Xuan-Yuan Sword: The Clouds Faraway

Set in the historical Three Kingdoms era of ancient China, Xuan-Yuan Sword: The Clouds Faraway follows the young hero Xu Muyun, adopted and trained in swordsmanship by the kingdom of Wei alongside his childhood friends Renyin and Zhang Gao. As war erupts against the rival kingdom of Shu, Xu Muyun dutifully defends his homeland, but deepening conflicts reveal a more complex world, forcing him to confront tough choices that challenge his loyalties and reshape his understanding of duty and destiny in this turn-based fantasy RPG, which serves as a counterpart side-story to its predecessor, exploring events from Wei’s perspective.

Xuan-Yuan Sword: The Clouds Faraway: Review

Introduction

In the turbulent era of China’s Three Kingdoms, where loyalties fracture like brittle jade and the clash of swords echoes the cries of a divided empire, few games capture the human cost of war with such intimate tragedy as Xuan-Yuan Sword: The Clouds Faraway. As the tenth installment in Softstar Entertainment’s venerable Xuan-Yuan Sword series—a franchise that has woven Chinese mythology and history into interactive epics since the mid-1990s—this 2010 RPG stands as a poignant side-story, offering a mirror to its predecessor, The Cloud of Han. From the Wei kingdom’s vantage point, it subverts heroic tropes, forcing players to confront the moral quagmire of duty versus discovery. My thesis: The Clouds Faraway is a masterful, if understated, gem in the series, blending turn-based combat with profound narrative depth to illuminate war’s absurdity, cementing its place as an essential entry for fans of historical fantasy RPGs that prioritize emotional resonance over spectacle.

Development History & Context

Softstar Entertainment Inc., the Taiwanese powerhouse behind the Xuan-Yuan Sword series since its 1994 debut with Xuan Yuan Sword, has long been a cornerstone of East Asian gaming, particularly in blending wuxia folklore with RPG mechanics. Founded in 1993, Softstar specialized in PC titles that drew from Chinese classics like the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, filling a niche Western developers largely ignored. For The Clouds Faraway (known in Chinese as Xuanyuan Jian Waizhuan: Yun zhi Yao), development fell to DOMO Production (also credited as DOMO Studio), a subsidiary or collaborator under Softstar’s umbrella, with additional publishing support from Beijing Unistar Software Co., Ltd. Released on January 12, 2010, for Windows, it emerged from a creative vision to expand the Xuan-Yuan Sword V trilogy, specifically as the second “waizhuan” (side-story) following The Cloud of Han (2007).

The creators’ intent was clear: to humanize the antagonists of the prior game. While The Cloud of Han viewed the Three Kingdoms conflicts through the Shu Han lens—focusing on protagonists like Huangfu Zhaoyun—The Clouds Faraway flips the script, centering on Wei’s “Copper Sparrow Venerables” (a group of elite warriors). Director and writer (likely from Softstar’s narrative team, though specific credits are sparse) aimed to explore duality in historical events like Zhuge Liang’s Northern Expeditions, the Battle of Mount Qi, and the Battle of Wuzhang Plains, drawing from real figures such as Cao Rui, Zhang He, Xu Shu, Sima Yi, and Zhuge Liang. This wasn’t mere fan service; it was a deliberate commentary on wartime propaganda, reflecting Softstar’s ethos of using games to preserve and reinterpret cultural heritage.

Technological constraints of the late 2000s shaped its modest scope. Built on a custom engine akin to Xuan-Yuan Sword V‘s, the game targeted mid-range PCs with DirectX 7 compatibility, requiring just a 1.8 GHz processor, 512 MB RAM, and 2 GB storage—humble specs compared to contemporaries like Mass Effect 2 (2010), which demanded cutting-edge hardware for its cinematic flair. Visuals leaned on stylized 3D models and pre-rendered backgrounds to evoke ancient scrolls, avoiding the resource-intensive open worlds of Western RPGs like Dragon Age: Origins. The 2010 gaming landscape was dominated by the post-World of Warcraft MMO boom and the rise of accessible console RPGs (e.g., Final Fantasy XIII), but in Asia, single-player titles like this thrived on narrative depth amid piracy concerns and a PC-centric market. Softstar’s focus on Chinese-language exclusivity limited global reach, yet it allowed uncompromised storytelling, positioning the game as a cultural artifact in an era when localization budgets were tight for non-Japanese imports.

Narrative & Thematic Deep Dive

At its core, The Clouds Faraway is a tale of shattered illusions, set against the backdrop of the Three Kingdoms period (circa 220–280 CE), where the Han Empire’s fall births the rival states of Wei, Shu, and Wu. The protagonist, Xu Muyun (徐暮云), a洛阳 (Luoyang) youth adopted by the strategist Xu Shu and raised in Wei, embodies the series’ archetypal “Xuan-Yuan Sword reincarnate”—a destined hero wielding mythical blades tied to ancient lore. Trained in swordsmanship alongside childhood friends Lan Yin (蘭茵, a mute swordmaid lost to illness but bound by silent affection) and Zhang Gao (張誥, a loyal comrade-in-arms), Muyun vows to serve his mentor Zhang He and protect Wei from the “usurper” Shu Han. Their bond forms the emotional anchor: Muyun and Lan Yin’s unspoken love communicates through glances and gestures, a poetic motif underscoring themes of fractured communication in war.

Plot Analysis

The narrative unfolds linearly across key historical flashpoints, interweaving fact and fantasy. Muyun’s arc begins with patriotic fervor, enlisting in Wei’s campaigns against Shu, but escalates into personal turmoil upon discovering his true identity: he is the long-lost brother of The Cloud of Han‘s Huangfu Zhaoyun (朝云), separated by war’s chaos. This revelation peaks during the Battle of Wuzhang Plains, where Muyun, now the fearsome “White-Clothed Venerable” with unmatched sword aura, is tasked with assassinating Zhuge Liang—only to grapple with the chancellor’s humanity. The story’s counterpart structure to The Cloud of Han creates a diptych effect: events like Zhuge’s expeditions are reframed from Wei’s defensive paranoia, exposing propaganda’s veil. Choices, though not branching in a modern sense, influence dialogue and party dynamics, culminating in a bittersweet epiphany about war’s futility.

DLCs enrich this tapestry. The “Lan Yin Chapter” (蘭茵篇), a 16-hour expansion, delves into her backstory as Zhang He’s sword attendant, revealing a hidden pregnancy and Muyun’s presumed death, blending romance with tragedy. The “Wuzhang Plains Chapters” split into “Muyun Edition” and “Zhaoyun Edition,” offering dual perspectives on the plains’ siege—Muyun protects his “enemy” Zhuge out of reluctant honor, mirroring his brother’s parallel struggles. These add-ons, bundled in the 2023 Steam release, transform the game into a 40+ hour epic, with new scenes, skills, and characters like the adorable “Little Yellow Dragon” and “Duopeng.”

Characters and Dialogue

Muyun evolves from naive warrior to disillusioned sage, his internal monologues—delivered via evocative, poetic voiceovers—probing loyalty’s cost. Lan Yin, voiceless yet expressive, steals scenes through subtle animations, her arc a heartbreaking ode to unspoken devotion. Supporting cast, including historical avatars like the cunning Sima Yi and honorable Zhang He, avoid caricature; even antagonists like Zhuge earn sympathy, humanizing the “other side.” Dialogue, rich in classical Chinese idioms, crackles with wit and pathos—e.g., Muyun’s banter with Zhang Gao lightens dire sieges, while confrontations with Zhaoyun force raw admissions of brotherhood amid sword clashes. Subtle foreshadowing, like Muyun’s recurring dreams of divided clouds, ties personal fates to cosmic mythology.

Underlying Themes

Thematically, the game dissects war’s absurdity through a Mohist lens (from the series’ lore, emphasizing universal love over factionalism). Loyalty clashes with kinship, as Muyun’s Wei allegiance crumbles against familial bonds, echoing Romance of the Three Kingdoms‘ anti-war undertones. Friendship and romance provide respite, but tragedy underscores destiny’s cruelty—DLCs amplify this, portraying war as a “cloud faraway,” distant yet inescapable. Gender roles subtly challenge norms via Lan Yin’s agency, while mythology (e.g., Xuan-Yuan Sword artifacts) critiques blind nationalism, making The Clouds Faraway a profound meditation on identity in divided times.

Gameplay Mechanics & Systems

The Clouds Faraway adheres to the series’ turn-based RPG formula, refined from Xuan-Yuan Sword V, emphasizing strategic depth over action. Core loops revolve around exploration, combat, and fusion crafting, forming a satisfying rhythm that rewards patience and planning.

Core Gameplay Loops

Players navigate a semi-linear world via 3rd-person perspective, traversing historical locales like Luoyang and Wuzhang Plains through point-and-click interfaces. Quests drive progression: fetch missions evolve into moral dilemmas, such as choosing between Wei orders and personal ethics. Party management is key—up to four members (Muyun, Lan Yin, Zhang Gao, and recruits like Xu Shu) swap in battles, each with unique roles (e.g., Lan Yin’s support heals via gestures).

Combat System

Turn-based encounters use an innovative “action bar” mechanic, a timeline displaying queued moves for allies and foes, akin to Grandia‘s tempo system but simplified. Players select attacks, skills, or items, positioning for combos—e.g., Muyun’s sword auras chain into area blasts. A “battle recognition” system lets players scan and summon fused monsters (via the series’ hallmark item-monster fusion), adding tactical layers: fuse a demon with a sword for elemental buffs, or summon beasts for crowd control. Boss fights, especially “Demon King” stages, introduce puzzles, like timing dodges against Zhuge’s wooden oxen. Flaws emerge in pacing—random encounters can drag without auto-battle tweaks—and the UI’s dense menus (in Chinese only) frustrate non-speakers, though 2023 patches improved compatibility.

Character Progression and Innovative/Flawed Systems

Progression ties to a fusion forge: combine items, monsters, and artifacts to craft “divine weapons” with randomized stats, echoing Pokémon but for gear. Leveling grants skill trees—e.g., Muyun unlocks “cloud-stepping” dashes—while affinity systems boost party bonds for combo finishers. Innovations shine in DLC-exclusive mechanics, like Lan Yin’s “silent commands” for stealth sections. However, the system’s complexity borders on overwhelming; without English, tutorials feel opaque, and balance issues (overpowered fusions) can trivialize mid-game. UI is functional but dated—clunky inventories and no quick-save mar immersion—yet the depth fosters replayability for min-maxers.

World-Building, Art & Sound

The game’s world is a meticulously crafted tapestry of Three Kingdoms China, blending historical authenticity with Xuan-Yuan Sword‘s mythical flair. Settings evoke a war-torn yet poetic realm: Luoyang’s bustling markets contrast Wuzhang Plains’ foggy desolation, where siege engines loom like omens. Atmosphere builds through environmental storytelling—abandoned villages whisper of displaced families, reinforcing themes of loss. Mythology infuses reality: Xuan-Yuan artifacts summon ethereal guardians, turning battlefields into arenas of legend.

Visually, the 3D art direction adopts a stylized, ink-wash aesthetic—cel-shaded characters glide over hand-painted backdrops, evoking guohua paintings. Muyun’s flowing white robes and Lan Yin’s delicate animations convey grace amid chaos, with particle effects (e.g., swirling clouds in skills) adding flair. Constraints yield charm: low-poly models age gracefully on modern hardware, though pop-in and static camera angles occasionally disrupt flow. DLCs expand this with vibrant new maps, like Lan Yin’s intimate homesteads, enhancing immersion.

Sound design amplifies the mood. A orchestral score, blending erhu laments with thunderous drums, swells during charges, mirroring the era’s epic scope—composers draw from Romance of the Three Kingdoms motifs for nostalgia. Voice acting (Chinese-only) delivers nuanced performances: Muyun’s resolute tones crack with doubt, while ambient sounds (wind-swept plains, clanging swords) create a tactile battlefield. SFX for fusions—ethereal chimes—add wonder, though sparse voice lines limit emotional peaks. Collectively, these elements forge a contemplative atmosphere, making the world feel alive with history’s weight.

Reception & Legacy

Upon 2010 release, The Clouds Faraway garnered solid acclaim in Chinese markets, praised for narrative symmetry with The Cloud of Han but critiqued for familiar mechanics. Commercial success was modest—selling well domestically via Softstar’s channels, though piracy diluted figures—positioning it as a series staple rather than blockbuster. No aggregated critic scores emerged (MobyGames lists none), but player forums hailed the DLCs, especially “Lan Yin Chapter,” as “unmissable,” extending playtime and depth.

The 2023 Steam port, bundling all DLCs for $3.99 (often discounted to $1.60), revitalized interest: 70% positive from 173 reviews, lauded for story (70+ hours total) but dinged for language barriers (weird symbols on non-Chinese systems, fixed via locale tweaks). Reputation evolved from “niche sequel” to “hidden trilogy capstone,” influencing remasters like Xuan-Yuan Sword VII (2020), which adopted its emotional duality.

Its legacy ripples through Chinese RPGs, inspiring titles like Gujian 3 in exploring historical what-ifs. Globally, it underscores the Xuan-Yuan Sword series’ endurance—spanning 30+ years, 10+ main entries, and spin-offs—pioneering culturally rooted narratives predating Genshin Impact‘s mythos. Yet, localization absence hampers broader impact, a missed opportunity in an era of global indie revivals.

Conclusion

The Clouds Faraway distills the Xuan-Yuan Sword series’ strengths into a harrowing yet beautiful elegy for the Three Kingdoms, where turn-based tactics serve profound themes of loyalty, loss, and the folly of war. From DOMO Studio’s faithful execution to its evocative world and fusion-driven gameplay, it captivates despite technical humility and accessibility hurdles. While not revolutionary, its narrative innovations and DLC depth elevate it beyond genre peers. Verdict: Essential for RPG historians and series devotees, earning a resounding 8.5/10 and a firm place in video game history as a beacon of cultural storytelling—proof that even “side-stories” can reshape empires. If Softstar localizes future ports, it could finally claim the international audience it deserves.