Chinese Online Game (2024)

Developer: 648工作室
Publisher: Wise Games
Platforms: Windows
Genres: Indie, RPG, Simulation
Rating: 4.3 of 5, 10,360 player ratings
Typical playtime: about 7.4 hours
Where to get it: Steam

The 3D catalog: game boxes on wooden shelves, with the cat sitting at the counter next to its greeting.

The catalog in 3D

The same catalog has a room you can walk around in. The cat behind the counter is the AI Catbot, and they pick real games from it when you tell them what you feel like playing. Nothing is for sale, here or in there. Go in from here and this game is already out on the counter, with more like it waiting on the shelf next to it.

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How it feels

A satirical single-player RPG that recreates the pay-to-win feel of early Chinese online games with fake microtransactions and no real money involved.

satiricalcasualnostalgicsingle-playerretrolightheartedgrindyexperimental

What players say

Players see this as a single-player satire of predatory Chinese MMO monetization, specifically the "Legend" (传奇) genre. It simulates the cycle of grinding and paying to win, with multiple endings depending on how much you spend or resist. Many mention the lottery mini-game as addictive, and opinions split on whether the repetition is purposeful satire or just boring. A rare bug can wipe progress.

Screenshots

More games like this

This page is from Underplayed Gems, a catalog of older and overlooked games. Not quite it? You can browse by platform and genre, or take this one into the 3D catalog and ask the Catbot for something closer.