Rewinding Cadence is stepping into the ring as a bold new rival to Genshin Impact’s dominance in the open-world action RPG scene. Developed by Saroasis Studios under Tencent, this 2D anime-style game packs a time-loop story, tactical combat, and gacha elements, aiming to pull players in with its unique twist on exploration and narrative. With a vibrant world and mechanics that echo tabletop RPGs, it’s gunning to stand out in a crowded market. Here’s everything we know about this potential Genshin competitor as of June 16, 2025.
Game Overview
Rewinding Cadence is a 2D open-world action RPG from Saroasis Studios, a Tencent subsidiary, blending a time-loop narrative, tactical battles, and anime-style visuals. You play as a “Returner,” thrown into a world with just 42 days until it collapses, teaming up with a mysterious spirit named Chu to rewind time and reshape the story. It’s a gacha game with tabletop RPG-inspired mechanics, currently available for Android pre-registration in China via BiliBili, with PC and iOS versions planned and an English trailer hinting at a possible global release, though no launch date is set yet.
Gameplay Mechanics
In Rewinding Cadence, you can rewind time to redo events, tweak outcomes, and uncover secrets, giving you multiple chances to explore different story paths, much like a choose-your-own-adventure with a d20 dice roll system inspired by Dungeons & Dragons that decides outcomes based on your stats.
Combat is tactical and action-packed, focusing on spirit companions with unique fighting styles you can level up, while exploration feels vibrant with a big, colorful world where you glide, ride mounts, and interact with NPCs.
Some of whom might fight back if provoked, adding an MMO-like twist, alongside a Grand Theft Auto-style Star-Wanted system where your actions shape the world’s reactions and enemy encounters.
The game also offers branching quests and dialogue choices for deeper storytelling, wrapped in sharp hand-drawn anime art and a solid soundtrack, with cinematic boss fight animations that steal the show.
Story and Setting
As a Returner in Rewinding Cadence, you start at the story’s end with 42 days to prevent the world’s collapse, drawing from time-loop tales like Steins;Gate to let you explore bad endings and aim for better ones by rewinding time with the help of Chu, a mysterious spirit, alongside an elf girl and spirit companions, some paired with animal-like buddies.
The game’s detailed fantasy world faces the Corroding Tide, a doomsday prophecy, and the time-loop mechanic lets you dig into different fates and hidden secrets, making every cycle a chance to rewrite the narrative.
Trailers and Gameplay Footage
Here’s where you can check out the official trailers and gameplay for Rewinding Cadence as of June 16, 2025:
Announcement Trailer
Combat Gameplay (Boss Fight)
Exploration Gameplay
Pre-Registration and Availability
- Pre-Registration: Open for Android in China through BiliBili. No word on global sign-ups or beta tests yet.
- Global Release: The English trailer makes it seem like a worldwide launch could happen, but nothing’s set in stone.
- Gacha Elements: It’s a gacha game, so expect character collecting and some in-app purchases. The story and mechanics are what might help it stand out in the packed gacha market.
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