Steam game

First Sino-Japanese War

A free and open-source game about the First Sino-Japanese War and other pre-dreadnought battles in East Asia. A miniature-like wargame system, but without 3D models.

Free May 22, 2026

By January Desk

Windows
View on Steam
First Sino-Japanese War - January Desk. Popular. Released May 22, 2026
Screenshot of First Sino-Japanese War gameplay showing in-action mechanics Screenshot 2 of First Sino-Japanese War - additional gameplay view Screenshot 3 of First Sino-Japanese War - more gameplay footage Screenshot 4 of First Sino-Japanese War - final gameplay screenshot

Overview

About this game

First Sino-Japanese War is a free and open-source game covering naval tactical and strategic layers of the 1894–1895 war between China and Japan. The naval tactical combat system that uses a dynamic time step (e.g., 1 second per pulse) that can be played in turn (like 1 min turn) or real-time. Many of the core resolution mechanics are inspired by and digitally adapted from SEEKRIEG-style naval miniatures rules.

Features:

  • Historical battle scenarios like The Battle of Yalu River, one of most important yet underrepresented battle in the ironclad era. Some other historical or hypothetic scenarios in First Sino-Japanese War, Boxer Rebellion and Russo-Japanese are included as well.

  • Adjustable automation levels -- from manually controlling each weapon mount and FCS, to delegating partial or full fleet command to the AI. It's also possible to control both sides by hand at the same time.

  • A highly flexible editor that allows modification of ship classes (down to penetration and fire-control tables, armor, dynamic), detailed damage, environment and deployment. It should be easy to create custom battles beyond built-in scenarios.

  • The editor is integrated into the same interface as the normal gameplay mode, exposing all parameters and status data, allowing modifications and scenario generation at any time.

  • Quick battle in skirmish mode.

  • In LAN multiplayer mode, players can be assigned to command different parts of the OOB.

  • Open sourced game mechanism, no more black box and guesswork.

  • No 3D models—just ship counters (historical or generated line drawings) moving across the globe.

  • (Work-in-process) Campaign cover land combat resolution, supply, repairing, command chain and various action. The grand campaign scenario give a accurate description of the beginning of the war (25 July 1894) and model the followed dynamic.

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