Sheena Dizon
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10 Popular Video Games in Chinese for a Chill Immersion Experience
Do you want a good Chinese review sesh where you don’t actually feel like you’re studying?
Then you need some 电子游戏 (diàn zǐ yóu xì) — video games in Chinese!
It’s amazing how much you can pick up when you’re gaming in another language.
Read on for 10 popular video games available with Mandarin Chinese audio, interface and subtitles.
Contents
- 1. “Borderlands 3”
- 2. “Cyberpunk 2077”
- 3. “Desperados III”
- 4. “Gwent”
- 5. “Jurassic World Evolution 2”
- 6. “Resident Evil 2” (Remake)
- 7. “Rise of the Tomb Raider”
- 8. “The Talos Principle”
- 9. “Thronebreaker: The Witcher Tales”
- 10. “Total War: Three Kingdoms”
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1. “Borderlands 3”
Categories: Action, looter shooter, online co-op, RPG
Available on: Amazon (Xbox One), Amazon (PS4), Steam
Chinese Language Support: Full Mandarin audio, interface and subtitles in Simplified or Traditional Chinese
Similar to the first two games, “Borderlands 3” follows a new set of Vault Hunters, four mercenaries who have been hired by the Crimson Raiders of Pandora for a special mission.
With a huge cult following backing them, twins Troy and Tyreen Calypso are attempting to harness the ultimate power of the galaxy: the power of the Vaults. It’s up to you and the rest of the ruthless, mayhem-seeking Vault Hunters to prevent the world from descending into total chaos.
Just remember to pack a lot of heat and pick up some loot along the way!
2. “Cyberpunk 2077”
Categories: Cyberpunk, futuristic sci-fi, open world, RPG
Available on: Amazon (PS4) | Steam
Chinese Language Support: Full Mandarin audio, interface and subtitles in Simplified Chinese
Imagine fighting for your life with Keanu Reeves by your side.
The game takes place in the dystopian Night City—a megalopolis obsessed with glitz, glamour and body modification with illegal tech. The game begins a few years after a nuclear attack and you play as the cyber-human mercenary V who’s on a mission to find the chip implant for immortality.
As you explore Night City, you’ll meet Johnny Silverhand (Reeves), a radical figure who also happens to be the front man of a punk rock band called “Samurai.”
Although Johnny isn’t completely thrilled about becoming your sidekick, he’s the partner-in-crime you’ll need to survive all the physical and psychological threats of Night City.
3. “Desperados III”
Categories: Real-time tactics, stealth, strategy, Western
Available on: Amazon (Xbox One) | GOG | Steam
Chinese Language Support: Full Mandarin audio, interface and subtitles in Simplified Chinese
The first game in the trilogy was the first of its kind, putting real-time tactics in a movie-based atmosphere, specifically the Wild Wild West.
Although this is the third game in the series, “Desperados III” is actually a prequel to “Desperados: Wanted Dead or Alive.” John Cooper is the protagonist of the series, and the third installment shows how he comes to be the gunslinging hero and natural-born leader he’s known as in the first two games.
John Cooper is one of five playable characters in the game. “Desperados III” is a game of strategy, so you’ll have to think ahead and play to each of the characters’ strengths in order to survive Cooper’s quest for redemption.
4. “Gwent”
Categories: Card game, PvP, RPG, strategy
Chinese Language Support: Full Mandarin audio, interface and subtitles in Simplified Chinese
“Gwent” is the playable card game from “The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt” and is now also available as a free game on PC.
Start off by choosing between four factions, each led by iconic characters in The Witcher universe. From there, you select your army, choosing between cards with varying levels of power. Select at least 25 cards within the recruitment cap and you’ll be ready to battle it out with other players.
The fast-paced game plays out over three rounds. The goal is to score higher than your opponent in each round by deceiving and outsmarting the enemy army. To win the battle, you must win at least two out of three rounds.
5. “Jurassic World Evolution 2”
Categories: Building, dinosaurs, sci-fi, simulation, strategy
Available on: Amazon (PS5) | Steam
Chinese Language Support: Full Mandarin audio, interface and subtitles in Simplified or Traditional Chinese
Jurassic World Evolution 2 takes place in the aftermath of “Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom,” where wild dinosaurs are roaming freely across the US. Join old and new characters from the franchise, such as the iconic Dr. Ian Malcom (Jeff Goldblum) and feminist hero Claire Dearing (Bryce Dallas Howard), to save and contain these once extinct creatures.
If you’re interested in the first game, “Jurassic World Evolution” also contains Chinese language support. Just be aware that it doesn’t come with any subtitles and it might be difficult for Mandarin beginners and intermediates. Although you’re welcome to try if you’re up for the challenge!
6. “Resident Evil 2” (Remake)
Categories: Survival horror, zombies
Available on: Amazon (PS4), Steam
Chinese Language Support: Full Mandarin audio, interface and subtitles in Simplified or Traditional Chinese
Do you have quick reflexes and enjoy shooting zombies? Then the remastered HD version of “Resident Evil 2” is the game for you.
It’s September 1998 in Raccoon City, a couple of months following the events of the first game. The city is running rampant with the undead. You get a choice of playing rookie police officer Leon Kennedy or college student Claire Redfield, both of whom have to work together in order to survive the zombie outbreak.
If you make it out alive, you can also check out the “Resident Evil 3” remake since that’s also equipped with Mandarin language options.
7. “Rise of the Tomb Raider”
Categories: Action, adventure, female protagonist, story-rich
Available on: Amazon (PS4), Amazon (Xbox One), Steam
Chinese Language Support: Full Mandarin audio, interface and subtitles in Simplified or Traditional Chinese
“Rise of the Tomb Raider” is a sequel to the 2013 “Tomb Raider” game. It continues Lara Croft’s origin story, taking her on her first-ever tomb raid in the middle of Siberia, specifically in the Lost City of Kitezh.
Paramilitary organizations aren’t the only enemies to contend with on this expedition. Playing as Lara, you’ll also have to survive the harsh Siberian environment and other hostile ecosystems by hunting animals, forging weapons and dodging enemy encounters.
Can’t get enough of Lara? Let her teach you more Chinese through “Shadow of the Tomb Raider.”
8. “The Talos Principle”
Categories: First-person, indie, philosophical, puzzle, sci-fi
Available on: Amazon (PS4), GOG, Steam
Chinese Language Support: Full Mandarin audio, interface and subtitles in Simplified or Traditional Chinese
Are all these games with guns, war and zombies a bit too much for you? If you think you’d like to try something a bit more calm and cerebral, then you might enjoy “The Talos Principle.”
In “The Talos Principle,” you wake up and find yourself in a world of advanced technology among ancient ruins. As you extend your robot fingers in front of you, you realize that you aren’t actually human. Your creator then tasks you with tons of puzzles, but you can’t help but have an existential crisis. You start wondering who you are and what your purpose is, along with other philosophical questions.
Basically, if you like solving puzzles and exploring the metaphysical, this game is made for you.
9. “Thronebreaker: The Witcher Tales”
Categories: Adventure, card game, RPG, story-rich
Chinese Language Support: Full Mandarin audio, interface and subtitles in Simplified or Traditional Chinese
We’re back in “The Witcher” universe with a new story focusing on Meve, the war-veteran Queen of Lyria and Rivia of the Northern Realms.
After threats of an invasion from the Nilfgaardian Empire, Meve has no choice but to ready herself for war, traveling across and exploring new lands, recruiting new units and battling it out with enemy forces. You’ll also encounter other quests along the way, including finding treasures hidden in ancient ruins and saving a village from monsters.
“Thronebreaker” is a narrative-driven explorative game combined with the same mechanics as “Gwent.”
10. “Total War: Three Kingdoms”
Categories: Historical, turn-based strategy, war
Available on: Steam
Chinese Language Support: Full Mandarin audio, interface and subtitles in Simplified or Traditional Chinese
Out of the 14 “Total War” games and additional mobile spin-offs, “Three Kingdoms” has been rated among one of the best in the series. It’s got that classic setup of strategy, resource management and battle tactics control, with one of China’s most revered national stories woven into the game.
“The Total War: Three Kingdoms” takes you back to the Han Dynasty in Ancient China. The country is fractured and in desperate need of a new emperor to unite the warring states. Choose a warlord to play and recruit heroes to help usher in a new dynasty under your rule.
You’re probably already familiar with some of these games, but never really thought to change the language settings. Well, better late than never, and now you have an excuse for all those late-night “review sessions.”
And if you like using entertaining content to study Chinese, then FluentU might be a good resource to check out after you’ve finished your gaming sesh.
Happy gaming—I mean, learning!