For most of gaming history, America and Japan have led development, but more regions now create high-quality games, making it a global industry. China has become a major player, thriving in its domestic market before producing games that achieve international recognition.

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Chinese developers have mastered free-to-play and gacha models, excelling in mobile gaming due to the country’s limited focus on home consoles. Chinese MOBAs, battle royales, and action-adventure games have dominated for years. With the success of Black Myth: Wukong, we can expect more outstanding triple-A single-player titles from China, further cementing its influence in the gaming industry.
10
Fist: Forged In Shadow Torch
Most games made in China have more of a style that looks like a combination of Wuxia and anime, but Bilibili (China’s YouTube) went a different route by designing a dieselpunk-inspired Metroidvania. Fist: Forged in Shadow Torch is an animorphic world filled with awesome robots in a dark, dystopian-like setting.
There is a lot of backtracking in Fist: Forged in Shadow Torch, which is frustrating due to a lack of good travel options. However, the story is the main focus here, with a lot of capitalistic and environmental narratives developing throughout the game.
9
Honkai: Star Rail
Not many big-budget gacha games go the turn-based RPG route anymore, but Honkai: Star Rail carved a large niche by taking things slow. Honkai: Star Rail is one of the best games for players who don’t want a ton of commitment, offering manageable dailies and a useful auto-battle option.
Honkai: Star Rail scratches that Shounen sci-fi itch with its lore-rich story. The first several arcs are among the better-written ones, but whenever Kafka is involved, things always get fun.
8
Honor Of Kings
One of the biggest mobile MOBAs in the world is Honor of Kings. It essentially took many elements people love about League of Legends, sped things up tenfold, and crammed it all into a mobile device. Honor of Kings is highly dynamic, built around constant team fighting and brawling.
The shortened lane phase is a double-edged sword. In many ways, the farming phase is what separates good players from bad ones in a MOBA. However, farming can be quite boring for many, and battling in the jungle or engaging in team fights are often the most enjoyable parts of a MOBA for many players.
7
Wuthering Waves
One of the most graphically impressive games on mobile, Wuthering Waves builds on other open-world games like Genshin Impact by emphasizing dynamic combat. The animation is silky smooth, allowing you to traverse the world using parkour-style jumps.
The combat is fast-paced and highly dynamic, requiring you to be proficient at switching between characters to utilize different techniques and exploit your opponent’s weaknesses. Wuthering Waves is a skill-based game, and it’s possible to defeat enemies much higher in level if your execution is good enough.
6
Naraka: Bladepoint
Unlike most battle royale games, Naraka: Bladepoint has no emphasis on shooting. It’s a true melee game, where 60 players must engage in hand-to-hand combat (or rather, blade-to-blade) until only one remains.
Naraka: Bladepoint utilizes a variety of equipment and gear that you can discover throughout the map to customize your character. The game has a high skill cap, allowing you to use cancels to make your character faster. There is also a significant risk-and-reward element with its parry system, where you risk getting hit in order to punish your opponent effectively.
5
Zenless Zone Zero
Zenless Zone Zero cranks up the speed and intensity compared to Mihoyo’s other titles. It downplays the rock-paper-scissors style of elemental matchups in favor of more reaction-based combat. While it isn’t as relaxing as Honkai: Star Rail or as exploration-focused as Genshin Impact, it offers a satisfying challenge for those seeking to test their execution.
The art direction in Zenless Zone Zero is Mihoyo’s most creative and ambitious yet, featuring stunning futuristic cityscapes and dystopian themes. While its plot isn’t as strong as some other Mihoyo titles, it excels in crafting protagonists with distinct personalities and motivations, avoiding the typical silent protagonist approach.
4
Genshin Impact
Likely the most famous game developed in China, Genshin Impact is the most influential action-adventure gacha game. While many other open-world gacha games feature more complex battle systems and more powerful graphics, none have developed the colossal world filled with rich lore and a thrilling plot that Genshin Impact offers.

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Genshin Impact’s world consists of a massive political crisis spanning several kingdoms and nations (somewhat akin to the hit series Avatar: The Last Airbender). Each of these nations has its own culture, ethnic groups, and major political figures that continuously push the story forward. While, at times, Genshin’s impact formula on the gacha game format limits its narrative execution, it still excels in designing a world you want to explore and learn more about.
3
Into The Breach
Into the Breach is as much a puzzle game as it is a strategy game. It consists of a gauntlet of short levels where you essentially need to solve chess-like puzzles. The number of moves you can make on the grid is limited, and there are various missions and terrain obstacles that make your choices more complex.
There is a good amount of customization in Into the Breach, making each run feel different. You control three different mechs, and each one can be equipped with tools that suit your playstyle.
2
Black Myth: Wukong
Widely recognized as the first proper triple-A single-player title, Black Myth: Wukong marked a major triumph in Chinese game development. The game’s graphics and art design are truly stunning, immersing players in the mythical world of the legendary fable Journey to the West.
While gigantic worlds often come at the expense of gameplay, Black Myth: Wukong features a combat system that demands thoughtful decision-making and short-term planning. Players have access to a variety of attacks, but resources are limited, adding strategic depth. Although Black Myth: Wukong isn’t as punishing as a Souls-like game, it offers a worthy challenge that justifies its 40-hour playtime.
1
FTL: Faster Than Light
Designed by a development team that used to be part of 2K’s defunct 2K China team, FTL: Faster Than Light was one of the standout games during the Indie New Wave of the early 2010s. Every fan of space operas instantly fell in love with FTL: Faster Than Light’s immersive multitasking gameplay, which involves piloting, repairing, shooting, and fighting aboard your spacecraft.
Like many roguelike games, FTL: Faster Than Light is often brutal and sometimes nearly impossible to win. The game keeps you on the edge of your seat, especially when you risk taking a path that might lead you straight into a band of pirates your ship’s hull isn’t prepared to withstand.
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