Road to Empress I

Road to Empress I

Released Sep 2025

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.

86% positive · 14K reviews
Done
All announced content has been released
High confidence
Done
All announced content has been released
High confidence

Where to buy

Steam $8.49
Can't confirm — worth a look
We couldn't confirm these stores carry this game.
Green Man Gaming Steam key Search IndieGala Steam key Search
Prices in USD, as listed by each store.
Buying through an affiliate store helps support the site

Evaluation

Road to Empress I launched on September 8, 2025 as a cinematic FMV palace adventure set in an Eastern imperial court. Shortly after launch, the developer released the Props & Bloopers Expansion Pack on September 22, 2025, adding behind-the-scenes footage and in-game collectibles. The game received consistent post-launch patches throughout late 2025 and into 2026, addressing video playback, performance, and localization. The developer's primary post-launch effort was building Road to Empress II, a follow-up entry in the series. Its Steam page went live on April 14, 2026, a release date of June 9, 2026 was confirmed on May 22, 2026, and the game launched globally as announced. Road to Empress II is a separate Steam product (App ID 4148240), not a DLC — it is an independent continuation of the series. As of the June 9, 2026 launch of Road to Empress II, there is no announced future content for Road to Empress I itself. All DLC for the original game has shipped, the sequel the developer was building toward has now launched, and no roadmap or additional content for Part I has been communicated. The title "Road to Empress I" signaled from the outset that this was the first chapter of a series, and that series has now expanded with Part II as a standalone product. Road to Empress I's own content appears complete.
Evidence
Road to Empress II launched globally on June 9, 2026 as a separate Steam product. The developer framed it as the next chapter in the series, inviting players back through the palace gates to forge a golden age.
news post · Jun 9, 2026 source content shipped
high
Developer confirmed Road to Empress II's global launch date of June 9, 2026.
news post · May 22, 2026 source content planned
high

Content

1 of 1 released · no outstanding content

Media

Details

Publisher
New One Studio
Achievements
40
Platform
Windows
Controller
—
Steam Deck
Playable
Players
Single-player

About this 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.)

Last evaluated Jul 2, 2026
Something about this evaluation looks wrong Report illegal or harmful content