Tianji: Shadow of the Ancients – A Hands‑On Look at the Ink‑Wash Turn‑Based RPG

When Justdan, the Taipei studio that quietly churns out indie gems, announced Tianji: Shadow of the Ancients, I was instantly curious. A turn‑based RPG set in a stylised Tang Dynasty, rendered in ink‑wash brush strokes? That’s a combination you don’t see every day, and it felt like a love letter to the RPGs we grew up with.

The premise is simple enough to sound familiar: you play as Shangguan Shuo, an amnesiac caught in the clutches of the shadowy Xuanxin Order. He awakens with a mysterious voice echoing in his mind, and the rest of the game becomes a quest to piece together his past while untangling the secrets of a world powered by Qi. For those new to the term, think of Qi as a life‑force that permeates everything, similar to mana but rooted in Eastern philosophy.

Visually, Tianji stands apart. Instead of the chunky pixel sprites that dominate many modern HD‑2D titles, the characters are crisp 2D chibi renditions that still manage to convey emotion through subtle animations. Cut‑scenes toggle between ink‑on‑paper sketches that feel like a living scroll and more conventional 3D moments, all powered by Unreal Engine 5. The result is a world that feels both handcrafted and technically impressive, with villages, caves and mist‑shrouded mountains popping into view as the camera glides from a comfortable distance.

Gameplay-wise, the combat respects the turn‑based tradition while sprinkling in a few quality‑of‑life tricks. Battles can be cranked up to double speed, and once you’ve raised your level a bit, low‑level enemies are auto‑defeated, sparing you the grind. The skill tree is vertical and branching, letting you specialise in elemental Qi abilities or go for hybrid combos that involve the whole party. One standout skill, Scattered Stars II, randomly hits three targets and, on a critical, grants a free extra strike – a nice taste of the depth you’ll unlock after a dozen hours.

The party system is another nod to classic JRPGs. As you travel, you’ll meet a motley crew of “noble idiots” who each bring a unique side‑story and a skill you won’t find elsewhere. Spend time with them, and those abilities level up, unlocking perks like weapon enhancement, camp‑cooking buffs, or even profitable item trades. It encourages you to rotate your lineup instead of locking onto the three strongest characters forever.

Exploration is rewarded too. The overworld map, rendered in that gorgeous ink‑wash aesthetic, is peppered with Qi leylines that aren’t just decorative—they hint at hidden bosses, optional dungeons and side‑quests for those willing to stray from the yellow‑brick road. It’s a subtle reminder that the best loot often lies off‑path.

All of this is slated for a 2027 release on Steam, both Switch generations and PS5. That’s a surprisingly broad launch plan for a title steeped in such specific cultural influences, but it shows confidence in the game’s universal appeal. Until then, the preview leaves me cautiously optimistic: an amnesiac hero, a mysterious voice, and a combat system that asks you to think rather than button‑mash.