Gorgeous Wuxia inspired MMO Sword of Justice is coming to the West

I've always loved MMOs. I've plowed hours into exploring every corner of Azeroth, and happily whiled away the days chilling by the Aetheryte in Limsa Lominsa, watching the world go by. But, with stellar single-player games like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and Baldur's Gate 3 occupying my time at the moment, I've fallen off of the MMO grindset and haven't quite found a reason to return to it. Enter Sword of Justice, Netease's gorgeous new Wuxia-inspired fantasy adventure. Having racked up over 40 million players in China during its first month alone, the team confirms that it's coming to the West, and it's about to ruin my attempts to clear my Steam backlog.

Inspired by the 12th Century Northern Song Dynasty, Sword of Justice's world is to die for. There are misty mountains, sparkling rivers, and an abundance of cherry blossoms, as well as traditional Pagoda cities bustling with travellers during the day, and alive with street markets at night. There's dynamic weather to keep you on your toes, myriad mythical creatures to befriend, and bandits that need a good old thrashing – it's the traditional MMO format, but reimagined through an Eastern lens.

You'll be able to fully customize your character and choose from six different Wuxia-inspired classes, known as 'schools.' There's the spear-wielding Bloodstrom, bard-like Celestune, gauntlet-wearing Ironclad, rogue-inspired Nightwalker, magical Numina, and the mysterious Sylph, who's described as using ribbons (although a quick Google search implies that they're an elemental-focused mage). Each no doubt comes with their own unique skillsets, but for now, we only have their names.

In terms of battle, however, Netease states that "combat isn't just a series of actions, but a cinematic-quality, electrifying experience" that offers "360-degree seamless battle perspective switching." You'll find yourself taking down your enemies in style across various raids, dungeons, and world bosses, which are also available for solo play if you prefer doing your own thing.

But, if you're more interested in the 'multiplayer' part of MMOs, there are plenty of social activities on offer, too. You can join guilds, form brotherhoods, and even romance NPCs, as well as explore the world using ships, flight, and what looks like water skating (that last one has me intrigued).

Netease has also been quick to stress that there are no pay-to-win elements in Sword of Justice, noting that "all progression resources are earned solely through gameplay, transforming character development from a grind into pure strategic joy. With strict attribute caps ensuring no player can buy dominance, victory hinges entirely on mastering hundreds of dynamic combat combos.

"Each season resets rankings and introduces fresh content, letting everyone restart on equal footing. Here, your skill crafts legends, not your wallet." Presumably there'll be the usual optional cosmetic drops, but as someone who bounced off of many a gacha game despite their initial promise, this all sounds good to me.

While Netease hasn't revealed the Sword of Justice release date, you can pre-register ahead of launch. As more players join, additional rewards will be on offer, and you can invite your friends or enter the ongoing prize draw to earn some extra goodies, too. You can sign up right here.

In the meantime, however, check out our list of the best free MMOs if you're looking for something without a subscription. Or, if you're seeking a new adventure to play with your friends, we have a rundown of the best multiplayer games.

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