Ink bleeds across the screen, and from it crawl creatures out of ancient Chinese tales of the strange. Realm of Taiwu, a new survivors-like that fuses ink-wash aesthetics with the eerie imagination of Chinese zhiguai folklore, has entered Steam Early Access.
The game is a joint project between Leap Studio, which made a strong impression with its ink-wash action roguelite Realm of Ink, and ConchShip Games, developer of the landmark Chinese indie hit The Scroll of Taiwu. That pairing drew attention from the moment it was announced.
Set in a dark Eastern fantasy world that looks painted in spreading ink, the game combines fast combat against swarming demons, exploration of unknown territory, and strategic growth through gear crafting.
The Early Access version offers six playable characters with distinct styles and around 30 skill sets, and supports both single-player and real-time online co-op for up to four players.
A World Where the Gods Have Fallen Silent
Realm of Taiwu takes place in a corrupted world where the gods have gone silent and grotesque beings called the Xiangshu run rampant.
Players cross a shattered land in search of hope in a world given over to despair. The game pairs strange creatures and lore inspired by Chinese zhiguai tales with ink-wash visuals that emphasize the bleed of ink on paper.
Early Access opens with two contrasting regions. The Bloodjade Abyss is an unsettling space where red mineral veins pulse like arteries. In the Tome Mound, players encounter a surreal landscape where written characters crawl across the ground.
Both regions are more than combat arenas: they’re designed for exploration, with hidden stories to uncover throughout.
Six Characters, ~30 Skill Sets, Endless Builds
Combat follows the survivors-like formula of fighting waves of enemies while growing your character and abilities.
At Early Access launch, six playable characters and about 30 skill sets are available. Players combine characters and skills, from melee and ranged attacks to status-effect strategies, to create their own builds.
Which character you pick and which abilities you combine changes how you fight. The developers plan to keep adding characters, skills, and more throughout Early Access.
Gear crafting and progression matter too. Players can dismantle unused gear for materials and reforge the equipment they want to strengthen it, gradually turning a favorite piece into a powerful weapon.
Beyond the Battlefield: Base Building and Spirit Companions
Outside combat, players can develop their base with the Wanqu Folk they rescue on their adventures. Turning the Conch-Vessel, where the Wanqu Folk gather, into a thriving home offers a different kind of progression from fighting.
Spirit Attendants met along the way can also be rescued and recruited as companions. Growing them provides help on adventures, so characters, gear, base, and companions all develop together.
Realm of Taiwu supports real-time online co-op for up to four players as well as single-player.
When each player picks a different character and build, the team can create combinations impossible solo, covering one another’s weaknesses in battle.
Co-op also has a mischievous streak. Some items that appear mid-run can help allies, or cause unexpected trouble for them instead. The developers say pranks and happy accidents among friends are part of the adventure.
Realm of Ink Meets The Scroll of Taiwu
The collaboration between two studios known for Eastern-themed worlds generated buzz before launch.
Leap Studio develops original PC and console games from studios in Beijing, Xi’an, and Hefei. Its best-known title is Realm of Ink, a roguelite combining ink-wash visuals with action.
Leap Studio founder and CEO Ningkun Dai described the Early Access launch as the beginning of the journey and said the team intends to keep developing the game together with players.
ConchShip Games is known for The Scroll of Taiwu, which brought the Chinese wuxia world to life with exceptional freedom.
Who This Is For
Strong fit for: survivors-like fans looking for a striking new art style; players who loved Realm of Ink’s ink-wash look; friend groups who want up to four-player co-op with build synergy and chaos; anyone fascinated by Chinese mythology and zhiguai folklore; players who enjoy base building and companion systems alongside combat.
Cautious fit for: players who prefer complete releases, since Early Access starts with two regions; anyone who needs price or language details first, including whether Korean is supported, as the announcement doesn’t say.
Less ideal for: those seeking a slow, narrative-heavy RPG in the vein of The Scroll of Taiwu itself; this is fast action.
The Takeaway
Realm of Taiwu brings together two of China’s most distinctive indie studios and gives the crowded survivors-like genre a genuinely different look: a world painted in bleeding ink, haunted by creatures from tales of the strange. Six characters, roughly 30 skill sets, gear reforging, a growing base, spirit companions, and four-player co-op give Early Access a solid foundation. How far it expands before full release, with new characters, skills, and regions, will be the story to watch.
Steam Early Access: available now.
Information regarding ‘Realm of Taiwu’
| item | detail |
|---|---|
| Developer | Leap Studio |
| Collaboration/Publisher | Collaboration with ConchShip Games; publisher attribution needs verification. |
| Genre | Survivor-like action ARPG |
| platform | PC (Steam) Early Access |
| Release date | October 15, 2026 (Early Access) |
| Player count | Single player, online co-op for up to 4 players |
| Early Access Content | 2 maps (Blood Jade Abyss, Western Garrison), 6 characters, approximately 30 skill sets |
| price | No mention in press release |
| language | No mention in press release; need to verify Korean language support. |
| Reactions/Evaluations | No confirmed reviews as it is immediately after release |
| Steam Page | Shortcut |
