Loulan: The Cursed Sand Revealed as Skeleton Warrior RPG
A new action-RPG featuring a skeletal protagonist has been officially revealed. Loulan: The Cursed Sand will launch on PC and PS5, allowing players to control a bone warrior named Cursed Sand on a quest to rescue his princess. The game draws inspiration from Chinese folklore and the ancient Silk Road, creating a unique fantasy setting.
Developed by ChillyRoom with support from Sony’s China Hero Project, the game features a dual-form combat system. The protagonist can shift between Sand Form for human-like appearance and Bone Form for powerful combat stances. This mechanic enables dynamic gameplay transitions between exploration and intense battles.
Dual-Form Combat System
The transformation system serves as the core gameplay mechanic. In Sand Form, the character maintains a human appearance for social interactions and exploration. When combat begins, shifting to Bone Form unleashes enhanced abilities designed for one-against-many encounters. The golden sand powers provide both visual flair and tactical advantages.
Game director Hongwen Huai emphasized the team’s creative approach to Chinese mythology. The development includes veterans from Santa Monica Studio, From Software, and Platinum Games, blending their expertise in action gameplay. The retro-inspired top-down perspective combines classic arcade sensibilities with modern RPG elements.
Mythological Setting and Enemies
Players will encounter various factions inspired by Chinese legends, including the sun-powered Loulan royal family and frost-bound spiders of the Western Regions. The environments reimagine iconic landscapes through fantasy lenses, featuring vast deserts and flowing rivers of sand that serve both as setting and gameplay elements.
As part of a growing trend of Chinese folklore-inspired games, Loulan: The Cursed Sand joins upcoming titles like Where Winds Meet and Phantom Blade Zero. While no specific release date has been announced, the game represents another ambitious entry in the action-RPG genre from Eastern developers gaining international recognition.
