City of Darkness: The Kowloon Walled City in Games

A list of games that depict the Kowloon Walled City itself or feature environments inspired by it.

The Kowloon Walled City was a densely populated and largely ungoverned enclave of China within the boundaries of Kowloon City, Hong Kong. Built as an Imperial Chinese military fort, the walled city became a de jure enclave after the New Territories were leased to the United Kingdom in 1898. Its population increased dramatically after the end of the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong during World War II, attracting mostly refugees fleeing the renewed Chinese Civil War. By 1990, the walled city contained 50,000 residents within its territory of 6.4 acres. From the 1950s to the 1970s, it was controlled by local triads and had high rates of prostitution, gambling, and drug abuse. In January 1987, the Hong Kong government announced plans to demolish the walled city. After an arduous eviction process, and the transfer of de jure sovereignty of the enclave from China to Britain, demolition began in March 1993 and was completed in April 1994. Years later, the Kowloon Walled City enclave is still a source of inspiration due to its disconcerting aesthetic and evocation of unchecked urban development.

Unconfirmed/Edge Examples:
Bujingai
Final Fight 2
Saints Row: Gat Out of Hell
Wet
Wild Arms 4 (?)

Not on Backlogdd:
光輝歲月 / “Glorious Years” (2015, Lakoo, iOS/Android)

Kowloon's Gate depicts a world where the Kowloon Walled City mysteriously reappears from the "World of Yin". The result is a surreal and cyberpunk-influenced take on the city.
The game is described as a JRPG set in a "surreal world inspired by Kowloon Walled City".
The game takes place in Kowloon Walled City.
Though fictionalized, the version of Kowloon depicted in Shenmue II is clearly based on the Walled City.
Poisawan from Chris' chapter is inspired by Kowloon Walled City.
The mission 'City of Darkness' takes place in a recreation of the original Walled City.
Kowloon stage.
Level 6 takes place in the "Slums of Kowloon," including some tightly packed streets resembling those of the Walled City.
Walled City 99
According to the Art of Deus Ex Universe, the Útulek Complex was inspired by the Kowloon Walled City
According to the devs, the first level is inspired by Kowloon Walled City.
The game appears to be set in the Kowloon Walled City.
Despite taking place in the 1920s, the game includes a depiction of the Walled City closer to its 1980s incarnation.
The unnamed city in Riot City is visually inspired by the Kowloon Walled City.
The China stage features the Kowloon Walled City in the background.
Stan Liu said in an interview that he "drew heavily on the masterful photographic works of Ryuji Miyamoto’s Kowloon Walled City for moods, camera angles and lighting" during Fear Effect 1 & 2's development.
Stan Liu said in an interview that he "drew heavily on the masterful photographic works of Ryuji Miyamoto’s Kowloon Walled City for moods, camera angles and lighting" during Fear Effect 1 & 2's development.
Concept art for the game featured massive, densely packed structures that Art Director Daniel Dociu said were inspired by the Walled City.
Digimon Cyber Sleuth duology large portions of the digital world you explore are called 'Kowloon' and "Under Kowloon" respectively. Both have several stories you can move between and seem to be haphazard, densely packed structures.
Digimon Cyber Sleuth duology large portions of the digital world you explore are called 'Kowloon' and "Under Kowloon" respectively. Both have several stories you can move between and seem to be haphazard, densely packed structures.

2 Comments


10 months ago

I love this type of list. Kowloon’s Walled City has always been fascinating to me, despite its demolition taking place before I was born. I was happy to visit it in Shenmue II and Stranglehold and look forward to vicariously experiencing the environment in more games

10 months ago

it's smaller in scope, but there's an upcoming indie with a free prequel chapter directly inspired by the Kowloon Walled City! appreciate your lists as always


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