I’ve recently been diving into the history of 20th-century China, particularly the Second Sino-Japanese War, and the depth of its story has truly captivated me. Sadly, China’s monumental struggle during this period is often overlooked or underrepresented in video games.
The war’s intensity - the desperate, brutal fighting on both sides, the horrors of conflict, the lack of clear-cut "heroes" or "villains" - is a story full of nuance. The constantly shifting alliances, the uneasy truce between the Communists and Nationalists, betrayals, foreign intervention, and the stark technological gap between the Chinese and Japanese forces all contribute to a fascinating and untold narrative. The sheer resilience of the Chinese people, the relentless aggression of the Japanese, and the complex political landscape set against a backdrop of devastation create an epic canvas that rivals the European, African, and Pacific theaters in both scope and intensity.
Despite this, China’s pivotal role in the broader Pacific War and World War II is often underappreciated. As the world’s fifth-largest power post-WWII, its story deserves to be told with the depth and respect it commands.
That’s why I’m developing a mod that aims to capture the Second Sino-Japanese War in all its complexity - from the very start to its bitter conclusion. Using Panzer Corps 2, this project will explore the war’s existential struggle and all its intricate aspects.
I plan to share these development diaries regularly as significant progress is made. Stay tuned!
So, let's tell the forgotten tale of the dragon that fought the rising sun.
First up we have the work-in-progress campaign selection screen for the mod, that also showcases the custom map of Asia, made specifically for the mod, its still missing a description, but its done for the most part.
Next up is a look at the player's aide-de-camp. You will play as a general of the National Revolutionary Army, and this guy (still haven't though of a name for him) will accompany you throughout the grueling eight year conflict. Of course there will be other historical and original characters alike in the mod, referenced subtly or directly included in the briefings and debriefings.
Here is a look into the new faction coming to the mod - Communist China. This faction will represent the Chinese Red Army and its many critical operations during the war.
After that, we have an early version of the unit purchase screen for the NRA and Communists alike, aiming to represent the historical arsenal of both sides. In some missions, the player will be allowed to purchase Communist units as auxiliaries, in other scenarios the player may coordinate with an AI-controlled Communist faction and in some cases, may even clash directly with them! The Communists will offer elite specialized-infantry such as mountaineers and trained guerrilla fighters, but will be lacking in other aspects such as artillery and armor.
These are some of the new unit skins, made for the Chinese Nationalists and Communists, they mostly borrow textures from already-existing Panzer Corps 2 Factions, but at least they fit the theme.
That wraps up all I have to show off! Thanks for reading and here's hoping I get to finish this one day.
Link to Dev Diary #2:
https://www.slitherine.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=116565
