Kowloon Walled City has fascinated game developers for decades, and now indie studio Oni Craft is taking their shot at recreating the infamous Hong Kong settlement. Walled Haven dropped its announcement trailer on December 18, 2025, revealing an open-world action game that blends Shenmue’s life simulation elements with old-school beat ’em up combat, all wrapped in nostalgic PS1-era visuals.
Where Kung Fu Decides Everything
Walled Haven drops players into a dystopian version of the Walled City, a sprawling metropolis where survival depends entirely on your fighting skills. The setting draws clear inspiration from the real Kowloon Walled City, the densely packed Hong Kong enclave that existed from the 1950s until its demolition in 1994. That lawless settlement became legendary for its maze-like architecture, self-governing communities, and complete absence of government oversight.
Oni Craft’s interpretation transforms this historical curiosity into a full-blown action playground. Players explore interconnected districts, each with distinct themes and dangers. The city’s dungeons hold secrets about its ancient past, while every street corner presents opportunities or threats. The core philosophy is simple but brutal: Kung Fu determines who stands and who falls in this concrete jungle.
Beat ‘Em Up Meets Life Sim
Combat sits at Walled Haven’s heart with fast-paced, hand-to-hand fighting inspired by classic brawlers. Players battle gang thugs, street fighters, and powerful Kung Fu masters using both traditional weapons and improvised everyday objects. The progression system lets you learn new Kung Fu techniques and train to improve your skills, creating a satisfying loop of getting stronger to take on tougher opponents.
But Walled Haven isn’t just about throwing punches. The game incorporates deep life simulation mechanics that fans of Shenmue and Yakuza will recognize immediately. You can build friendships with local residents, pursue romance options and go on dates, work part-time jobs to earn money, and customize your character’s appearance. This blend of brutal street fighting and slice-of-life activities creates an interesting contrast that defines the game’s identity.
That PS1 Aesthetic
Walled Haven commits fully to its retro visual style, recreating the low-polygon look of PlayStation 1 games. This aesthetic choice isn’t just nostalgia bait. The PS1 era produced some of gaming’s most atmospheric titles, and that slightly rough, textured appearance can create a unique mood that modern hyper-realistic graphics sometimes miss. Given the Walled City’s grimy, chaotic nature, the old-school visuals might actually enhance the oppressive atmosphere Oni Craft is building.
The announcement trailer showcases various environments within the city, from cramped alleyways to more open areas. The retro graphics give everything a dreamlike, almost surreal quality that fits the dystopian setting. Players who grew up with games like the original Silent Hill or early Resident Evil titles will feel right at home navigating these chunky, atmospheric streets.
Shenmue Fans Finally Eating
Reddit communities dedicated to Shenmue immediately picked up on Walled Haven’s similarities to Yu Suzuki’s cult classic series. The combination of martial arts combat, daily life simulation, mystery-solving, and Asian urban environments creates strong parallels. Shenmue fans have been starved for games that capture that specific formula, especially after Shenmue 3’s mixed reception in 2019.
Walled Haven seems positioned to fill that niche. The promise of exploring a living city, uncovering forgotten history, training in martial arts, and building relationships with NPCs hits all the notes that made Shenmue special. Add in elements borrowed from Yakuza’s approach to side activities and mini-games, and you have a recipe that could attract fans of both franchises who want something fresh but familiar.
Kowloon’s Gaming Legacy
Walled Haven joins a growing list of games inspired by Kowloon Walled City. The settlement’s unique architecture and lawless reputation have appeared in everything from Call of Duty: Black Ops to Shadowrun: Hong Kong. The 2024 Hong Kong film Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In recently renewed mainstream interest in the location, making this an opportune time for a game dedicated to the setting.
What sets Walled Haven apart is its commitment to making the city itself the star. Rather than using Kowloon as window dressing for a few levels, Oni Craft built their entire game around exploring and surviving in this dangerous place. The interconnected districts, hidden dungeons, and emphasis on discovering the city’s secrets suggest a deep, explorable world that rewards curiosity.
FAQs
When is Walled Haven coming out?
Oni Craft hasn’t announced a specific release date yet. The announcement trailer dropped on December 18, 2025, revealing the game is currently in development. The game is available for wishlisting on Steam, but no launch window has been confirmed.
What platforms will Walled Haven be on?
Based on the Steam page, Walled Haven is confirmed for PC. The developer hasn’t announced console versions yet, though indie games often expand to other platforms after initial PC launches.
Who is developing Walled Haven?
Oni Craft is the indie developer behind Walled Haven. They’re a relatively unknown studio, and this appears to be their debut project gaining significant attention from gaming communities.
What games is Walled Haven similar to?
Walled Haven draws heavy inspiration from Shenmue and Yakuza series, combining open-world exploration, martial arts combat, life simulation elements, and mystery-solving. The PS1-era graphics give it a retro feel reminiscent of classic PlayStation titles.
Is the Walled City based on a real place?
Yes. The game’s setting is inspired by Kowloon Walled City, a real settlement in Hong Kong that existed from the 1950s until 1994. It was famous for its extreme population density, self-governing structure, and lack of government oversight, creating a lawless urban maze.
What kind of gameplay does Walled Haven have?
The game features beat ’em up combat with Kung Fu fighting, open-world exploration across interconnected districts, dungeon crawling, character training and progression, life simulation with friendships and romance options, part-time jobs, and character customization.
Will there be multiplayer in Walled Haven?
The announcement trailer and available information focus entirely on single-player features. No multiplayer modes have been mentioned, suggesting Walled Haven is a solo experience focused on story and exploration.
Conclusion
Walled Haven arrives at the perfect moment for fans hungry for Shenmue-style adventures. Oni Craft’s ambitious blend of beat ’em up action, life simulation, and open-world exploration set against Kowloon’s gritty backdrop could fill a gap that major publishers have ignored for years. The PS1 aesthetic might polarize some players, but it gives the game a distinctive identity in a market saturated with photorealistic graphics. Whether Oni Craft can deliver on these promises remains to be seen, but the concept alone has already captured attention from communities desperate for games that capture that classic Asian action-adventure feel. Keep an eye on this one.