Genigods Lab has officially announced their latest project, Genigods: Nezha, a single-player action role-playing game currently in development. Built using Unreal Engine 5, the title is being optimised for PlayStation 5 in collaboration with Sony Interactive Entertainment and is scheduled to launch on both PlayStation 5 and PC platforms in 2028.
Genigods: Nezha is pitched as a “premium, pay upfront, hardcore action role-playing game” within the context of ancient Chinese genesis mythology. Players assume the role of the Spirit Pearl, the initial spark of life created by the Goddess of Life, Nüwa. The narrative follows a specific evolution for the protagonist. Starting as a celestial artifact, the character transforms into the first human (a woman created from water and clay) before eventually being reborn as the deity Nezha.
Throughout this journey, players are accompanied by other figures from mythology, including Yi, known as the sun-feller, and Yu, the flood-tamer. A sentient entity known as the Heart of Sacred Water also accompanies the player. This gift from Nüwa evolves alongside the protagonist and serves as a tool for solving puzzles and navigating challenges within the game world.
Erdi Yao, co-founder and Head of Creative & Design at Genigods Lab, provided a statement regarding the studio’s vision for the game and the agency players will have within the story:
Our mission is to ignite the epic celestial battles of Chinese mythology. In Genigods: Nezha, every skill you cast, every choice you make, writes a new line in an ancient epic—forged in your image. Players will wield the heart of creation, soar between realms, awaken the three-headed and eight-armed form, and step onto the primordial battlefield to mend the shattered heavens. This is not about hearing a story; it is about etching your name into its very fabric.
The combat system in Genigods: Nezha draws inspiration from Bruce Lee’s “Be Water” philosophy and Jeet Kune Do. The developers have designed a system that prioritizes a defensive and reactive playstyle, requiring players to time their parries and counters precisely. Specific techniques include condensing water into a “One-Inch Flash” for breaking enemy armor, or releasing it as a “Dragon’s Kick” to manage groups of adversaries.
Traversal and scale are also central elements of the gameplay loop. Players will encounter colossal gods and navigate the environment by climbing their bodies. The game features the Sun Tree, a structure bridging the mortal and celestial realms, which players ascend with the assistance of the giant Kuafu.
Combat encounters allow for switching between ground and aerial stances. Players can utilize mythic abilities for mid-air strikes and combine discovered treasures to formulate unique skills.
