Set around 1929, this interactive visual novel lets you relive the early Red Army's epic journey from a first-person perspective. Experience immersive historical narratives and make pivotal branching choices. Beware: wrong decisions will end your game!

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Play Revolution: Young Mao

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About This Game

IMPORTANT NOTICE

PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE DOWNLOADING THE GAME. For a historical biographical game, the most crucial element is whether the history told within it is authentic and true.

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Comrades, you have all seen the power of the opposition's water army (internet trolls). Overnight, negative reviews surged by 200%, dragging the game's rating down from "Positive" to "Mostly Negative." I am glad to see that some comrades have remained objective and neutral; this is a commendable mindset. However, those on the other side do not necessarily play by the rules of objectivity and neutrality.

Therefore, I trust that all comrades can understand why a game with this kind of content must never be produced first by regions like Taiwan Province, the United States, or Japan, which would only give them the opportunity to distort history. If that day truly comes, on this American-owned platform, we would be left helpless, unable to do anything but watch—even reporting them would be useless.

If one day the country begins to recognize the value of promoting positive energy through the medium of video games, I will immediately hand over this game and its title to the state free of charge for further development, should there be a need. When the author used to play Three Kingdoms-period games, there were always comrades (including the author himself) who lamented: Why is it that games about our own history are always made by other countries first?

When it comes to a game with this specific content, we can now confidently say: Not anymore.

By stepping up as the pioneer, the only consequence the author faces is nothing more than a review-bombing campaign by a water army. To be honest, when I first made this game, I didn't consider this issue. I only focused on the fact that as the very first game about Runzhi, it shouldn't make comrades complain, "Why does a game about Chairman Mao cost money?" At the same time, I had to consider those who genuinely want to learn about Runzhi but lack the financial means, as well as people across all continents worldwide who share the same desire. Therefore, this game must be free.

However, this decision also brought about the issue of mass negative reviews from the water army, because Steam allows unlimited account registration without real-name authentication.

As for the game's title—why name it Runzhi? It is because this was his courtesy name, and most of his friends in his early years addressed him this way. It also roughly corresponds to the time span covered in this game.

Games of this type will be like a single spark that eventually starts a prairie fire.

Xijiangyue · Jinggangshan

Below the hill, banners and flags are in sight,

At the top, drums and bugles echo through the night.

The enemy encircles us ten-thousandfold,

Yet firmly and immovably, we hold.

Our ramparts have long been fortified and grand,

United in a fortress of wills, we stand.

From Huangyangjie comes the roaring cannon thunder,

Reporting the enemy has fled into the dark in plunder.

______________________________________________________________________________

Currently, the negative reviews in the comment section mainly originate from Taiwan, Japan, the United States, and other regions.

In the face of an increasing number of biased individuals who are attacking the game's protagonist under the guise of criticizing game quality, the author hereby declares:

  • Zero Government Funding: The development process of this game did not cost a single penny of state or taxpayer money. All costs were funded entirely out of the author’s own pocket.

  • No Marketing: The author has not contacted any individual or company to promote this game or artificially attract players.

  • Completely Free: This game is entirely free to play. It has caused no waste of public resources, nor has it infringed upon anyone else's interests.

  • Rigorous Historical Accuracy: To ensure historical accuracy and rigor, a massive amount of primary historical documents has been integrated. Reading historical documents is a core component of this game. If you do not like reading documents, please do not download.

  • Anti-Historical Nihilism: To avoid historical nihilism, the gameplay mechanics have been kept to a minimum. If you are looking for heavy gameplay or rich mechanics, please go play other fun games. Please do not download this game.

  • Production Assets: The visual and audio assets used in this game are not exquisite. If you have high standards for asset quality, or if you are the type of person who maliciously attacks a project simply because you are dissatisfied with its production value:

DO NOT DOWNLOAD.

DO NOT DOWNLOAD.

DO NOT DOWNLOAD.

DO NOT DOWNLOAD.

DO NOT DOWNLOAD.

DO NOT DOWNLOAD.

DO NOT DOWNLOAD.

DO NOT DOWNLOAD.

DO NOT DOWNLOAD.

DO NOT DOWNLOAD.

Save your own time.

If you are dissatisfied with the quality of the assets, you are more than welcome to make a game yourself that meets your standards, or invest in others to do so.

Barking and whining here solves absolutely nothing.

I do not care about your personal attacks against me, but I refuse to let the comment section here become a toxic swamp. This space belongs to our comrades.

Game Mechanics & Content Clarifications

  • Choices & Consequences: Some of the choices in the game are quite straightforward if you read carefully. Those who failed simply wanted to rush through the game in a short time. People who spend very little time won't even finish reading Runzhi’s articles featured in the game.

  • Preferences on Choices: Some players want more choices, some want fewer; some want them easier, some want them harder. Everyone has their own preferences, and it is impossible for the author to satisfy everyone simultaneously.

  • Core Purpose: This game solely aims to allow more people to easily and freely understand the history experienced by Runzhi during his youth.

  • Strictly Based on Official Biography: The script is written strictly according to the official biography (except for easter eggs). The game focuses heavily where the official records focus heavily, and touches lightly where the official records touch lightly. Anything unsupported by official records is omitted.

  • Corrections Welcome: If anyone, after reading the official historical books, finds any discrepancies in this game, please let me know. I will modify it immediately.

  • True Comrades: Comrades who genuinely want to understand Runzhi will review this game by seeking truth from facts (Shi Shi Qiu Shi).

  • Resource Limits: It is not that the author didn't want to make it perfect, but rather that resources are extremely limited. Well-funded companies are rarely willing to take the risk of making this type of game.

  • Final Warning on Assets: The author has explicitly stated that the art, music, and other assets will absolutely not meet the high demands of certain people. If you have any aesthetic expectations for this game's assets, do not download it. If you still go out of your way to download it just to bash the assets, true comrades will already know exactly what your intentions are.

  • Dealing with Trolls: The author has no time to read malicious, foul-mouthed reviews. Wasting even a single second on these people is a waste of life. The author will focus on creating content that our own comrades want to see.

Updates & Acknowledgments

  • The author has already adopted and updated several suggestions proposed by comrades.
    The reason I play that song right at the very beginning and on the main menu is that I know some players might not even last more than a few minutes in the game. But even so, I want them to hear the words sung in that song: "Serve the People" and "Long Live the People." These are expressions that have rarely been heard in the Chinese music industry for so many years. The mental and spiritual outlook this song brings to people is unlike any other music.

  • If you wish to contact the author, comrades, please leave your email.

  • Finally, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the comrades who support this game, regardless of national borders. During the most difficult times, my physical body was sustained by dried noodles costing 11.9 yuan for 5 catties, while my spirit was sustained by the ever-growing wishlist from across all continents.

  • Comrade players are more than welcome to put forward valuable, constructive suggestions based on facts.

  • In order to let more people in the world understand the real Runzhi, an English version has been specially made. As a fellow comrade, the author wishes to make a small contribution to human civilization. Thank you.

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【About This Game】

This project is a historical visual novel focusing on the revolutionary history of the late 1920s. Told through a first-person perspective, the game transports players back to the turbulent era around 1929. You will follow in the protagonist's footsteps, reliving the epic story of the early Red Army as they forged a path through immense hardships and dangers. Through meticulously researched interactive text, the game aims to provide players with an immersive, deeply engaging historical experience.

【Gameplay & Features】

  • Immersive Interactive Reading Experience The game utilizes a classic visual novel format to drive the narrative forward. Players progress through the story by clicking to read, experiencing the historical weight and deep character emotions woven between the lines, accompanied by evocative illustrations and text presentations.

  • First-Person Historical Perspective Abandoning the detachment of a bystander's view, players will dive deep into the inner world of the protagonist. The game not only showcases grand historical events but also emphasizes the thoughts and feelings of characters within their specific historical contexts, allowing you to directly feel the idealism and passion of that era.

  • Crucial Narrative Choices At major turning points that shaped history, the game offers specific branching choices for player interaction. Although the wheels of history roll forward and the main storyline follows historical facts, your choices at critical moments will trigger unique dialogue feedback and situational details. Facing certain life-or-death decisions, a wrong choice may trigger a crisis and immediately end the current run (returning you to the main menu). Players must think carefully and make the correct decisions aligned with historical context.

  • Pure Narrative Focus The game contains no tedious, complex action mechanics or stat-grinding systems, focusing 100% of its core on "storytelling." It is ideal for players who love historical themes, biographical stories, and prefer experiencing deep narrative value through reading.
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Thank you, comrades, for your overwhelming support. I have not hired any click-farms/fake reviewers, nor have I done any promotion. Within roughly 24 hours of release, our first 10 reviews were all positive, so the game currently stands at a "Positive" rating. Thank you all.

2026.07.05

AI Generated Content Disclosure

The developers describe how their game uses AI Generated Content like this:

AI-Assisted Production

System Requirements

Windows
macOS
SteamOS + Linux
    Minimum:
    • OS *: Windows 7 or higher
    • Processor: 2.0 GHz Core 2 Duo
    • Memory: 2 GB RAM
    • Graphics: OpenGL 2.0 or DirectX 9.0c compatible
    • DirectX: Version 9.0c
    • Storage: 1 GB available space
    • Sound Card: DirectX compatible sound card
    Recommended:
    • OS *: Windows 7 or higher
    • Processor: 2.0 GHz Core 2 Duo
    • Memory: 2 GB RAM
    • Graphics: OpenGL 2.0 or DirectX 9.0c compatible
    • Storage: 1 GB available space
    • Sound Card: DirectX compatible sound card
* Starting January 1st, 2024, the Steam Client will only support Windows 10 and later versions.
    Minimum:
    • OS: macOS 10.13 or higher
    • Processor: Intel Core or Apple Silicon
    • Memory: 2 GB RAM
    • Graphics: OpenGL 2.0 compatible
    • Storage: 1 GB available space
    • Sound Card: Built-in audio
    Recommended:
    • OS: macOS 10.13 or higher
    • Processor: Intel Core or Apple Silicon
    • Memory: 2 GB RAM
    • Graphics: OpenGL 2.0 compatible
    • Storage: 1 GB available space
    • Sound Card: Built-in audio
* Starting February 15, 2024, the Steam Client will no longer support 32-bit games or macOS 10.14 or lower.
    Minimum:
    • OS: Ubuntu 20.04 or SteamOS
    • Processor: 2.0 GHz Core 2 Duo
    • Memory: 2 GB RAM
    • Graphics: OpenGL 2.0 compatible
    • Storage: 1 GB available space
    • Sound Card: Standard audio
    Recommended:
    • OS: Ubuntu 20.04 or SteamOS
    • Processor: 2.0 GHz Core 2 Duo
    • Memory: 2 GB RAM
    • Graphics: OpenGL 2.0 compatible
    • Storage: 1 GB available space
    • Sound Card: Standard audio

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Overall Reviews:
Very Negative (188 reviews)






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