A promo poster of Sword of Justice in Thailand. [Photo/NetEase]

Hangzhou-based game producer NetEase's open-world release Sword of Justice — the international version of Justice Online (Nishuihan) — has quickly surged to the top of the App Store free charts in Japan, Thailand, Malaysia, and Vietnam following its recent global launch, while also ranking among the leading RPG titles in major Western markets.

The strong debut highlights growing global interest in Chinese games and the rise of aesthetics inspired by Song Dynasty (960-1279) cultural elements abroad.

Since launch, international players and streamers on YouTube and TikTok have actively shared analyses of the game's traditional costumes, architecture and poetry, turning the title into an unexpected bridge for Chinese aesthetics.

Technological innovation is key to the game's appeal. Built on NetEase's advanced graphics system, Sword of Justice delivers near-AAA visual performance on mobile. Its AI-powered NPC engine gives more than 3,000 characters independent personalities and memory, shaping storylines around players' choices.

The AI-driven face-creation system has become a fan favorite, while refined translation and voiceover work to help global audiences appreciate Song-style artistry.

A livestreamer tries out costumes inspired by Song-Dynasty cultural elements in the game. [Photo/NetEase]

The success also reflects the growing momentum of Hangzhou's Binjiang district, which is emerging as a key hub for exporting China's "new cultural trio" — online literature, online dramas and online games.

In 2024, the area's cultural exports exceeded $1.2 billion, supported by new policy packages that strengthen the full ecosystem for cultural products going global. The district aims to further scale this industry and build a leading national zone for high-quality cultural exports.

A screenshot of the game. [Photo/NetEase]