Clone or coincidence, a Chinese RPG closely resembles Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 in review

The remake of an Asian classic sparks comparisons for its combat system and presentation.

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The success of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has not gone unnoticed, and titles that inevitably remind us of the French proposal are already emerging. The most striking case comes from China and takes the form of a remake of a very well-known RPG in Asia, whose new version has sparked debate due to its clear visual and playable similarities.

We’re talking about Sword and Fairy 4: Remake, a complete reinterpretation developed in Unreal Engine 5 that had been announced for some time, but now has shown new material focused on its combat system. And it’s precisely there that many players have raised an eyebrow.

A combat system that reminds us too much of Clair Obscur

Recent images of the remake show turn-based combat with a very similar interface to that of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. The HUD, the arrangement of character portraits, and the order of future actions directly evoke the RPG from Sandfall Interactive, to the point where it’s hard not to make immediate comparisons.

Although it’s not yet confirmed, some fragments suggest that the game could include active mechanics during turns, such as timed blocks or dodges. This detail has been one of the most commented-on features of Clair Obscur, and its possible presence here reinforces the feeling of “very close inspiration”.

That being said, it’s worth putting things into context: Sword and Fairy 4 is a saga with its own history and a narrative base that has been established for years in the Asian market. The remake aims to modernize its presentation and systems, and the use of Unreal Engine 5 may explain part of the visual similarity.

For now, there’s no confirmed release date for the West, but the parallel is already served. It remains to be seen if this remake will manage to differentiate itself with its own identity or if it will end up being remembered as the first “unofficial heir” of the Clair Obscur phenomenon.