In Conqueror's Blade: Three Kingdoms, we're bringing an unforgettable melody to a new stage—[On and on the Great River Rolls].
It was originally composed in 1994 as the theme for the classic TV series Romance of the Three Kingdoms. For hundreds of millions of viewers, it is the definitive sound of the Three Kingdoms era. Now, over thirty years later, it will be the very first song you hear when you enter Conqueror's Blade: Three Kingdoms.
We've officially licensed the track. Its composer, Gu Jianfen — a National First-Class Composer and one of China's most revered musicians, whose six-decade career has produced beloved works for film, TV, and the concert stage — shared a message with our warlords ahead of launch:
"This song once accompanied many as they looked back on the Three Kingdoms. Now, it will accompany you, the warlords of Conqueror's Blade: Three Kingdoms, as you step into that world. I hope that within this melody, you can hear the heroes of the past and fight your own epic battles."
The new arrangement was crafted by Epson Wu, a composer whose work spans film, games, and other media across China and the US.
Below is the version he and his team arranged for Conqueror's Blade: Three Kingdoms:
Footage is from a development build and does not represent final quality. Please refer to the official release.
Behind the Arrangement
From a classic that "looks back at history" to a game score that "charges into battle with you"—how do we make that leap?
We sat down with Epson Wu to find out:
One Melody, Seven Forms
Epson shared a key distinction: film music guides an audience through a story, while game music puts the player right inside it.
In a game, players don't follow a fixed script. Because of this, we couldn't just settle for one version.
We arranged seven versions of [On and on the Great River Rolls], covering three main scenarios:
Exploration & Marching: Grand and sweeping, capturing the sheer scale of the world and the steady march of your army.
Preparation: Subdued and tense, focusing on the Heroes, the rival factions, and the heavy weight of destiny.
Sieges & Charging: Intense and propulsive, using heavy percussion, deep bass, and roaring brass to drive the momentum of battle.
Together, they let one melody live many lives. In its quieter moments, it evokes vast landscapes and the weight of history. At full tempo, it fuels the war drums, the clash of steel, and the final charge.
To wrap up the interview, we asked Epson to summarize the theme song and Conqueror's Blade: Three Kingdoms in a single sentence:
"When the melody of [On and on the Great River Rolls] rises, you are no longer just a listener — you are the one holding the banner, deciding the course of the world. The Great River rolls on, but the story is yours to write."
The music is ready for the battlefield. 9 days to go until launch.
See you in the Three Kingdoms, Warlords.
