Lingshan Romance

Lingshan Romance was a turn-based MMORPG that invited players into a stylized fantasy setting inspired by Chinese mythology and traditional aesthetics, presented through a mix of 2D and 3D visuals. Players could pick from 5+ gender-locked classes, then build those characters toward familiar party jobs like damage dealer, frontline tank, or dedicated support through progression choices and skill customization.

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Publisher: Tencent
Type: MMORPG
Release Date: 2017
Shut Down: 2018
Pros: +A roster of 5+ distinct classes with their own skill sets. +A cohesive look rooted in Chinese art direction. +Early progression support via an EXP boost for lower-level players.
Cons: -Public details are scarce compared to bigger MMO releases. -No confirmed release for Western regions.

Overview

Lingshan Romance Overview

Lingshan Romance framed its adventure around turn-based encounters and a world heavily shaped by Chinese-inspired visual design. Character creation began with choosing from 5+ gender-locked classes, each built around a clear combat identity and a distinct style in battle. From there, progression was not just about levels, players also fine-tuned their role by selecting from four scroll paths that granted different abilities, letting the same base class lean toward tanking, damage output, or supportive utility depending on the build.

Like many MMORPGs, the core loop revolved around questing and grinding monsters to push toward end-game activities. Improving combat power relied on upgrading weapons and armor, with gear progression acting as the main lever for increasing stats and overall performance. PvE featured boss encounters that could be tackled alone or with a party, often tied to limited access windows, encouraging players to log in around scheduled opportunities. On the competitive side, the game included multiple PvP modes for players who preferred testing builds and team setups against others.

Outside of direct combat, the pet system provided an additional layer of progression. Pets could accompany the player in fights, and the broader service model leaned on daily logins, rewards, and server-wide events designed to keep characters advancing and communities active.

Lingshan Romance Key Features:

  • 5+ Classes – select from more than five gender-locked classes, each with its own look and toolkit.
  • Shape Characters – steer your build by choosing one of four scroll routes that unlock different skill options.
  • Weapons and Armor – upgrade and replace equipment to raise combat power and improve overall stats.
  • PvE and PvP Content – take on time-limited PvE challenges and join several PvP modes against other players.
  • Pet System raise pets that accompany you in battle and add extra progression goals.

Lingshan Romance Screenshots

Lingshan Romance Featured Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=KOcdr8v8YAg

Full Review

Lingshan Romance Review

Lingshan Romance is best understood as a service-style, turn-based MMO built around steady character growth and scheduled activities, rather than constant freeform action. Its biggest immediate hook was presentation, the world leaned hard into Chinese-inspired motifs and a painterly fantasy tone, giving it a recognizable identity among MMOs that often default to more generic western high fantasy. The hybrid 2D and 3D approach helped it stand out visually, even if it also meant some elements could feel inconsistent depending on where you were and what you were doing.

Combat leaned into traditional turn-based structure, which made fights more about preparation and build direction than twitch execution. The class selection was relatively broad for its format, but the gender-locked design constrained roleplaying and character preference. Where the game did offer flexibility was in build shaping via the four scroll options, which functioned as a meaningful layer of customization. Instead of every class playing exactly one way, scroll choices could nudge a character toward durability, burst damage, or party utility, giving group compositions more room to breathe.

Progression followed a familiar MMO rhythm: quests, monster farming, and the constant chase for stronger gear. Equipment served as the clearest power upgrade, and the focus on improving weapons and armor reinforced that the long-term grind was a major pillar. The early EXP buff was a helpful quality-of-life feature for new or returning players, making it easier to reach the parts of the game where group activities and boss content mattered more.

The PvE side mixed routine grinding with boss encounters that were not always available on demand. Time-window access can be a double-edged sword, it creates community moments when everyone shows up to push content together, but it can also be inconvenient for players who cannot align with set schedules. PvP modes offered an alternative end-game direction for competitive players, though, as with many turn-based PvP systems, match quality often depends heavily on balance and the strength of progression systems behind a character.

Pets rounded out the feature set by giving players a companion-focused progression track. This is the kind of system that tends to appeal to collectors and optimizers, since it adds another layer of improvement beyond gear and levels. Combined with daily rewards and server events, Lingshan Romance clearly aimed to keep players on a consistent routine of small gains that build toward bigger milestones.

Ultimately, the game’s concept was solid for fans of turn-based MMORPGs who enjoy structured advancement, build planning, and themed aesthetics. Its shutdown in 2018, along with limited accessible information and the absence of a western release, makes it difficult to recommend today beyond historical interest, but its design highlights a distinct approach to MMO pacing compared to more action-driven competitors.

Links

Lingshan Romance Links

Lingshan Romance Official Site [Chinese]
Lingshan Romance Forums [Official] [Chinese]

System Requirements

Lingshan Romance System Requirements

Minimum Requirements:

Operating System: Windows 7 / 8 / 10
CPU: Intel Core i3-4150 CPU with 3.50GHz
RAM: 4 GB
Video Card: GeForce GT 730 or ATI Radeon R7 240

Recommended Requirements:

Operating System: Windows 7 / 8 / 10
CPU: Intel Core Duo CPU E7500 with 2.93GHz
RAM: 2 GB
Video Card: GeForce 8500 GT or ATI Radeon X1950GT

Music

Lingshan Romance Music & Soundtrack

Coming soon!

Additional Info

Lingshan Romance Additional Information

Chinese Title: 灵山奇缘
Developer(s):
Tencent
Publisher(s): Tencent

Language(s): Chinese

Platform(s): PC

Open Beta: December 15, 2016
Chinese Release Date: 2017
Shut Down: 2018

Development History / Background:

Lingshan Romance was developed and published by Tencent, a major Chinese company known for large-scale online services and media. Prior to its beta period in December 2016, the project was referenced under the earlier name “Code Zero.” Drawing loosely from Journey to the West, the game emphasized Chinese artistic influences throughout its environments and character designs, pairing that direction with a blend of 2D and 3D graphics for its overall presentation.