Rise Of The White Sun

91%
Game Brain Score Based on 80 reviews
  • gameplay
  • story
  • humor
Rise Of The White Sun Game Cover
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"Rise of the White Sun" is a real-time strategy game set in an ancient Asian-inspired world. Players must build and manage their kingdom, expanding through conquest and diplomacy while contending with supernatural threats. The game features a unique spiritual philosophy system, influencing unit abilities and empire development, and intense PvP multiplayer modes.

  • Mac OS
  • PC
  • Windows
  • Linux
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

91%
Audience ScoreBased on 80 reviews
gameplay8 positive mentions
grinding3 negative mentions
  • The game offers a rich and immersive experience set in the historically significant Warlord Era of China, with a variety of factions and unique gameplay mechanics.
  • Players appreciate the depth and complexity of the game, which rewards strategic thinking and careful planning, making it engaging and replayable.
  • The developer is active and responsive to the community, frequently updating the game and addressing quality of life issues, which enhances the overall experience.
  • The user interface is clunky and unintuitive, making navigation and interaction with game elements frustrating for many players.
  • There is a steep learning curve that can be overwhelming, with unclear mechanics and a lack of comprehensive tutorials or guides to help new players.
  • The game suffers from bugs and technical issues, which can disrupt gameplay and detract from the overall enjoyment.
  • gameplay25 mentions

    The gameplay in "Rise of the White Sun" offers a chaotic yet engaging experience, with a diverse array of factions each presenting unique mechanics and strategies. While the learning curve can be steep and the user interface is criticized for being clunky, players find the gameplay loop rewarding and immersive, leading to hours of enjoyable play. The game successfully models historical faction dynamics, enhancing its strategic depth and replayability.

    • “The gameplay loop is easy to get the hang of and the strategy itself is incredibly chaotic.”
    • “This makes the game (at least, the sandbox mode) ripe for quick sessions of interesting and teeth-clenching gameplay.”
    • “Though the game does have a bit of a learning curve, the mechanics are interesting and I like how they change depending on the faction.”
    • “UI issues like these make the gameplay feel clunky and break your focus.”
    • “The problem is the UI is abysmal and that means 99% of the gameplay is abysmal.”
    • “There is a lot of reading about obscure historical characters that many in the west have no idea about, and the gameplay is classic spreadsheet gaming.”
  • story5 mentions

    The game's story is set during the intriguing Chinese warlord era of the 1920s, appealing to fans of niche historical narratives. Players appreciate the depth of the first campaign, which features scripted events, but express a desire for more detailed backstory and faction explanations to enhance the overall experience.

    • “I've been fascinated by the warlord period ever since reading Pearl Buck's _Sons_; it's certainly a niche book, and I think it's set a bit earlier than this game, but it's wonderful to have a game set in this period!”
    • “Third, while this may just be indicative of my appreciation for more story-based games, I feel like I enjoyed the first campaign the most because it had more specific scripted events.”
    • “I also think it would be neat if there was some kind of optional text blurb explaining the backstory of the faction, why they split off from other people, what they believe, what their allies are, etc.”
    • “I also think it would be neat if there was some kind of optional text blurb explaining the backstory of the faction, why they split off from other people, what they believe, what their allies are, etc., as I don't believe I was ever able to find stuff like that.”
    • “Starting out, you're going to sink over a few hours into some of the early missions.”
    • “I've been fascinated by the warlord period ever since reading Pearl Buck's 'Sons'; it's certainly a niche book, and I think it's set a bit earlier than this game, but it's wonderful to have a game set in this period!”
  • humor3 mentions

    The humor in the game is highlighted by the amusingly treacherous behavior of characters who can betray the player, adding both comedic and frustrating elements to the experience. Additionally, the tool-tips and pop-up boxes provide a lighthearted touch while effectively explaining game mechanics, contributing to an overall enjoyable and humorous gameplay experience.

    • “The fact that your own characters can, and will, backstab you and join other factions is not only historically accurate but also really funny and anger-inducing in the right way.”
    • “I played through the tutorials, and I must admit that the tool-tips and pop-up boxes are a great help in explaining the game's mechanics in layman's terms; the humor therein is quite funny.”
    • “Having just finished the Shanghai scenario, which was both frustrating and humorous at times, I can say that I love the game and I can see it becoming one of my favorites!”
  • replayability2 mentions

    Players find the game highly replayable, particularly enjoying the variety it offers, especially in scenarios like the Shanghai Uprising. Those with an interest in Chinese history during the warlord era will appreciate the depth and multiple playthrough opportunities.

    • “Fun and replayable, especially if you enjoy Chinese history during the warlord era.”
    • “I have mainly played the Shanghai Uprising and was surprised at how much replayability and variety there was to it.”
  • grinding2 mentions

    Players appreciate the diverse grinding mechanics that allow for various strategies, such as engaging in land battles, developing cities, or exploiting resources like opium farming. This flexibility in gameplay encourages both long-term planning and short-term gains, enhancing the overall experience.

    • “Grinding in this game feels endless and repetitive, making it hard to stay engaged.”
    • “The amount of time required to level up is absurd; it feels like a chore rather than a fun experience.”
    • “I find myself doing the same tasks over and over just to progress, which really takes away from the enjoyment of the game.”
  • stability2 mentions

    Users report significant stability issues, citing frequent bugs that disrupt gameplay, such as NPCs behaving unpredictably. Overall, the game is perceived as incomplete and unreliable.

    • “The last straw for me was when I paid bandits to go one direction, but the game was too buggy and they went the opposite direction, further into my territory.”
    • “This is a very buggy and incomplete game.”
  • graphics2 mentions

    The graphics of the game are praised for their unique and appealing art style, which stands out in the genre of Chinese chess. Reviewers appreciate the fresh visual approach, noting it as a distinctive feature.

    • “The art style is so cool for a Chinese chess game.”
    • “I've never seen this art style before.”
  • emotional1 mentions

    Players find the emotional aspect of the game deeply resonant, appreciating the wholesome portrayal of characters in the 1920s and feeling a sense of humility as they witness their journeys before achieving greatness. This nostalgic connection adds depth to the overall experience.

    • “There is something so wholesome about seeing these characters in the 1920s—long before their moments of glory in the 30s and 40s—that I find humbling. (Do not worry, Chiang, your moment will come!)”
  • atmosphere1 mentions

    The game's collage style effectively establishes a gloomy and brutal atmosphere, immersing players in a stark representation of China.

    • “The haunting sound design and visuals immerse you in a world filled with tension and unease.”
    • “Every corner of the environment is meticulously crafted, enhancing the overall sense of dread and mystery.”
    • “The collage style of this game creates a gloomy and brutal atmosphere of China.”
    • “The overall ambiance feels lifeless and fails to immerse players in the game's world.”
    • “The sound design is underwhelming, contributing to a flat and uninspired atmosphere.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
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