The World of Kungfu: Dragon and Eagle PAX West Impression

The localization team is hard at work to make sure none of the nuance from the classic kung fu novels is lost, and each of the sects are treated in a manner befitting the comedy and drama of the story being told.

Sometimes all a game needs is an interesting hook to grab some attention.  Developers ChillyRoom thought about that long and hard when coming up with their turn-based tactical RPG The World of Kungfu: Dragon and Eagle by featuring various schools of kung fu and setting it in the fictional Chin/Sun dynasty of China.  There’s also a lot of inspiration from kung fu novels from throughout the years as both a comedic source as well as one of action.  RPGamer got the chance to take a look at how these kung fu masters fare on the battlefield in this Chinese Early Access title that will have to wait for its full release to be available in English.

In The World of Kungfu: Dragon and Eagle, players get to choose a background, which helps determine starting attributes and kung fu style, then set out on a journey full of story beats that take after their kung fu novel inspiration.  After finishing the tutorial to beat on the protagonist’s rival a few times to get used to the grid-based movement and combat, players are treated to a semi-open world.  Areas on the map display recommended player levels, and even on the easier difficulties players aren’t able to skip too many dungeons, but might be able to get a few skills early by exploring around.  Exploration isn’t just for gaining new martial arts, as there are up to 108 different companions that can join the party.  Getting all of them in one playthrough will be impossible based on the morality options of good and evil that can make some of them unavailable.  Customizing loadouts by finding collections of kung fu manuals throughout the world that add skills to certain characters means that every playthrough will be just a little different.  Quest progression is somewhat sandbox in presentation with plenty of sidequests available at any given time.

Combat encounters in the game are currently preset, with each map tied to a quest or sidequest of some variety.  In the full release there are to be a set of random tasks available in each town to help with grinding and collecting additional gear.  The World of Kungfu: Dragon and Eagle has its masters slowly learn how to use their martial arts better by building affinity with various types of kung fu, as well as build strength and stats, and even add range to the abilities.  Even the basic Toe Stomp ability becomes more powerful as time goes on.  Dungeons aren’t as simple as they first appear, as many have deeper levels that are more challenging than the early floors.  There’s a tactical mode that can be swapped to for an extra challenge, but the story also offers much to see and plenty of people to talk to.  Even the town seen in the beginning of the demo had a few quest givers, as well as a shop to buy tasty lamb buns for a dog companion, who can also learn kung fu techniques.

The localization team is hard at work to make sure none of the nuance from the classic kung fu novels is lost, and each of the sects are treated in a manner befitting the comedy and drama of the story being told.  With this in mind there’s still a lot that needs to be completed while the game is in Early Access.  Worry not though as it looks to have a lot packed into it when it releases on PC in Q2 2024.