As far as Obsidian games go, where Tides of Numenara failed to come together for me, this one worked.
Try to forgive the opening sequence with the mines and the obtuse story introduction, and you'll find something great here.
It has some modern functionality issues, but if you're looking for a Chinese warring kingdoms era game from a specific time in RPG creation, this is what you want. This is the closest you'll get to Daoist Baldur's Gate.
A narrative experience that balances combat setpieces and storytelling flair that probably established the DNA of many modern horror and action games. It's wonderful and still holds up today. There's a reason it's in the Good Old Games library.
If you played it twenty years ago, odds are you remember it being solid and interesting. It still is. It isn't much like the original, but that also isn't the point of the experience. Try it out and enjoy the impossible attempt to make a sequel to one of the most original and respected works in gaming.
People were given the expectation that this would be something like Planescape: Torment, but that is a creation and an experience that can happen only once. Taken on its own terms, this is a great game, full of heart and obvious craftsmanship. You will only be disappointed if you go in expecting a recreation of what you saw in 1999.
The writing, game mechanics, and overall setting and worldbuilding are wonderful. It's a tragedy that this wasn't better received in its time. You won't regret trying this.
It would be as fun and impactful for a young person now in 2025 just as it was in 1996. A timeless experience.
If you're looking for something like Fallout in the current year, that also happens to get everything right, this is your game.
