chinese games on Steam have created a favorable environment for The Scroll of Taiwu to gain traction, according to Yager.
Although it hasn’t dominated the Steam charts, the game is part of a wave of Chinese titles that showcase the rich cultural heritage and history that many developers infuse into their work. Yager acknowledges the challenge of marketing a game like The Scroll of Taiwu to audiences outside China but remains optimistic that its striking art and compelling characters will attract attention.
Something special
Initially hesitant to publish the game due to its intricate systems, Yager has personally invested over 1,200 hours into The Scroll of Taiwu. His belief in the project is unwavering, despite the development team’s temptation to delay the release in favor of adding more features. He describes creator Zheng Jie as a “stubborn guy,” emphasizing that such determination is essential for crafting a game that is as unique and mechanically rich as this one.
Looking ahead, Yager aims to raise awareness of The Scroll of Taiwu through influencers and organic word-of-mouth. He recognizes that it may take time for English-speaking players to discover the game, but he is confident that its merits will eventually shine through. Meanwhile, the developers are diligently working on bug fixes and enhancing the English localization in the wake of the 1.0 release.
As a passionate fan of Wuxia, Yager expresses that if he were to create his own game, it would likely resemble The Scroll of Taiwu. Having joined the community surrounding the game eight years ago, he takes pride in supporting the developers of a title that has inspired not only players but also indie game developers in China. “This game didn’t just inspire the indie game developers in China,” he reflects, “it gives them the idea that if you do something really deep, if you do something really concentrated with indie games, you can have success.”
