Sword and Fairy 4 Remake Trailer Draws Comparisons to Clair Obscur

The debut trailer for Sword and Fairy 4 Remake has sparked online debate regarding its resemblance to Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. Developed by Up Software and published by Cube Game, the game is a single-player turn-based RPG built in Unreal Engine 5.

Fans have drawn direct comparisons between the two titles, specifically noting similarities in the battle systems. The discussion centers on the visual presentation and gameplay mechanics featured in the "Unpredictable Divine Will" trailer.

The official trailer for Sword and Fairy 4 Remake was released on December 29, 2025, immediately attracting attention from the gaming community. The footage showcases a single-player turn-based role-playing game developed by Chinese studio Up Software and published by Cube Game. The game is currently confirmed for release on PC and consoles.

Many observers have noted striking similarities between the remake and the award-winning title Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. Specifically, fans have pointed out that the dynamic user interface and the action-heavy parry system appear very similar to those found in Sandfall Interactive's RPG.

Comparisons extend beyond just the user interface. The camera perspective and the way the camera moves during battle sequences have been described as rekindling memories of the popular Clair Obscur title. The trailer is officially dubbed "Unpredictable Divine Will."

The official description for the trailer reads: "Set off on a journey to find the immortals with Tianhe Yun’s team. In the meantime, a hidden truth that has been sealed for a long time is revealing itself."

Online reaction to the trailer has been mixed, with a vocal segment of the community accusing Up Software of borrowing heavily from Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. The timing of the release follows Clair Obscur's record-breaking haul at The Game Awards 2025, where it secured the coveted Game of the Year award.

Comments circulating on social media platforms reflect this sentiment. One commenter stated, "Totally not copy and paste combat, style, parry, from Clair Obscur Expedition 33." Another user asked rhetorically, "Is this DLC of Expedition 33?" while a third fan added, "We got Expedition-like genre now."

However, a counter-narrative exists among fans who believe the similarities are coincidental or stylistic rather than derivative. These supporters argue that Sword and Fairy 4 Remake simply looks like a modern turn-based RPG in the Persona style. They point to previous entries in the The Legend of Sword and Fairy series as evidence of the franchise's established credentials and unique identity.

The Legend of Sword and Fairy is a historic and highly successful Chinese video game franchise. It encompasses nine mainline role-playing games rooted in Chinese mythology and xianxia themes. The series first launched in 1995 for PC, achieving critical and commercial success across China, and has spawned numerous sequels and spinoffs over the decades.

Sword and Fairy 4 Remake is technically the fifth installment in the mainline franchise, though it serves as a prequel to the third game. The most recent mainline entry, The Legend of Sword and Fairy 7, was released in 2021. An English version of that title was released in 2022 for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X and S under the name Sword and Fairy: Together Forever.

The franchise has often been viewed as a domestic alternative to major Japanese RPG franchises like Final Fantasy. Notably, the development team behind Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has cited Final Fantasy as an inspiration for their own game.

Cube Game has announced plans to reveal an English version of the trailer in the coming days. This reveal is expected to be handled by a "regional publisher," suggesting a broader international marketing strategy for the title. Fans anticipate that this release will provide further details on the game's specific mechanics and narrative.

Meanwhile, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 continues to maintain a high profile in the industry. Following its success at The Game Awards 2025, the developers at Sandfall Interactive shadow-dropped downloadable content for the game during the ceremony, further fueling the current surge of interest in the title.