Sword of Justice opens global pre-reg: bold no-P2W claim, beta dates, and a Switch 2 raffle

Why this announcement actually matters

Sword of Justice caught my eye for two reasons: it’s a Wuxia MMO promising no pay-to-win mechanics (a rarity in the F2P space), and it already has 40 million players in China. NetEase is bringing it West with global pre-registrations now live, a closed beta later this month, and the usual pre-reg rewards-a bundle of in-game goodies and even a shot at a “Nintendo Switch 2” in a raffle. Big claims, big numbers, and a genre we don’t get often in the West. The question is whether the game’s systems and monetization can actually match the marketing.

Key takeaways

• Global pre-registrations are live with milestone rewards up to five million sign-ups and a raffle that includes a “Nintendo Switch 2” prize.
• Closed beta runs Sept 26-Oct 9 for select regions (US, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Japan, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines); beta sign-ups close Sept 16.
• Free-to-play PC MMO with six classes and a strong Wuxia identity; Zhurong Studio says “no pay-to-win,” aiming for an even playing field.
• The real test will be monetization details, server performance, and whether the combat and progression loop respect your time.

Breaking down the announcement

Pre-registrations for Sword of Justice are open now, and the incentives are straightforward: sign up to bank launch-day rewards, with more unlocked as the tally climbs toward five million. There’s also a random draw for pre-registrants that dangles a “Nintendo Switch 2” console-worth noting Nintendo hasn’t officially named its next system yet, but the message is clear: NetEase wants attention beyond MMO diehards.

The closed beta is the real news for anyone curious about how this plays outside China. Registration closes Tuesday Sept 16, with servers opening Friday Sept 26 and running through Thursday Oct 9. The test is region-limited to the United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Japan, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and the Philippines. Europe is notably absent for this round, which could mean staggered testing or server rollout later.

On the gameplay front, Sword of Justice leans hard into a Northern Song Dynasty aesthetic-think sweeping river towns, mountain monasteries, silk and steel—and the kind of gravity-defying swordplay you expect from Wuxia stories. There are six classes (called schools), with a few standouts highlighted: Nightwakers are stealthy, sword-focused assassins; Bloodstrom is a spear-wielding frontline bruiser that can fight on horseback; Sylph serves as a healer/support; and Numina unleashes poisons and summons acolytes. The pitch is PvE, PvP, and social systems that all feed progression so you aren’t forced into a single lane.

The monetization question (and why I’m skeptical)

“No pay-to-win” in a free-to-play MMO is a bold promise, and NetEase knows Western players will be wary. We’ve seen how quickly communities sour when “cosmetics only” quietly becomes “convenience” and then slides into stat boosters and time-savers. The studio says it wants an even playing field where skill is what matters. Great—now show us the shop.

Here’s what I’ll be watching in beta and at launch: are there any power-boosting items in the cash shop (directly or via gacha)? Are there stamina limits or daily caps that “encourage” spending? How are PvP rewards balanced against PvE, and are ranked ladders insulated from wallet power? Is there a battle pass, and if so, does it gate meaningful progression? These details decide whether “no P2W” is a pillar or a tagline.

To be fair, we’ve seen Eastern MMOs adapt successfully for Western audiences when they commit to transparency and fair monetization—Lost Ark is a notable example, even if “convenience” items still spark debate. If Sword of Justice can stick to cosmetics and optional extras without nudging players into purchases, it has a shot at standing out.

What gamers should look for in the beta

• Combat feel: Does the Wuxia action deliver readable animations, satisfying impact, and build variety across the six schools? Horseback spear play sounds cool; it needs depth, not just spectacle.
• Latency and servers: With a multi-region test and an action-heavy combat model, netcode matters. Watch for desync, input delay, and PvP fairness.
• Progression pacing: How grindy are gear upgrades and skill unlocks? Are daily/weekly chores reasonable, or designed to stretch engagement?
• Localization quality: Wuxia thrives on tone and cultural nuance. Translation and VO will make or break immersion.
• Social systems: Guild tools, world events, and casual activities should matter. If the studio claims “equal progression paths,” crafting, exploration, and social play need real rewards.

Also keep an eye on accessibility: key rebinding, controller support on PC, UI scaling, and colorblind options. Not glamorous, but crucial if NetEase wants this to be more than a regional phenomenon with English subtitles.

Why Wuxia might finally click in the West

We’ve had flashes of mainstream interest in East Asian historical fantasy—Ghost of Tsushima proved there’s a huge appetite for grounded swordplay with sweeping vistas, and Black Myth: Wukong just showed that Chinese-developed action can dominate global discourse. MMOs are a different beast, but the timing is good. If Sword of Justice pairs its striking Northern Song setting with player-friendly systems, it could fill a niche we don’t currently have: a big-budget Wuxia MMO that respects your time.

The flip side is that Western releases of Chinese MMOs have struggled with long-term retention when the grind ramps or monetization creeps. Sword of Justice doesn’t need to be perfect at launch—but it does need to earn trust quickly. A clean beta with honest monetization disclosures would go a long way.

TL;DR

Sword of Justice is opening the gates: pre-reg now, play the closed beta Sept 26-Oct 9 in select regions, and snag some rewards (plus a flashy console raffle) along the way. The Wuxia setting looks great, but the real story is whether “no pay-to-win” holds under scrutiny. If Zhurong Studio sticks the landing, this could be the rare F2P MMO that wins hearts without raiding wallets.