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Road to Empress I

You've never played a game like this before. Road to Empress I is a cinematic palace adventure where your choices decide everyone's fate. Tackle multiple story branches and a high mortality rate with charm, wisdom and courage? First...survive.

Steam Page
Release
September 8, 2025
328 days ago
Steam Reviews
Very Positive13,001 reviews86.7%

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Notes
Latest Contributor: IGF TeamEdit notes
Updated: Jul 13, 2026Developer scaleThe operating scale of the game's developer.
Updated: Jul 13, 2026Publisher scaleThe operating scale of the game's publisher.
New One Studio; Ariel is listed as a separate small publisher for this title.
Search Google: Is Road to Empress I self-published or published by New One Studio and Ariel?Publisher statusHow the game's publishing relationship is classified.
Search Google: How is Road to Empress I and New One Studio and Ariel funded?FundingThe known source of funding behind the game.
Search Google: Who controls the creative direction and IP for Road to Empress I and New One Studio?Creative controlWho appears to retain creative control of the game.
Updated: Jul 13, 2026Release statusWhether and how the game has been released.
The game is released through a separate publisher.

Media

11 items

About the Game

You've never played a game like this—cinematic palace adventure where your moves shape drama!

Full live-action on real sets, starring Kuan Hung, Evie Huang, Zeawo, Hana Lin, Qi Xiaxia. 4K HD delivers unprecedented immersion—step into grand Eastern imperial court.

This is where film meets gaming in perfect harmony. Here, every choice you make can take the story in a whole new direction! One moment of misplaced trust could send you spiraling into betrayal and death. Who's manipulating you? Who can you manipulate in return?

Amid multiple story branches and high mortality, can you rise from nobody to power with charm, wisdom, courage? First...survive.

Behind imperial court's golden facade: webs of desire, secrets, buried truths. Discover scandals—prince's affair with court bard, princess's hidden lover, vengeful spirits in abandoned Cold Palace, and more...

8+ hours content, every playthrough unique. Your choices shape story and you. Get custom Trait Sketch, collect artifacts, unlock hidden plots, crown top picks in popularity contests!

About New One Studio

We are an independent team focused on interactive storytelling, dedicated to innovatively blending Eastern culture with interactive media. In 2019, everyone who journeyed with The Invisible Guardian shared its BAFTA glory, reaffirming that great interactive storytelling can truly stay in people's hearts. Over the past few years, we have immersed ourselves in the prosperous ancient Chinese dynasty, brewing an entirely new story. Road to Empress not only depicts the deadly beauty of Eastern intrigue, but it also brings the audience a battlefield that will test your wisdom and courage.

Two works, different stories, one shared vision—we hope users worldwide can once again experience the charm of traditional Eastern culture through our story. It will serve as a bridge across cultures, bringing a brand-new experience to every user who supports FMV works.

In Road to Empress, you will personally write the epic of a ruling empress. Road to Empress I focuses on her legendary origins—watch how she transforms from an unknown girl into someone who survives the deadly power struggles of a crisis-ridden court through wisdom and courage, gradually emerging as a formidable force.

In Road to Empress II, you return as a seasoned master, and the stakes are brutally higher. Pull the strings from the shadows, keep your ministers in check, and unify an empire amid calculated scheming. You will write every word of a golden age yourself!

(Official Orange Light Authorization, with sincere thanks to Orange Light for their music support.)