Jiangshi x Daoshi
- July 15, 2020
- Dendo Denkido
Get on Steam"Jiangshi x Daoshi" is a Chinese vampire-themed visual novel, following the story of an ex-assassin Luan and a dao priest Ling Ling. The game features animated action sequences, blood and gore, and humor. It includes two episodes: "Boy Meets Girl" and "The Fable of the Fake Elixir of Life," and is not for the faint of heart.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- High-quality visuals and animations that enhance the storytelling experience.
- Engaging story that combines elements of Chinese folklore with humor and dark themes.
- Free-to-play model with easy achievements, making it accessible for a wide audience.
- Lacks meaningful player choices, making it feel more like a story than a game.
- Some content may be uncomfortable for players due to themes of violence and sexual undertones.
- Initial complexity in game mechanics may deter some players from fully engaging.
- story50 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 54 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The story of the game is a vibrant blend of Chinese mythology and folklore, featuring a mix of humor, dark themes, and engaging character dynamics. While the narrative is generally well-received for its creativity and pacing, some players note that character depth develops slowly, particularly in later chapters. Overall, it offers a unique and entertaining experience, though it lacks player choices, resulting in a linear storytelling format.
“Jiangshi x Daoshi boasts a rich story packed with fantastic Chinese mythology and historical information, with a wholesome dynamic between the main characters.”
“The story is based on Chinese folklore, so it's quite interesting.”
“The story's a lot of fun, filled with a colorful cast and incredibly enjoyable writing that moves at a fantastic pace.”
“There are no choices in this 'game', it's just reading a weak story.”
“It's a shame as this could be a good game if it was focused more on Chinese folklore, storytelling, and choices, instead of disgusting loli stuff.”
“The plot is lightweight and calvinball-esque (made up as it goes along), but is sprinkled with historical facts and strange asides like a Palahniuk novel and you might even learn something.”
- music26 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its catchy and nostalgic 90s style, enhancing the overall experience with a blend of humor and emotional depth. While most tracks are well-received, some players noted that a few songs didn't quite fit the game's tone. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature, with many players expressing a desire for a soundtrack DLC or song list to revisit their favorite tracks.
“Oozes so much soul with the cut-ins, loved all the jokes hidden in the background, soundtrack is a banger.”
“The characters look cute and have lots of depth which had a nicely executed representation, the soundtrack pleased my ears and matches the sceneries quite well.”
“The music slaps and the cinematic is the cherry on top.”
“The music doesn't suit it sometimes and confused me a bit, but it's great otherwise; I would recommend it.”
“Despite the violent concepts within the game, it isn't visually or verbally graphic, and tension is balanced out by the soothing nostalgic 90s style art and music.”
“Imagine Persona 5 without you having to play it - this 'game' is pretty much like that in terms of music, style, and animation.”
- graphics17 mentions
- 47 % positive mentions
- 35 % neutral mentions
- 18 % negative mentions
The graphics of the visual novel are highly praised for their exceptional quality and nostalgic anime aesthetic reminiscent of the 2000s, featuring beautiful animations and a cutesy art style. Despite the game's violent themes, the visuals maintain a balance with soothing elements, making the overall presentation enjoyable and engaging. Players are particularly impressed by the high production value, which stands out for a kinetic novel, enhancing the storytelling experience.
“The visual style, quality of graphics and animation is on another level, completely unexpected for almost free visual novel.”
“Very good visual presentation throughout the whole two-hour read, soaking in the fun, beautiful, and hectic visuals & animations.”
“Jiangshi x daoshi has a surprisingly high quality for a kinetic novel; I've been blown away by the graphics and animations while playing!”
“Despite the violent concepts within the game, it isn't visually or verbally graphic, and tension is balanced out by the soothing nostalgic 90s style art and music.”
“Graphics are also cute.”
“This VN has a cutesy art style and the story is informative and intriguing relating to Chinese folklore and legend, which piqued my interest with a bit of humor and randomness added in to make it more unique in my opinion compared to other VNs.”
- humor13 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by a blend of dark and slapstick elements, with memorable characters and dynamic animations that enhance the comedic experience. Players appreciate the mix of randomness and cultural references, which contribute to a unique and engaging narrative. Overall, the humor is described as impactful and well-integrated with the storyline, making it a standout feature of the visual novel.
“The characters are funny, interesting, and memorable.”
“Jiangshi x doushi chapters one and two were a surprise release from Fruitbat Factory, but one that instantly won me over: the visual novel combined slapstick humor, a meta presentation packed with parodies, a banging soundtrack, and an unusual amount of animation for a visual novel, into something that stood apart from most traditional visual novels.”
“It's funny, impactful, and has a good mix of action and humor, along with awesome music!”
- emotional3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Jiangshi x daoshi features a compelling narrative steeped in Chinese mythology, complemented by a wholesome dynamic between the main characters. While some may question the nature of their relationship, it is generally perceived as platonic, contributing to the game's unique blend of action and emotional depth. The combination of fast-paced gameplay and rich storytelling creates a calming yet engaging experience.
“Jiangshi x Daoshi boasts a rich story packed with fantastic Chinese mythology and historical information, with a wholesome dynamic between the main characters.”
“Some players might have reservations about the relationship of the main characters, but as far as I'm concerned, it's platonic and has a wholesome vibe to it.”
“This game is action-packed yet calming, violent but with wholesome dynamics, fast-paced and filled with information on Chinese mythology and alchemy.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players generally find the grinding in the game worthwhile, particularly for the achievements, as it adds a sense of accomplishment and progression. However, some may feel that the grind can be tedious at times, depending on the specific tasks required. Overall, the consensus leans towards a positive view of grinding when it contributes to meaningful rewards.
“The grinding feels endless and tedious, making it hard to stay engaged with the game.”
“I spent hours grinding for resources, only to realize it was all for a minor upgrade.”
“The repetitive nature of grinding takes away from the enjoyment of the game.”
