Interactive FMV games have been a staple in the 90s from your adventure titles like the Phantasmagoria and Texas Murphy series to puzzle titles like Myst. But China doesn’t seem to have any. Better late than never, right?

After so many decades, we’re finally getting a Chinese FMV interactive adventure game. New One Studio has announced its upcoming title Road To Empress, which features “4K visuals” and “authentic period detail that bring the grandeur of the imperial palace to life”.

Set in a richly reimagined Tang Dynasty, Road to Empress invites viewers to step into the dramatic ascent of Wu Zetian, China’s first and only female emperor. With each decision made through a simple click or tap, viewers shape the course of history — and unlock unique insights into their own personality.

New One Studio’s past works include The Invisible Guardian which garnered critical acclaim from the likes of BAFTA, so Road to Empress is the studio’s biggest work with producers, screenwriters, and more actors to work with. Sounds promising, especially since its screenshots and gameplay seem portray an authentic period piece experience.

Road To Empress is coming soon to PC, iOS, and Android devices, tentatively in August 2025 with 17 chapters for now. Feature list and trailer below:

Key Highlights

• Reviving Wu Zetian: Experience the rise of Wu Zetian from a low-ranking court figure to become the Empress of China, in a compelling narrative inspired by true events.
• Discover Yourself: Uncover a personalized psychological profile based on your in-game choices and over 100 branching storylines.
• Cinematic 4K Experience: Enjoy stunning ultra-HD 4K visuals and authentic period detail that bring the grandeur of the imperial palace to life.
• Global Language Support: Road to Empress will feature localized subtitles and menus in English, Japanese, Korean, Thai, and both Simplified and Traditional Chinese.