Developer FrameOver and publisher Headup have announced their narrative-driven action game, The 9th Dragon, which is in development for consoles and PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store. Players control Rookie, the newest member of an elite police commando unit sent into the streets of Kowloon.
The game’s missions unfold inside tight apartments, narrow corridors, and cluttered alleyways where positioning plays a major role in combat. Players will fight using hand-to-hand attacks alongside a range of weapons, including pistols, Uzis, shotguns, flamethrowers, and explosives.
Combat also emphasizes stamina management and environmental interaction. Enemies can be weakened by breaking their stamina, opening them up for finishing moves like the Grap.
The story features a branching structure shaped by player decisions. Choices affect Rookie’s alignment, pushing toward either a heroic or anti-hero path and leading to different outcomes.
Exploration is another key component. Players can traverse rooftops, cross cables and ziplines, and uncover hidden routes throughout the vertical cityscape. Collectible comic books unlock new combat abilities and combo chains, while lore items and NPC interactions provide additional story context.
According to the developers, the game features around 20 enemy types, eight bosses, and roughly 10 hours of gameplay, with replayable missions that allow players to revisit levels and explore alternate story paths.
