Get ready for a stunning new action-adventure experience from the creators of the hit battle royale game, NARAKA: BLADEPOINT. Developers 24 Entertainment, in collaboration with NetEase Games, have officially revealed Blood Message, their ambitious new single-player, story-driven title.
This marks a significant step for NetEase Games, representing their first completely single-player focused AAA experience after two decades in the industry. NetEase Executive Vice President and Lead Producer, Zhipeng Hu, stated they are aiming to deliver a “truly epic and cinematic experience” globally.
A Journey Through the Tumultuous Tang Dynasty
Blood Message is set during the dramatic final years of Ancient China’s Tang Dynasty, specifically drawing inspiration from the historical Dunhuang uprising of 848 AD. The narrative follows the harrowing journey of an unassuming messenger caught up in this rebellion. Accompanied by his young son, he must traverse a perilous 1,000-mile (or 3,000 li) journey back to Chang’an, the empire’s capital, to deliver a critical message.
The game promises a deeply personal story, shifting focus away from emperors and generals to highlight the “unsung heroes” – ordinary people driven by extraordinary resolve. The core emotional narrative revolves around the father-son relationship, exploring profound themes of family, honor, sacrifice, loyalty, survival, and cultural identity amidst a crumbling world.
Intense Combat and a Curated World
Gameplay in Blood Message is described as a linear, narrative-driven experience, similar in world design focus to titles like A Plague Tale, rather than an open world. Players will navigate treacherous landscapes inspired by diverse terrains across East and Central Asia, from desolate deserts and vast wilderness to bustling markets, snowy mountains, and ancient ruins. This variety hints at a wide range of missions and environmental challenges beyond just combat.
Combat is designed to be visceral and realistic, blending stealth and survival mechanics. The trailer hints at versatile weapon usage, allowing players to utilize not just swords and knives, but potentially environmental objects like hammers or plates against foes. Intriguingly, trailer footage also suggests the possibility of a co-operative gameplay element or a consistent companion NPC, showing characters assisting each other with stealth takedowns and traversal.
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Blood Message is being developed for PC and consoles, leveraging the power of Unreal Engine 5 to achieve stunning visual fidelity. The unveiled trailer showcases highly detailed characters and environments with impressive lighting and animations, prompting comparisons to visuals seen in games like Horizon Forbidden West. The studio is also incorporating its own proprietary technologies to enhance the experience.
While revealed with a compelling trailer, there is currently no confirmed release date or window for Blood Message. However, the polish seen in the reveal suggests a potential release sometime in 2026 or 2027.
Fans of NARAKA: BLADEPOINT and those eager for a narrative-rich, action-adventure game set in a historically inspired Ancient China setting should keep a close eye on Blood Message as more details emerge.
