Tencent and its Morefun Studios subsidiary revealed a 3D action-fighting game The Hidden Ones inspired by Chinese mythology.
Launching in 2025 on PC and mobile, the game is similar to Black Myth: Wukong (which sold 20 million copies in a month) in its appeal in taking Chinese content to a global stage. Like Black Myth: Wukong, the game is being built by a Chinese game studio in Shenzhen.
The companies released a long trailer to show off the cinematic animation style for The Hidden Ones.
The game is based on the popular manga and anime Hitori No Shita: The Outcast, and it is set in a mythical world rooted in ancient Eastern myths and philosophies such as Taoism and Yin Yang.
Players will use unique skill sets to develop their abilities and engage in exhilarating, strategic and action-packed battles. Featuring thrilling Eastern martial arts combat, showcased through artistic expression, the upcoming title promises to deliver a visually stunning and captivating gaming experience.
“For years now, our team at Morefun Studios has poured immense energy, dedication and passion into crafting The Hidden Ones to be a mythical martial arts experience that players across PC and mobile will love,” said Enzo Zhang, head of MoreFun Studios, in a statement. “The development team at Morefun Studios is known across the globe for their wide portfolio of action and shooter games, and are thrilled to share The Hidden Ones with players who enjoy action-packed experiences.”
Based on the original anime series, The Outcast, players will focus on the Outcasts’ identities as ordinary people and immerse themselves in a cinematic story set in the world of modern martial arts. Building on the original franchise’s Chinese superpower lore, players will also delve deeper into the pursuits, identities and Tao of the various Outcast characters.
The Hidden Ones will have three game modes:
- Story – Various boss mechanics and designs reflect the different chapters of the mythical martial arts story. Experience cinematic-style cutscenes and beautifully designed levels that immerse players in the action. Venture into the world of The Outcast through action-packed battles and explore the story from multiple perspectives.
- Duel – Engage in high-intensity battles and adapt quickly. By integrating other characters’ skills into the action roulette, players can gain a game-changing advantage. Use unique skills and strategies in a fair and competitive environment.
- Trial – Conquer all the epic bosses that emerge throughout the story mode. Battle bosses grow stronger with each fight, and players must master different characters and battle styles to prevail.
Key features
The companies said the game will feature captivating Outcast stories and fast-paced combat. Players will discover the ancient myths of the Outcast world and engage in combat across diverse game modes.
The game will combine modern characters with myth and martial arts in a cinematic design. The players can experience unique Eastern martial arts combat — the sort where you can fly around and jump in superhuman feats — featuring enticing cinematic scenes inspired by an urban myth with ancient elements.
And the companies promise a completely fair PvP experience. The core values of The Hidden Ones will focus on ensuring fair competitive play and upholding a strict zero-tolerance policy against cheating.
Players in the United States and Brazil can also now sign up for an opportunity to participate in the pre-alpha test starting today.
MoreFun Studios Group, a Shenzhen subsidiary of Tencent Games, was established in 2010, and has developed several projects with world-renowned intellectual property such as Naruto and Rock Kingdom.
With experience in a wide variety of genres, including action, shooter, RPG, casual and more, MoreFun Studios is committed to delivering high-quality content.
The Hidden Ones’ development team has grown to several hundred people, with development under way since mid-2021.
Asked about the inspiration, MoreFun Studios said it came from the anime and manga series titled The Outcast.
“The game, like its source material, is a modern urban supernatural title set against the backdrop of traditional Eastern culture and folklore,” the studio said. “The game mirrors the original series’ various styles and schools of Eastern martial arts as well as embodies the aesthetics, values, and philosophical ideas of traditional Chinese culture. Examples of these include the harmony of hardness and softness, the balance between movement and stillness and the Taoist concept of unity between humanity and nature.”
MoreFun added, “The core of the original series aligns perfectly with our vision for game development, which is to combine the dynamic, ever-changing ‘movement’ of martial arts with the ‘stillness’ found in the essence of traditional Chinese culture. Ultimately, we made The Hidden Ones to be an action game where traditional martial arts and Eastern culture shine together.”
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