Single-player Chinese action RPG Swords of Legends, formerly Gujian 4, revealed for consoles and PC

Publisher Wangyuan Shengtang and developer Aurogon Shanghai have officially revealed Swords of Legends, previously announced as Gujian 4 in 2021, for unspecified consoles and PC. It is a single-player action RPG set in a mystical world inspired by legendary Chinese literature and far east cultural folklore, and is developed on Unreal Engine 5. A release date was not announced.

Here is an overview of the game, via its official website:

■ About

Swords of Legends is a single-player action role-playing game, developed by Aurogon Shanghai.

The living are wayfarers yet the dead are homecomers. In this world we pass through, we mourn the end that comes to all.

Dead yet reborn, you become a Underworld Enforcer, embarking on an adventure to guide the departed.

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■ Q&A

Is Swords of Legends a canonical sequel to the Gujian franchise, or more of a spin-off?

Swords of Legends is the official sequel to the Gujian single-player series developed by Shanghai Aurogon Studio. Building on the foundation laid by its predecessor, it will further expand the series’ universe and lore.

Is it a premium single-player title or a free-to-play live-service project? Which platforms will it launch on? Will there be a mobile version?

Swords of Legends is a premium single-player title planned for release on PC and consoles, with no mobile version. It is not a free-to-play title.

What’s the game genre? Is it Soulslike? Is it open world?

Swords of Legends is an action RPG with a strong, well-paced main story and rich cinematic storytelling, complemented by side quests and deep exploration. Neither a Soulslike nor a fully open-world game, the gameplay structure is closer to a “wide linear” experience, allowing players to approach the adventure at their own pace within the guided progression.

We noticed a clear shift in art direction and atmosphere compared to earlier entries. What kind of story are you telling this time?

As always, the game is set in an original fantasy world inspired by Chinese mythology and mystical folklore. This time, we’re expanding the Gujian universe by placing players in the role of an “Underworld Enforcer”—a unique figure who traverses between the realms of the living and the dead. You may have spotted familiar figures like the Ox-Head and Horse-Face guardians in the trailer; they will act as companions on your journey.

However, this is not a mere retelling of classic myths—players will personally guide lost souls, helping them resolve lingering regrets. Each soul has a deeply personal backstory. For example, in the trailer, you saw a woman dancing before a set of bronze bells, unable to let go of her attachment to the mortal world, willing to pay any price to remain.

How challenging is the combat?

We are not aiming for punishing difficulty or purely skill-gated combat. For example, “soul capturing” is both a narrative mechanic to the story and a core combat build. Players can capture the souls of certain monsters and summon them to assist in battle, with some offering cooperative combo attacks—such as the special drop attack triggered in the trailer when fighting alongside the Ox-Head and Horse-Face. Exploration will also yield a variety of utility items to aid in combat, and flexible weapon-skill loadouts will allow players to adapt to different enemy types. Our goal is to ensure players of all skill levels can have fun—and, as in any good RPG, enjoy the satisfying journey of growing stronger.

I’ve never played any game of Gujian franchise before. Will I need to catch up on the previous titles to enjoy this one?

No. Each entry in the Gujian franchise tells a standalone, complete story, and this installment is no exception—it introduces new characters and a self-contained narrative.

What’s the current development status? Will the game be ready soon?

Back in 2021, we were still in the early stages of initiating the project and conducting preliminary research. We set very high-quality expectations for the new title, and after exploring various technical approaches, we decided to develop it using Unreal Engine 5. This choice came with a significant budget requirement, which was a major challenge at the time.

While learning the engine, we also carried out early-stage research and planning. In early 2024, we secured investment, allowing the Swords of Legends team to gradually expand. As a result, the game has been in full development for about two years.

We have now entered the mass production stage, and with the release of the first trailer, we aim to showcase our progress so far and attract more exceptional talent to join our team.

Watch the reveal trailer below. View the first screenshots at the gallery.

Announce Trailer

English

Simplified Chinese