The debut trailer for Sword and Fairy 4 Remake has arrived, and early reactions center on its apparent resemblance to Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 in both combat presentation and camera work. Developed by Chinese studio Up Software and published by Cube Game, Sword and Fairy 4 Remake is a single-player turn-based RPG built in Unreal Engine 5. It is scheduled for release on PC and consoles, with the official trailer titled “Unpredictable Divine Will.”
The Legend of Sword and Fairy franchise sits among China’s longest-running RPG sagas, spanning nine mainline entries and a broad array of spinoffs. Sword and Fairy 4 is the fifth mainline installment and functions as a prequel to Sword and Fairy 3. The most recent release, Sword and Fairy 7, launched in 2021, with an English version arriving in 2022 as Sword and Fairy: Together Forever on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S. Observers note the series’ ongoing evolution alongside contemporary turn-based RPG design, with the new remake entering a discourse already energized by Clair Obscur: Expedition 33’s momentum.
Reaction among fans has been mixed, with a portion accusing Up Software of borrowing from Sandfall’s approach. One commenter wrote, "Totally not copy and paste combat, style, parry, from Clair Obscur Expedition 33." Another asked, "Is this DLC of Expedition 33?" and a third quipped, "We got Expedition-like genre now." Others push back, arguing that Sword and Fairy 4 Remake represents a contemporary, Persona-inspired take on modern turn-based RPG design while still drawing from the broader lineage of the Legend of Sword and Fairy series.
Cube Game has said that an English version of the trailer will be revealed in the coming days by a regional publisher, with additional details to follow. The debate surrounding Sword and Fairy 4 Remake unfolds as Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 rides a wave of renewed interest after taking Game of the Year at The Game Awards 2025 and following a surprise DLC drop from Sandfall Interactive. In this context, the two titles are often discussed in tandem as examples of how contemporary RPGs borrow and reinterpret established archetypes.
Wesley Yin-Poole, IGN News Editor, frames the report within a broader trend of new expedition-inspired design and the ongoing conversation about originality in turn-based RPGs. As more official information surfaces, publishers anticipate clarifying how Sword and Fairy 4 Remake positions itself within the PC and Console market and what it means for the franchise’s future on multiple platforms. The English trailer update is expected soon, with further announcements likely in the days ahead.
