New Fantasy Journey to the West (1997) 新幻想西游记
Date: 1997-07-05
Platform: PC
Developer: Shenzhen Jinzhita Company
Publisher: Shenzhen Jinzhita Company
Genre: Role-Playing / Action
Adaptation: Retelling / Continuation
Summary:
New Fantasy Journey to the West is a domestically produced single-player action RPG. The game is set against the backdrop of the mid-Tang Dynasty, a period of national prosperity and stability for the populace. Drawing inspiration from the classic novel Journey to the West, the game remains largely faithful to the source material. It incorporates iconic episodes—such as the Red Boy, Flaming Mountains, Cave of the Silken Web, White Bone Demon, Kingdom of Chechi, True and False Monkey Kings, and Lesser Thunder Monastery—to form the core dungeon content. Interwoven with these are side quests featuring elements like the Yellow Wind Demon, Fengxian County, and the Tongtian River. While the main storyline follows a linear progression, side quests operate independently; they are not essential to the main plot, and skipping them does not hinder the game's advancement. The design aims to streamline the narrative by trimming away excess detail, ensuring a concise experience that avoids feeling tedious or drawn-out.
The story begins after Sun Wukong—the Great Sage Equal to Heaven—has been enjoying a carefree life in the Heavenly Palace, forging bonds of brotherhood with various deities. He became sworn brothers with Marshal Tianpeng, and counted among his close companions—both mentor and friend—was Jin Chanzi, the second disciple of the Tathagata Buddha. Meanwhile, Mulan, the descendant of a hunter, became the final disciple of the Great Immortal Zhenyuan.
Decades after the Tang Monk returned from the West with the sacred scriptures, the mortal realm was ravaged and looted by demons. Deeming humanity beyond redemption, the Jade Emperor ordered the Dragon Kings of the Four Seas to unleash a torrential downpour lasting seven days and nights as punishment. Upon learning of this, the Great Sage Sun pleaded in vain against the decree; left with no choice, he once again wreaked havoc in the Heavenly Palace. His actions implicated Jin Chanzi, Bajie, and Zhenyuan’s disciple Sha Mulan, all of whom were cast into the Rain-Making Platform for violating celestial law. With no other recourse, the Jade Emperor summoned the Tathagata Buddha to subdue the four. Upon learning the full story, the Buddha felt deep compassion and interceded on their behalf. He proposed that if the four descended to the mortal realm to redeem themselves by wresting the scriptures back from the demons, they could not only escape the death penalty but also save countless lives. Thus, the four agreed to descend to the mortal world.
