I originally planned to go to sleep at midnight tonight, but after opening Yao Shen Zhuan and finishing the master-apprentice tasks, it was already 3:30 😵💫
This game is a chibi-style Xianxia turn-based RPG, not the kind where you have to aggressively swipe the screen, suitable for people like me whose brain doesn't work well late at night. The core is forming teams to clear maps, raising pets, and farming materials. One person can take multiple pets and companions into battle, and once you set up your formation, most fights can be automatic. At first, I was just focused on the story and was silly excited when I drew the Lord of the Eternal Pavilion as a support, but later I realized that pet skill combinations are much more important than simply stacking power. For example, I mainly train a little fox for damage and bring a healer; in auto-battle, she controls the enemy first, making map clearing much more stable. Don't be like me and spread resources too thin at the start, scattering them like late-night food delivery orders, ending up unable to defeat anyone.
What struck me the most were the master-apprentice dynamics and voice chat. Last night, a newbie in the guild turned on their mic and shouted, 'Master, I can't beat this monster QAQ,' and I almost laughed so hard I dropped my phone on my face. Then I went over to help her fight twice, and she shouted in the team channel, 'Master, if you love me, marry me!!!' Me: ??? Are social interactions in Xianxia mobile games always this direct 😂 But having someone to clear dailies with and chat with late at night does make it less easy to feel sleepy.
The theme song is sung by Audio Monster, and it has a strong ancient style vibe. I often put my phone aside and listen to it while AFK. There are also cross-server guild wars and escort raids, but for night owls, it's advised not to touch cross-server 1v1 after 1 AM, as you're likely to encounter players who haven't slept, and your head might get blown off. If you want it easier, just do your daily tasks during the day and tackle story and mentor tasks at night. Adjust the skill sequence in auto-battle instead of just clicking 'recommend,' which can save a lot of potions. The red dots in the shop are pretty annoying. Free-to-play players can still enjoy the game, but you need to control yourself, or you'll find yourself wanting to click them before you know it.
Pros: The chibi style isn't scary, turn-based gameplay isn't taxing on the hands, the xianxia melodramatic love story pairs well with late-night play for a good atmosphere, and raising pets plus master-apprentice social interactions have little surprises. Cons: Daily quests can be a bit long, there are too many notification dots, cross-server matching can occasionally be crushed by stronger players, and social anxiety makes voice chat feel like your toes are digging into the ground. Suitable for night owls who enjoy a slow pace, can idle, and want to chat with others. If you pursue pure skill-based gameplay or completely want to avoid socializing, it might not be your taste.
I'll continue to finish today's full session, and after finishing, I'll really sleep, really 😴🌙