Sword and Fairy 4: Remake – The New Frontier of RPGs
The excitement surrounding the new Sword and Fairy 4: Remake trailer has sparked comparisons to the acclaimed Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. Many gamers are sensing a wave of imitation driven by the success of the 2025 Game of the Year. Similar to how numerous open-world games borrowed elements from The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild after its monumental impact, Sword and Fairy 4: Remake is already being regarded as part of this trend.
A Journey into Immortality
Publisher CubeGame recently announced that this single-player, turn-based RPG has been revamped using the advanced Unreal Engine 5. Players will embark on an adventure alongside Tianhe Yun’s team to uncover the hidden truths surrounding immortality. The accompanying trailer has garnered attention for its remarkable production values and engaging turn-based combat mechanisms.
Cinematic Combat Experience
The detailed combat animations and cinematic flair are what primarily draw parallels to Clair Obscur. The Sword and Fairy 4: Remake showcases dramatic battle sequences with motion blur effects and a seamless command wheel integrated directly into the gameplay. This design choice enhances the immersive experience, highlighting a trend within modern RPGs to offer hyper-realistic visuals, thanks to the capabilities of Unreal Engine 5.
Beyond the Buzzwords
While it’s easy to draw connections to popular titles, the history behind Sword and Fairy cannot be overlooked. Felipe Pepe, editor of The CRPG Book, critiques how media tends to simplify new releases from China, often reducing them to mere buzzwords. He emphasizes that, rather than being a mere clone, Sword and Fairy 4: Remake is a substantial and visually stunning remake of a classic RPG.
A Rich Legacy
Originating as the first entry in the series in 1995 for MS-DOS, The Legend of Sword and Fairy serves as a unique alternative to Final Fantasy by incorporating elements of Chinese mythology. Although it has not seen widespread localization outside East Asia, the series has adapted over the years. The most recent installment, Sword and Fairy 7, shifted to real-time combat, highlighting the franchise’s evolution.
Visual Comparisons and Criticism
Critics have pointed out that Sword and Fairy 4: Remake bears some resemblance to Clair Obscur, yet such comparisons often overlook the rich design history. Many turn-based RPGs inherently share visual similarities, especially when depicting fighters executing commands in a menu-centric approach.
Expanding the RPG Horizon
As RPG enthusiasts continue to explore diverse titles, there’s a real opportunity for Sword and Fairy 4: Remake to enrich players’ experiences. The blend of traditional gameplay mechanics with contemporary artistic choices might just pave the way for a new generation of turn-based RPGs.
