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Road to Empress

Road to Empress Game Cover
95%Game Brain Score
story, humor
monetization, atmosphere
95% User Score Based on 899 reviews

Platforms

PCWindows
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Road to Empress Game Cover

About

Road to Empress is a single player casual role playing game. It was developed by New One Studio and was released on September 8, 2025. It received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

Road to Empress is a cinematic palace adventure blending live-action footage with interactive gameplay, where every choice deeply impacts the unfolding drama. Set in a richly detailed Eastern imperial court, players navigate intrigue, betrayal, and hidden secrets to rise from obscurity to power. With multiple story branches and high stakes, survival hinges on charm, wisdom, and courage.

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Road to Empress screenshot
Road to Empress screenshot
Road to Empress screenshot
Road to Empress screenshot
Road to Empress screenshot
Road to Empress screenshot
Road to Empress screenshot
Road to Empress screenshot
Road to Empress screenshot
Road to Empress screenshot
Road to Empress screenshot
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95%
Audience ScoreBased on 899 reviews
story142 positive mentions
monetization3 negative mentions
  • High production quality with stunning visuals, costumes, and set design that immerses players in the Tang Dynasty.
  • Engaging and humorous storyline with many unexpected twists, making it feel like an interactive C-drama.
  • The game allows for exploration of multiple endings, encouraging players to revisit choices and experience different outcomes.
  • Many choices lead to instant death, creating a sense of linearity and limiting the impact of player decisions.
  • The game ends on a cliffhanger, leaving players wanting more without a complete story arc.
  • Subtitles can be too fast at times, making it difficult for players to follow the dialogue.
  • story
    391 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story of "Road to Empress" is a captivating blend of historical drama and interactive storytelling, centered around the rise of Wu Zetian, China's only female emperor. While the production quality and acting are highly praised, many players note that the narrative is more linear than expected, with numerous choices leading to early deaths rather than significant branching paths. Despite this, the engaging plot, rich character development, and emotional depth keep players invested, leaving them eager for the continuation of the story in future installments.

    • “The plot is full of twists and turns, and every character feels so alive that you can’t help but immerse yourself and want to accompany them through every chapter of their journey.”
    • “Road to Empress is an unforgettable experience, one that combines stunning visuals and outstanding performances into a gripping story of palace intrigue that keeps you on edge with every plot twist.”
    • “The story is wonderful, with many twists and turns that keep you completely hooked.”
    • “For a 'choose your own adventure' story, it really feels like your choices don't actually affect the final outcome of the story... like, if you pick anything else you either die or end the game right then and there with some other ending.”
    • “The game markets itself as choice driven, but most decisions don’t change the story and usually just lead to a death screen, which can feel more like punishment than choices that actually affect the plot.”
    • “While it’s only part one of the story and leaves you wanting more, I can’t wait to see where it goes next.”
  • humor
    41 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is widely praised, with players finding it both funny and engaging, often laughing out loud at the absurdity of various scenarios and unexpected deaths. Many reviews highlight the blend of humor with compelling storytelling, where the frequent and often ridiculous ways to fail add to the overall enjoyment without feeling punitive. Overall, the game successfully balances humor with emotional depth, making for a memorable and entertaining experience.

    • “I found myself enraptured by the story at one moment and laughing out loud at the next.”
    • “The addition of humorous outcomes helps break up the story.”
    • “Some of the bad endings are so dramatically over-the-top it made me laugh.”
  • gameplay
    36 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of "Road to Empress" is primarily choice-based, offering around 6-8 hours of experience with limited freedom in decision-making, which some players find restrictive. While the production quality and cinematography are praised, the game suffers from typical issues of visual novels, such as unclear dialogue options and unnecessary mechanics like leaderboards. Despite these drawbacks, the impact of choices and the humor in frequent character deaths contribute to an engaging experience for fans of interactive storytelling and historical dramas.

    • “Gameplay was smooth and the production quality was outstanding.”
    • “What really stands out is the impact of your choices during the gameplay; they are not just for show!”
    • “Dying is a core part of the gameplay, as not only is it funny to see what happens and very easy to skip through scenes you've already seen, but you get to learn more about the thoughts and motivations of the other characters in reaction to your choices.”
    • “Given the amount of work in producing a live-action choice game and not a high price point, the railroading is fair, but the game probably could have done without this mechanic as it doesn't really seem to do anything.”
    • “In terms of gameplay, I would say that 'Road to Empress I' suffers from some of the typical issues of choice-based games - 'that is not what I thought that dialogue option meant' - and some less typical ones with regards to weird and unnecessary side features such as the 'leaderboard' and the style-incongruent 'trait sketch'.”
    • “While the gameplay is rather limited, it is basically branching dialogue and a few quick-time events; it is fun to explore the difficult outcomes.”
  • graphics
    33 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of the game have received widespread acclaim for their stunning visuals and beautiful aesthetics, with many reviewers highlighting the intricate artwork, vibrant character designs, and immersive environments. The combination of captivating visuals and engaging storytelling creates a compelling experience that enhances gameplay. Overall, players find the graphics to be a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's appeal.

    • “Gorgeous visuals, fascinating story, humorous moments, lots of collectible moments to unlock.”
    • “The ancient aesthetic is beautifully presented—from the grandeur of the palace scenes to the tender, intimate moments, it truly transports you into that era.”
    • “The execution is almost impeccable, the narrative is deeply captivating, and the visuals are outstanding.”
    • “I understand that circumstances arise, but I wish they could have just filmed the visuals, or hired a human artist.”
    • “Graphics and voicing are unreal for the price.”
    • “The graphics are incredibly realistic, and overall, it remains an enjoyable game to play.”
  • emotional
    29 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The emotional aspect of the game is highly praised, with players experiencing a wide range of feelings, from laughter to heartbreak, often leading to tears. The storytelling is described as immersive and compelling, featuring strong character development and impactful choices that enhance emotional investment. Overall, the game is celebrated for its ability to evoke deep emotional responses, making it a standout experience in the genre.

    • “It's like a beautiful, emotional movie.”
    • “The writers and actors deliver lots of drama that packs an emotional punch and I was fully sobbing at two particular storylines.”
    • “Made me laugh - made me cry... what more could you ask than to get fully emotionally wrapped up and invested in its characters.”
  • music
    26 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game is widely praised for its ability to enhance the atmosphere, fitting seamlessly with the narrative's emotional highs and lows. Reviewers highlight the soundtrack as immersive and well-composed, effectively complementing the story and character arcs, which adds depth to the overall experience. The attention to detail in the music, alongside strong performances and visuals, contributes to a captivating and engaging gameplay experience.

    • “The soundtrack is amazing and fits the mood perfectly, especially during tense and sad moments.”
    • “The music is just as impressive, with thematic tracks that perfectly match the mood and elevate each scene.”
    • “The production values match that ambition with strong performances, rich set design, and immersive music.”
    • “The music is on time all the time, the soundtrack is exciting and suitable to the different stages of the game.”
    • “The costumes, settings, and soundtrack are crafted with remarkable care and attention to detail.”
    • “The acting surpassed all my expectations and the soundtrack in this game is so well done.”
  • optimization
    20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, the optimization of the game is highly praised, with users reporting a smooth performance and no significant bugs or issues. The production quality, including visuals, set design, and costumes, enhances the immersive experience, while the strong performances from the cast contribute to the game's engaging storytelling. Players appreciate the seamless integration of these elements, making for an unforgettable experience.

    • “The production values match that ambition with strong performances, rich set design, and immersive music.”
    • “But seriously, the pricing is low (even lower with discount), and this game runs smoothly.”
    • “The performance, the writing, the UI, the community.”
    • “Also, I never experienced any bugs or performance issues.”
    • “Edit: wow, this is a fantastic game in a tragic Macbethian consequences kind of sense, not even taking in the exquisite performance of the actors!”
  • monetization
    12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The monetization in the game features optional microtransactions primarily for character popularity votes, which do not significantly impact gameplay or story progression. While there are some pop-up ads and potential locked content, most players find the monetization approach less predatory compared to typical mobile games, allowing for a largely uninterrupted gaming experience. Overall, the in-app purchases are seen as a minor aspect rather than a core component of the game.

    • “In this case, your purchase of the game provides you with unlimited access to all 16 chapters, and the only thing you can buy via in-app purchases are votes for the character popularity polls, so it's not as predatory as some other mobile story games.”
    • “Some microtransactions, but all easily ignorable.”
    • “There are also several pop-up ads for this game while you are already playing it.”
    • “There's a lot of odd in-game sense for microtransactions and in-game currency doing something for a purpose, but it's unclear what this is going to be or if they intend to put some of the progression behind paywalls or currency later.”
    • “While the game technically has in-app purchases, in practice, these are just a mechanic for fans to upvote/downvote individual characters for a global 'most liked/disliked' leaderboard, without providing additional content.”
  • atmosphere
    9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of the game is highly praised for its compelling blend of political drama and tension, enhanced by fitting music and impressive visuals. Reviewers note that the sense of danger and claustrophobia, coupled with an engaging story and character depth, immerses players in a captivating world where choices can lead to dire consequences. Overall, the atmosphere is described as a standout feature that keeps players engaged and on edge throughout the experience.

    • “The atmosphere is great, the music fits, and the whole thing feels like a mix of political drama and 'please don’t stab me today, thank you.'”
    • “The pacing, atmosphere, and tone are all spot-on, keeping you engaged from start to finish.”
    • “Yes, there are a lot of death scenes, but that's kind of expected from the genre, and adds nicely to the claustrophobic and dangerous atmosphere of the palace.”
    • “Her appearance made me feel the tense atmosphere in the process of the palace fight.”
    • “The atmosphere and the characters made me feel like I was inside that world.”
  • replayability
    6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game offers significant replayability, appealing to those who enjoy revisiting narratives, with a dynamic story and branching choices that enhance engagement. Players can expect around 7-10 hours for a basic playthrough, with additional content and scenarios that encourage multiple runs, making it a worthwhile experience for fans of interactive narratives.

    • “I would say the game is roughly 7-10 hours total just to beat it basic, then there's tons of mini stuff to do; replayability is huge.”
    • “Replayable too, if you are the sort of person that likes rewatching shows, rereading books, etc.”
    • “I would recommend this to anyone who wants something replayable while also having a very dynamic story that sets it apart from other FMVs and interactive narratives.”
    • “The branching, choose-your-own-adventure style keeps you guessing, giving the narrative genuine stakes and replay value.”
  • character development
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game features an engaging storyline with well-executed character development, particularly for the main character, enhanced by interactive choices and intriguing plot twists. Despite its low price point, it boasts impressive production values, though some players noted an incomplete ending. Overall, the character design and immersive setting contribute positively to the experience.

    • “This game has an amazing storyline, the perfect balance of interactive choose-your-path options, twists and turns, and character development.”
    • “For a $10 game, it has amazing production value and thrilling palace intrigue; the main character has good character development too. I'd say it's worth it if you don't mind an incomplete ending.”
    • “The set, outfit, and character design are so beautiful.”
  • grinding
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be a mixed experience; while some enjoy the humor and creativity in the scenarios, the necessity to replay full scenes for minor differences can become tedious and time-consuming. Overall, it requires a significant investment of time, which may detract from the enjoyment for some players.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “I had fun watching all the stupid ways I could die and the insanely contrived ways I would be framed for anything and everything; however, it gets a little tedious since you have to watch the full scene to properly unlock the ending, with some chapters having just a very slight difference in choices with the same end.”
  • stability
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Users report significant stability issues, noting that the section is plagued by bugs that prevent them from selecting options beyond the first one, regardless of their inputs.

    • “This section was very buggy, and I could only select the first options in the list regardless of what inputs I made.”
    • “The game crashes frequently, making it nearly impossible to progress.”
    • “I experienced constant lag and freezing, which ruined the overall experience.”
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7h Median play time
6h Average play time
6-8h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 4 analyzed playthroughs
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Frequently Asked Questions

Road to Empress is a casual role playing game.

Road to Empress is available on PC and Windows.

On average players spend around 6 hours playing Road to Empress.

Road to Empress was released on September 8, 2025.

Road to Empress was developed by New One Studio.

Road to Empress has received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its monetization.

Road to Empress is a single player game.

Similar games include Knowledge, or know Lady, 428: Shibuya Scramble, Five Hearts Under One Roof, Dispatch, Late Shift and others.