Philosophic Love

Philosophic Love is a Chinese-language visual novel about a modern woman who travels back to the Warring States period, more than 2,300 years in the past. Set in 275 BCE, its story has over 500,000 Chinese characters and follows her choices as she seeks a way home and grows closer to the men she meets. Choices affect the story and can lead to completely different endings. The game includes voice acting and an affection system that shows how each male lead feels about her.

The story

After the Qi state is restored by Tian Dan, it reorganizes the Jixia Academy in hopes of regaining its former strength. Chu has declined after Qu Yuan drowned himself following the fall of Ying, while King Zhao of Qin plans for the future. The protagonist arrives in a mountain village in Qi and is advised to seek help from Zou Yan, a leading Yin-Yang scholar at Jixia Academy, to find a way back to the modern world.

Heavy winter snow has closed the pass to the capital, and it will be a month before it reopens. At the village inn, she meets disciples of Confucianism, Mohism, Daoism, the School of Names, Legalism and Yin-Yang thought. They will travel to Linzi when the snow melts, bringing different ideas and debates with them. The story follows her efforts to return to her own time and the possibility of winning one of their hearts.

The village and its choices

The story begins in Qingshiguan Village, a quiet, snowbound place far from the wars. Through life there, you encounter both familiar and unfamiliar aspects of the period. The modern protagonist, who did only moderately well in school, must find her footing among scholarly young men from ancient times.

Your decisions shape the story’s direction and endings. An affection system lets you see how close each male lead feels to the protagonist.

The six disciples

• Kong Hui: A 16-year-old from the state of Lu, courtesy name Mengqing, voiced by Lanling. Gentle and scholarly, he comes from a Confucian family and hopes to spread Confucian teachings, though he has a strong inner resolve beneath his mild appearance.
• Mo Xuan: A 20-year-old from Lu, courtesy name Youguang, voiced by Beiyan. Compassionate and peace-loving, he dreams of saving the world, practices various crafts and is interested in mechanical wooden devices. He is a tanned, lively young man.
• Zhuang Li: A 22-year-old from Chu (formerly Song), courtesy name Zijü, voiced by Teng Xin. Clever and free-spirited, he watches people and the world with an apparently rational detachment, but is generally kind. He often wears a faint smile.
• Hui Yang: A 21-year-old from Chu (formerly Song), courtesy name Zhongxiang, voiced by Mou Shenhua. A childhood friend and frequent bickering companion of Zhuang Li, he is logical, sharp-tongued and fond of debate and teasing, with a possibly gentle side beneath it.
• Han Ning: A 25-year-old from Han, courtesy name Zipei, voiced by Huanhuazuofeng. This dark-minded, distrustful nobleman reads widely and has developed his own political theory. He understands other people’s minds and has a tall build and sharp gaze.
• Zou Qingyue: A 19-year-old traveler of unknown origin, courtesy name Muzhi, voiced by Dingdang. Composed and witty, he likes teasing women, but his smile makes it difficult to know what he is thinking; he appears to have secrets.