Xuan-Yuan Sword 2

About

Xuan-Yuan Sword 2 is a turn-based role-playing game built on the foundation of its 1994 DOS release. Players guide a cast of warriors, mystics, and spirits through tactical battles and a mythic narrative. Combat blends position-based strategy with character abilities, requiring careful planning to counter enemies. The story follows He Ran and allies as they figure out ancient curses, time-travel mysteries, and a war against a godlike antagonist. Dialogue and quests emphasize moral choices, with outcomes shaping relationships and outcomes. The game stands out for its distinct visual style, using hand-painted Chinese ink wash techniques for character portraits, environments, and monsters. This artistic direction became a defining trait of the series, influencing later entries. While its 256-color VGA graphics and text-heavy interface feel dated, fans praise its narrative depth and the way it weaves folklore into gameplay. A small but dedicated community keeps it alive through retro gaming circles.

Storyline

Continuing from where the first game left off, He Ran (何然), together with the vigilante Yang Kunshuo (楊坤碩) and the young thaumaturge Jiang Ruhong (江如紅), defeated the dreaded incarnation of the Flaming Phoenix (火鳳凰) (the sinister monster who kidnapped Jiang), befriended a benevolent fox spirit Gu Yuesheng (古月聖), and traveled back in time to find He Ran's parents. They sought to bring about the end of the leader of the invasive monsters, known as the Wicked God (惡神), Bashe, and eventually confronted the treacherous Spirit of the Vessel.