Suzhou-based Chinese studio Genigods Lab has announced GeniGods: Nezha, a new single player action RPG with clear and obvious God of War inspirations.
According to the press release – and a behind closed doors presentation, attended by Push Square – the game will be built in Unreal Engine 5 and will be “optimised for PlayStation platforms in collaboration with Sony”.
Specifically, co-founders Erdi Yao and Young Lui told us as part of a roundtable interview that a playable PS5 Pro build has already been submitted to PlayStation China, and the title is taking full advantage of all the format’s bells-and-whistles – including the DualSense, and its tactile flourishes.
It’ll also launch on PC.
GeniGods: Nezha is steeped in Chinese mythology, as you assume the role of the titular deity, represented here as a hardened female warrior.
The blurb explains:
“In this epic journey, you will evolve from a celestial artifact into the first human, a woman crafted from water and clay, before eventually being reborn as the legendary Nezha. Your journey is shared by legendary heroes: Yi, the sun-feller, and Yu, the flood-tamer. Beside you also dwells the Heart of Sacred Water – Nüwa’s sentient gift that grows with you, serving as your vital companion to solve ancient puzzles, conquer the toughest trials and learn the dark truth behind this new world.”
It’s important to stress outright that this is not a Soulslike: the combat is fast and fluid, and according to the studio, the closest point of comparison is God of War 3.
This is particularly evident from the larger-than-life boss battles, which will flow “seamlessly between heaven and earth”, according to the developer.
In pursuit of a kind of ancient Chinese alternative to the Infinity Stones, you’ll be able to tackle bosses in any order you like, a la Mega Man. The game will be structured in such a way where you’ll spend downtime in a hub-like area, completing side-missions and upgrading your abilities.
And, just to be clear, while Genigods Lab’s most famous game is a mobile My Hero Academia tie-in for Sony’s Crunchyroll, this will be a proper, traditional single player adventure with no gacha mechanics or live service elements. The team estimates it’ll take about 25 hours to complete, and around 50 hours to Platinum.
Which brings us perhaps to the kicker: with two years of development already under its belt, the team’s not expecting this effort to release until 2028. That means, while it’s planning for PS5 alongside PC right now, it could ultimately end up being a PS6 game as well.
Still, with Sony’s involvement and the God of War influences on display, this will definitely be one to keep an eye on.
