GeniGods: Nezha Revealed For PS5 and PC, China’s Answer to God of War

You may think it too early to dedicate your attention to video games that remain several years away, but I’d urge you not to overlook GeniGods: Nezha - an upcoming AA action-adventure that pitches itself as China’s answer to God of War.

I recently had the opportunity to virtually sit down with Genigods Labs’ co-founder and creative director Erdi Yao and founder and technical expert Young Lui. They guided me through an in-depth look at the game - and while the studio may have enormous ambitions for the title, I do get the impression that GeniGods: Nezha could deliver. You may not be familiar with Genigods Labs, and that’s because GeniGods: Nezha is the first title the acclaimed Chinese studio is bringing to the West, with significant investment and backing from Sony. Emboldened by the success of Game Science’s Black Myth: Wukong, another Chinese studio, Genigods Labs is hoping to have produced the next major hit from the region. While God of War 3 was cited as the game’s most prominent inspiration, GeniGods: Nezha also takes inspiration from Elden Ring, Nioh, and Devil May Cry.

Based Upon The Chinese Genesis Myth

It’s based upon a famous Chinese myth, one of the only famous myths not to be referenced in the aforementioned Black Myth: Wukong.

Players step into the shoes of the Spirit Pearl, “the very first spark of life forged by Nüwa, the Goddess of Life, from the essence of earth, water, and fire”, says a press release.

“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.”

The player is accompanied by Yi, the sun-feller, and Yu, the flood-tamer, and also boasts the power of 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”.

As I’ve mentioned Black Myth: Wukong, I’m sure you’re wondering whether GeniGods: Nezha is a title for the souslike fans amongst you. The devs assure me that it’s far more in line with the action-adventure genre, featuring difficulty options so it’s of appeal to all, although you can certainly up the challenge should you wish. GeniGods: Nezha isn’t entirely open world, instead functioning as a linear story with hubs players can freely explore.

GeniGods: Nezha, Credit / Genigods Labs

Your goal is to stop Pangu’s return, a fellow who’s formed into a planet. From what I could gather, each section of the game is set on another part of the planet and therefore a different part of Pangu’s body. His giant stone limbs make for a desolate and challenging landscape. GeniGods: Nezha certainly appears to value boss fights in its formula, but it’s not all that players will tackle. I was told there is optional side content too, environmental puzzles, and narrative crossroads.

25 Hours For The Main Story, 50 Hours For Completionists

I can’t at this stage say that I’ve seen any of that in action. I can, however, offer that GeniGods: Nezha is targeting a 25 hour runtime, and features over 60 enemy types and 10 zones to explore. The game also boasts three endings, so that adds a nice sense of replayability.

I was told that throughout the game, you’ll encounter three different schools of thought. Each group will have its own idea of how to save the world and it’s up to you to choose who you’ll side with, determining both the game’s ending and also what weapons, areas, and relics you’ll unlock as you do so. While I didn’t see any side content in action, Erdi and Young explained that obtaining the game’s platinum trophy could take up to 50 hours, so you’re looking at double the runtime if you want to see everything that GeniGods: Nezha has to offer.

What I did get an in-depth look at is combat. I’ll preface this by saying that while GeniGods: Nezha is two years into its development cycle, it’s also potentially two years away from launch. Even still, the game’s combat system looks both clean and unique already at this early stage. Devs explained that GeniGods: Nezha takes inspiration from the fighting genre so there’s an aerial element to combat encounters. Players will chip away at an enemy’s defences on the ground before the aerial phase is unlocked where you can deliver your final blows.

It was teased that there are three key weapon types, although I don’t know what those are at this stage, with the player also able to unlock a ‘God of Destruction’ power-up which sounds a lot like God of War’s Spartan Rage. Much was said of relics though, which offer similar unique skills and buffs. One was highlighted as offering Iron Man-like powers, whilst another activated something that acts similarly to God of War’s Blades of Chaos. With this in mind, it does sound as if GeniGods: Nezha’s combat suits a variety of playstyles.

The Linear Game Is Being Built In Unreal Engine 5

The game is being developed in Unreal Engine 5, and Erdi and Young confirmed that GeniGods: Nezha’s world will feature a day and night cycle as well as a weather cycle that’ll feature unique events like sandstorms and hailstorms. You may also recall that I mentioned the title was being backed by Sony, so GeniGods: Nezha is set to be optimised for PlayStation 5 Pro and feature DualSense haptic feedback. It’ll launch on both PlayStation 5 and PC, with other platforms under consideration.

GeniGods: Nezha, Credit / Genigods Labs

As I’ve alluded to, it’s still relatively early days for GeniGods: Nezha. I’ve heard far more about the ambitious title than I’ve seen in action so I won’t commit myself to too strong an appraisal. I cannot deny though that GeniGods: Nezha has left me impressed, and I’m sure that the title will find a loyal legion of fans when Genigods Labs makes its Western debut. For my own tastes, I’d like to see a little more confirmation that the title isn’t too boss fight heavy in practice, but I’ve certainly been taken in by GeniGods: Nezha’s world building and combat system.

It’s most definitely one to watch in the years ahead.