by Three games currently attracting attention in China offer very different experiences, from challenging anime-style action to nostalgic mecha adventures and AI-powered romance. Xingsuo has unveiled its first trailer and boss battle footage; a new idle card RPG based on Mashin Hero Wataru is preparing for launch, and Cloud Dream Journey is developing a 3D romance experience built around conversations with AI-powered characters.
These titles are particularly interesting for players who follow games before their international release. However, each project is at a different stage: one is still in development with a release window planned for 2028, another is scheduled to launch in China on October 28, 2026, and the third is accepting pre-registrations while its next test remains unannounced. As of October 27, no Japanese release has been confirmed for these games.
Here is a closer look at the three games, including their settings, gameplay features, latest announcements, and what players should know before getting excited about a potential international release.
- Xingsuo: An Anime-Style Action RPG Set in a World Where Death Has Stopped
Developer: NUTAYU (Nantangyu)
Genre: Anime-style action RPG, sandbox exploration
Platforms: PC and mobile platforms are planned
Latest announcement: First promotional trailer and gameplay footage released on October 23, 2026
Expected release: PC is listed for Q1 2028, while mobile is listed for Q2 2028
A mysterious world where the cycle of life and death has stopped
On October 23, developer NUTAYU released the first promotional video for Xingsuo (星溯), an upcoming anime-style action RPG that has attracted attention for its unusual setting. The game takes place in a world where the natural cycle of life, death, and reincarnation has come to a halt.
The project was previously reported by Chinese media around 2024 under the longer title Xingsuo: Jie Jin Yong Hui. At that time, it was described as an anime-style open-world game with space as a central theme. The latest official presentation provides a clearer picture of the project, describing it as a sandbox-style action RPG set in a world struggling with the consequences of a broken cycle of life and death.
The game’s central premise raises an intriguing question: what happens when people can no longer die in the normal way, and the souls of the deceased cannot return to their proper destination?
According to the game’s introduction, a disaster has left civilization surrounded by destruction and darkness. The player takes on the role of a Guide, a character who awakens from ancient ruins and must work with special companions known as psychics. Together, they embark on a journey to uncover the truth behind the catastrophe and restore the cycle of reincarnation.
Rather than presenting the setting as a simple fantasy adventure, Xingsuo appears to combine exploration, combat, mysterious ruins, and a larger story about survival. The world itself is one of the game’s main attractions, with the player expected to discover the remnants of a civilization affected by the catastrophe.
What does the first gameplay footage reveal?
The October 23 announcement included a roughly three-minute teaser trailer, along with two gameplay videos showing boss encounters. These videos offer an early look at the game’s visual style and combat mechanics.
The available footage suggests that combat will require more than simply attacking enemies repeatedly. The boss battle demonstrations feature several mechanics that will be familiar to players of action RPGs:
- Parrying: Players can time defensive actions to counter incoming attacks, including certain ranged attacks.
- Dodge-based combat: Avoiding enemy strikes is an important part of surviving encounters.
- Character switching: Gameplay footage shows a party of three characters, with the ability to switch between them during combat.
- Stagger mechanics: Bosses have a stagger gauge. Reducing it can create an opportunity to deal additional damage.
- Character skills: Each fighter can use normal attacks and special abilities, encouraging players to combine different characters’ strengths.
These features point toward a combat system that rewards timing and tactical decisions. For example, a player may need to dodge a powerful attack, counter at the right moment, and then switch characters to take advantage of a boss’s vulnerable state.
However, the footage represents an early look at the game rather than a complete explanation of its systems. Details such as the full playable character roster, equipment progression, endgame content, and multiplayer features have not yet been comprehensively confirmed.
Japanese voice actors have already been announced.
Another notable detail is that Japanese voice acting is already featured in the promotional videos. This means the game’s initial presentation is not limited to Chinese-language material, even though its current pre-registration and development information is primarily aimed at the Chinese market.
The announced Japanese cast includes Kurumi Orihara as the Guide, Haruka Watanabe as Feist, Maaya Torigoe as Colette, Sara Tajima as Mavis, and Erika Ueno as Xiolin. The official promotional video also lists the Chinese voice cast.
Japanese voice acting may make the game especially interesting to anime fans who prefer Japanese audio. Nevertheless, it does not by itself confirm a Japanese launch, a Japanese-language interface, or a worldwide release.
When will Xingsuo be released?
As of October 27, 2026, the game is still in development, and the timing of its next beta test has not been announced. Its current listings indicate a planned PC release in the first quarter of 2028 and a mobile release in the second quarter of 2028. These are development targets rather than guaranteed launch dates.
Players interested in the project can follow its official Chinese game pages and pre-registration listings for future updates. Until the developers announce more details, questions about a Japanese release, international servers, and regional language support remain open.
- Mashin Hero Wataru: A New Idle Card RPG Heads Toward Its Chinese Launch
Based on: Mashin Hero Wataru
Genre: Mobile idle card RPG
Licensing: Officially licensed by SUNRISE
Pre-download: Began October 27, 2026
Scheduled Chinese launch: October 28, 2026, at 10 a.m. local time
A classic anime returns in mobile game form
The next title is a mobile game based on Mashin Hero Wataru, the classic anime franchise known for its colorful fantasy setting, giant robotic warriors, and adventurous hero.
The new game, listed in Chinese as Mashin Hero Wataru: Shenlong Warrior (魔神英雄传 神龙闘士), is being developed under an official license from SUNRISE. It combines card-based team building with idle gameplay, allowing players to collect and strengthen familiar mecha while progressing through an adventure inspired by the original series.
The story centers on Wataru Senbe, the young hero who sets out to restore peace to the Shinbu world. Players join him on an adventure through Sōkaizan, a series of fantasy realms that form an important part of the original franchise’s setting.
For readers unfamiliar with the term, idle gameplay allows a game to make progress automatically, often including battles or resource collection, even when players are not actively controlling every action. This format is designed for people who enjoy character collection and progression but may not have time for lengthy gaming sessions every day.
The game combines this accessible structure with card RPG mechanics, meaning that collecting characters, developing their abilities, and assembling an effective team remain important parts of the experience.
One of the main attractions is the appearance of recognizable machines from the original anime, including Ryujinmaru and Sen’ōmaru. Players can summon or collect these mecha, strengthen them, and build a party suited to different encounters.
For longtime fans, seeing these familiar machines return in a new format may be a major reason to try the game. For newcomers, the collection system offers a straightforward way to discover the franchise’s distinctive robotic designs.
The game is not limited to automatic battles, however. Its promotional description also emphasizes strategic party formation, character development, and competition with other players.
Players can join guilds, cooperate to secure resources, and participate in cross-server guild battles. In this context, a guild is an in-game group whose members can work together toward shared goals and compete against other groups.
The game also advertises a range of player-versus-environment activities, often shortened to PvE. These are challenges in which players fight computer-controlled enemies rather than competing directly against other players. Such modes can provide materials and resources needed to upgrade a team.
From beta testing to the scheduled launch
The game previously held a data-wipe beta test through 9Game beginning July 28, 2026. The test included paid features, but the test data was scheduled to be deleted, meaning that progress made during the trial would not necessarily carry over to the final version.
The developers initially announced a September 17 launch, but that date was subsequently postponed. On October 20, the release was rescheduled for October 28. Pre-download began on October 27, allowing players to install the game before the servers opened.
As of October 27, the game is therefore on the eve of its scheduled Chinese launch. Players should still check the official regional listing for any last-minute service announcements.
Will the Mashin Hero Wataru game be available in Japan?
The game has an official license from SUNRISE, but that does not automatically mean it will launch in Japan or other international markets. The current launch information points to Chinese-language distribution, and a Japanese release has not been confirmed in the available announcements.
International fans who want to play should verify regional account requirements, supported devices, and language availability before attempting to register. The existence of a licensed game is promising for fans of the franchise, but an overseas release would require separate confirmation.
- Cloud Dream Journey: A 3D Romance Game Built Around AI Companions
Chinese title: Yunduan Menglü (云端梦旅)
Related project name: Code: Cloud (代号：云端)
Genre: 3D romance adventure, otome game, AI companion simulation
Platforms listed: Android and iOS
Current status: Pre-registration open; next test date unannounced
A mysterious app leads to a futuristic city
The third game, Cloud Dream Journey, takes a different approach from the other two titles. Instead of focusing on combat or mecha collection, it is a 3D romance adventure designed around interaction with AI-powered male characters.
The project has also been associated with the name Code: Cloud. It has gradually gained attention through its promotional materials and earlier testing, and its current listings continue to accept pre-registrations.
The story begins when a mysterious application suddenly appears on the player’s smartphone. Opening it draws the player into a futuristic city called Yunshu, where everyday life appears normal at first. However, strange phenomena begin to emerge as another realm, known as the Dream World, starts encroaching on reality.
The player becomes involved in uncovering the mystery behind this phenomenon. As the story develops, the boundaries between different worlds, memories, and identities begin to blur.
This setup combines science-fiction mystery with romance. Rather than being only a dating simulator, the game uses its alternate-world premise to create a continuing narrative in which the player encounters characters across different circumstances and settings.
AI-powered conversations are the main attraction
The game’s biggest selling point is its AI companion system. Players can talk with 3D male characters through relatively free-form conversations rather than relying exclusively on fixed dialogue choices. The developers say the characters can remember previous conversations, helping interactions feel more personal over time.
This approach differs from many traditional otome games, a genre generally centered on romance stories written for a primarily female audience. In a conventional otome game, the player often follows scripted dialogue and makes choices that influence a character relationship or the story’s direction.
An AI companion game aims to make conversations feel more open-ended. Players may be able to bring up different topics, revisit earlier discussions, and develop a sense of continuity with a character.
In Cloud Dream Journey, this conversational element is paired with 3D character models and a story that moves between the modern city and otherworldly settings. The goal is to combine a romantic relationship experience with an ongoing adventure.
However, AI conversations can also be unpredictable. Responses may occasionally feel inconsistent or fail to match a character’s established personality, so the quality of the experience depends heavily on how well the dialogue system works.
What did players say about the earlier tests?
Reviews posted on TapTap after previous testing have highlighted both promising features and areas that need improvement. Some players praised the way characters could remember earlier conversations, describing this continuity as an important part of the game’s appeal. Others reported bugs or inconsistencies in the conversation system.
These reports suggest that the developers are exploring a more personalized form of character interaction, but they also show why additional testing is important.
For an AI companion game, conversation quality is central to the overall experience. Players may expect a character to remember a previous topic, respond appropriately to a familiar situation, and maintain a consistent personality. When the system fails to meet those expectations, the interaction can feel less natural.
It is therefore best to treat the early feedback as a snapshot of the test version rather than a final verdict on the finished game. The development team may continue improving the AI system, fixing bugs, and refining the way characters respond to players.
A story that combines romance and alternate worlds
The game’s world-building is another notable feature. The player is not simply chatting with characters in a static environment; the story involves a futuristic city, a mysterious application, and a separate realm that threatens to overlap with reality.
The developers describe the game as an experience that continues to grow rather than one that revolves solely around reaching a final ending. This idea fits the AI companion concept, where players may return repeatedly to interact with characters and continue building conversational history.
The combination could appeal to players who enjoy romantic storytelling but also want more freedom in how they interact with fictional characters. It may also attract players curious about the use of AI in narrative games.
At the same time, the game’s long-term appeal will depend on how the developers balance open conversation with structured storytelling. A strong romance experience generally needs more than responsive dialogue: character development, believable relationships, narrative progression, and technical reliability all matter.
When can players try Cloud Dream Journey?
The game is currently accepting pre-registrations through Chinese game platforms, including TapTap and other listings. However, it remains in development, and the next test date has not been announced.
The listed platforms include Android and iOS, but players should not assume that the game is available in every country or language. As of October 27, 2026, no Japanese launch date has been confirmed.
Those interested in the project should follow its official pages for information about the next test, new characters, improvements to the AI conversation system, and eventual release plans.
Comparison: Which of These Upcoming Games Is Worth Watching?
Players who enjoy demanding action games may want to follow Xingsuo, particularly if its parrying and boss mechanics develop into a rewarding combat system. Fans of classic anime robots may prefer the Mashin Hero Wataru game, which emphasizes collecting familiar machines and developing a team. Meanwhile, players interested in romance and AI-powered interactions may find Cloud Dream Journey the most unusual of the three.
Their different release schedules also matter. The Wataru game is the closest to launch, while Xingsuo is still years away from its planned release window. Cloud Dream Journey falls between these extremes in terms of visibility, with pre-registration open but no confirmed next test date.
What International Players Should Know
All three games are currently being promoted primarily through Chinese platforms. Their listings and announcements do not confirm a Japanese release, and international availability should not be assumed.
Before attempting to pre-register or download a game, players should check:
- Supported regions: Is registration or installation limited to China?
- Language options: Does the game support Japanese or English text, or only Chinese?
- Account requirements: Is a local phone number or regional account needed?
- Platform compatibility: Is the game available for the player’s device and operating system?
- Release status: Is the listing for a full launch, a beta test, or pre-registration only?
These details are particularly important for games that use regional app stores, online services, or account systems. A title may be visible on a game-discovery platform without being officially accessible in every market.
Xingsuo, Mashin Hero Wataru, and Cloud Dream Journey demonstrate three very different directions in mobile and anime-inspired gaming.
Xingsuo stands out for its dark premise, where the cycle of life and death has stopped, and for gameplay footage that emphasizes timed defense, character switching, and boss battles. Its planned 2028 release leaves plenty of time for further development and additional announcements.
The Mashin Hero Wataru mobile game is the most immediate release, with pre-download beginning on October 27 and its Chinese launch scheduled for October 28, 2026. Its combination of idle progression, mecha collection, and team-based battles could appeal to both longtime fans and players looking for a more relaxed RPG.
Finally, Cloud Dream Journey is exploring how AI can make romance-game conversations feel more personal. Its earlier test feedback highlights the promise of characters that remember previous discussions, while also showing that conversation bugs and consistency remain important areas for improvement.
For now, these three titles are worth watching, but their international futures remain uncertain. Players interested in trying them should keep an eye on official announcements for confirmed launch dates, language support, and regional availability.
