The Dragon Sword

The Dragon Sword is a single-player martial arts tactics game with an original wuxia story, turn-based battles and freely developed characters. New companions join as the story progresses to help you fight for the principle that good triumphs over evil. The game contains one completed chapter; its later story is presented as a novel.

Story and setting

The main story follows an ordered sequence of events and battles, with some side branches appearing later that do not affect the main plot. Its maps use a traditional Chinese style, with settings, people and objects designed around the historical period.

Three featured characters are:

• The “Sword and Palm Double Master”: A renowned fighter with deep internal strength and exceptional intelligence, known as “Intelligent Warrior.” His Canglong Sword can sense flaws in opposing weapons and shatter them with a single strike. Once a commander of the Eastern Depot’s imperial guards, he was exiled beyond the frontier after offending Wei Zhongxian. He is the strategist of the Plum of Canglong Mountain and despises irredeemable villains.
• “Shadow Blade”: The daughter of Situ Zu, head of the Situ family in Chengdu. She excels at throwing weapons and lightness skills, and her Shadow Butterfly Blade technique is highly refined. Cool on the outside but warm-hearted, she prefers direct and concise conversation.
• “Mad Doctor”: The second son of Nangong Yue, head of the Nangong family. He is a skilled physician who wields an iron-bound book fan, and is also accomplished with concealed weapons, though he rarely uses them. Gentle and refined, with an eccentric sense of humor, he is the most amusing member of the Plum of Canglong Mountain.

Turn-based battles

Combat uses traditional turn-based tactics. Before a fight, you can see the battle statistics for both sides, then view the action through combat animations. A menu lets you switch between animated combat and direct battles on the map. You can also explore battle maps for items that restore health or magic.

Skills and character growth

Characters use three kinds of martial arts:

• Martial techniques: Early external attacks, available for close- and long-range combat.
• Martial arts secrets: Internal techniques for close-range, long-range and area attacks.
• Healing methods: Recovery skills, including the early technique “Emergency Bandaging.”

You can spend silver earned in battle at the training house in Shanhaitao to raise characters’ levels. The item shop there sells mysterious items that can be identified to reveal their attribute bonuses.