* Developer: Nine Circle
* Platform: PC (Steam)
* Scheduled for release: Q2 2026
* Genre: Classic RPG
In March 1998, “The War of Genesis Side Story: The West Wind’s Rhapsody” secured a special place in Korean gaming history. Set 50 years after the War of Genesis, this game, depicting Cyrano Bernstein’s revenge story, left a deep impression on gamers with its high-quality graphics for its time, its gothic 18th-century European atmosphere, and its polished narrative.
However, it did not become a popular craze due to the popularity of online games such as ‘Starcraft’, ‘Lineage’, and ‘The Kingdom of the Winds’ that emerged due to the internet and PC room culture at the time. However, as the figure of 150,000 copies shows, it was evaluated as a masterpiece that achieved very good sales for a PC package game and was even exported to Japan.
Now, 27 years later, independent game studio Nine Circle, centered around the original developers, has announced the launch of a remaster project. Notably, the direct involvement of former Softmax CTO Youngki Cho, who served as the original’s director and main programmer, promises to be more than just a simple remaster; it will be a masterpiece crafted by those who truly understand the original’s essence.
Will it be a masterpiece that blends the original’s sensibility with modern convenience?
Developer Nine Circle stated that the core of the remaster is to ‘maintain the emotion and narrative of the original’ while improving it so that modern gamers can play it without any discomfort, and suggested the following improvements.
Graphics and screen improvements
- HD resolution support and improved image quality : Reconstructed in modern resolution without compromising the original’s gothic atmosphere.
- 16:9 widescreen compatible : Optimized for modern monitor environments
Voice and Sound
We’ve collaborated with Meerkat Games, the developers of Genesis Mobile: Asura Project, to add voice acting to key events. This voice dubbing, not present in the original game, promises to breathe life into the characters.
Improved gameplay
- Increased character movement speed : Improved movement speed that was frustrating.
- Combat Encounter Rate Adjustment : Controls the frequency of excessive random encounters.
- Undo ability during combat : If you accidentally move, you can undo it.
- Added a minimap : Improved convenience when exploring dungeons.
Enhanced convenience features
- Ignore Encounter Option
- Automatic battle system
- Battle speed control
- Weapon durability ignoring option
- Adjustment of experience and resource acquisition multipliers
- Keyboard and gamepad controls supported
These options are expected to allow for flexible difficulty adjustments that will satisfy both hardcore and casual players. Gamers who want to enjoy the original’s challenging difficulty can disable the options, while those who prefer a more story-focused experience can utilize the convenience features.
Strengthening IP consistency and storytelling
It’s noteworthy that Choi Yeon-gyu, the original creator of the Genesis series and narrative director for Genesis Mobile, is participating in the script and setting review and revisions. This demonstrates his commitment to not only improving graphics and systems, but also enhancing the storytelling while maintaining consistency across the entire IP.
Gamers who deeply understand and empathize with the Black Prince, Iolin, and Rashid in The War of Genesis 2 will find the relationship between Clausewitz and Cyrano in Rhapsody of the West Wind even more moving, mirroring their predecessors. The themes of revenge and forgiveness still resonate with modern times, and the remaster promises to deliver that message to a new generation.
The challenges developers face, yet there’s still so much to look forward to.
The remaster project won’t be without its challenges. Despite its excellent story and graphics, the original was criticized for its poor playability. Many critics said excessive random encounters, frustrating movement speeds, and an unfriendly UI disrupted the flow of the game. Whether Nine Circle’s proposed improvements address these issues will likely be a key factor in its success, earning recognition from both current and past gamers.
Furthermore, the recent failure of “Genesis: Gray’s Shadow” has taught us that simply upgrading graphics and tweaking the system isn’t enough. The key is how well the original game’s identity is preserved while still meeting the expectations of modern gamers.
Nonetheless, the West Wind’s Guangshi Song Remaster is a promising project in many ways.
First, the original developers are directly involved. With CTO Young-ki Cho and other original creators involved in the project, there’s a high possibility that the resulting work will be more than just a simple outsourced remaster, but one that truly embodies the creator’s intent.
Second, there’s the freedom inherent in independent studios. Being able to develop games while directly gathering feedback from fans, without the pressure of a major publisher, is a significant advantage. Communicating directly with fans through crowdfunding will also help build trust.
Third, it’s important to set realistic goals. By pursuing a remaster rather than a remake, we can minimize development risk while maximizing the original’s emotional appeal. The fact that it will be released as a standalone package with no additional charges also alleviates fan concerns.
The explosive response from gamers, stimulating end-of-century nostalgia.
Launched on December 1st, the Tumblbug crowdfunding campaign reached its goal within 14 hours, reaching 136% of its goal in just one day. Over 1,000 backers participated within 24 hours, and the project achieved the #1 most popular project on Tumblbug. This demonstrates the passion of the “War of Genesis” fandom, which remains vibrant even after 27 years.
This reaction isn’t simply nostalgia. With the remake “The War of Genesis: Gray Shadow” receiving disappointing reviews, fans have been desperately hoping for a game that truly captures the original’s spirit. Nine Circle’s remaster is positioned as a project that can bridge that gap.
“Genesis Side Story: The West Wind’s Rhapsody Remastered” isn’t simply a nostalgia ploy to bring back an old game. It’s a promise to properly complete Cyrano’s journey, which was left unfinished 27 years ago, using modern technology and sensibilities.
Director Kim Hyun-soo, who oversaw the overall development of the game, expressed gratitude for the successful funding and stated that he would create a high-quality remaster to meet expectations. The remastered version of “The Song of the West Wind,” scheduled to launch on Steam in the second quarter of 2026, will surely satisfy the thirst of fans who have waited 27 years.
Can this work, which tackles the weighty themes of revenge and forgiveness, fate and choice, still resonate with modern gamers? Nine Circle’s challenge is just beginning.
Rating (Expectations) : ★★★★☆ (4/5)
Release date : Scheduled for Q2 2026
Platform : PC (Steam, possibly consoles in the future)
Tumblbug: https://tumblbug.com/the_rhapsody_of_zephyr
