Loulan: The Cursed Sand Is a Chinese Hack ‘n’ Slash ARPG Where You Play as a Skeletal Warrior

Indie Chinese developer ChillyRoom has officially unveiled Loulan: The Cursed Sand, a visually stunning hack ‘n’ slash action RPG developed under the PlayStation China Hero Project, an initiative supporting promising studios from China. The game promises a unique blend of fast-paced combat, tragic storytelling, and striking world design inspired by the ancient Silk Road and the long-lost Kingdom of Loulan.

Presented from a Diablo-style top-down camera perspective, Loulan: The Cursed Sand takes players deep into a mysterious desert world. The story follows an exiled royal guard who returns to the fallen kingdom of Loulan amidst the chaos of war, driven by love and loss as he searches for his beloved princess. Reborn as a skeletal warrior known as “The Cursed Sand,” players will wield the mystical power of sand to battle, explore, and uncover secrets buried beneath the ruins of this once-great civilization.

Players will be able to seamlessly switch between bone and sand forms, each offering different combat dynamics and story-driven interactions. The game’s combat system emphasizes strategic melee battles, realistic animations, and environmental awareness, forcing players to adapt their tactics against swarms of enemies and challenging elite foes. The developers promise diverse regional biomes, handcrafted levels, and cinematic storytelling intertwined with puzzle-solving and exploration.

In addition to its single-player narrative, Loulan: The Cursed Sand encourages experimentation through a wide range of abilities and weapon combinations. The terrain design, enemy compositions, and intricate level layouts create a gameplay experience that blends fluid action with tactical depth. From large-scale battles to intense one-on-one duels against colossal bosses, the game aims to test both skill and reflex.

While Loulan: The Cursed Sand does not yet have a confirmed release date, it has been announced for PlayStation 5, PC via Steam and Epic Games Store.

With its haunting desert atmosphere, emotional story of love and loss, and fluid combat design, Loulan: The Cursed Sand looks to be one of the most ambitious titles to emerge from China’s growing indie scene. It will undoubtedly be a title worth following as more details surface.

What do you think of this haunting take on the Silk Road legend? Will you be diving into Loulan’s cursed sands when it releases?