Recently, game producer Huai Hongwen shared his insights on the similarities and differences between game development at AAA studios and indie studios at the 2025 Game Industry Annual Conference forum. He noted that the development team for *Loulan: Cursed Sands* consists of only 16 people and operates through a collaborative model spanning multiple regions and countries.With over a decade of experience in AAA game development, Huai Hongwen has previously worked on engine and pipeline development for major titles in genres such as shooters and sci-fi. Now leading a small-to-medium-sized team on this project, his core development philosophy centers on “prioritization”—team members typically wear multiple hats (for example, programmers handle design and balancing, while level designers also address art requirements), and resources are prioritized for core gameplay rather than pursuing polish across every aspect.
In October 2025, Liangyu Games officially unveiled its brand-new 3D action RPG, *Loulan: Cursed Sands*. The game’s promotional video on Bilibili garnered nearly 3 million views, quickly sparking heated discussion within the gaming community. Even more remarkable was the reaction of David Jaffe, the “Father of God of War,” who shared the game’s trailer on social media and exclaimed: “This game was developed by only 16 people?This is the real God of War!”
Set in the ancient Western Regions of Loulan, the game tells the story of an exiled royal guard who transforms into the skeletal warrior “Cursed Sand” and returns to the ancient kingdom to find his beloved princess. Core gameplay revolves around the “Dual Form System”: the Bone Form emphasizes strength and defense, while the Sand Form emphasizes agility and special abilities, allowing players to switch freely to tackle combat and puzzles.Combat features realistic top-down melee combat, supporting dynamic “one-versus-many” encounters. Sand abilities—such as sand darts and grappling hook interactions—can be used both to attack enemies and overcome environmental obstacles (e.g., constructing sand walls or manipulating shifting sands). The developers have explicitly stated that the game does not adopt a “Souls-like” design, meaning there are no strict mechanics or harsh death penalties. Additional difficulty options will be added in future updates to ensure a smooth combat experience.
Foreign media and gamers worldwide have given the game high praise: Push Square called it a “must-play PS5 title,” recommending it to fans of the classic PS2/PS3 *God of War* series, noting its fast-paced combat and top-down perspective that evokes the spirit of the early *God of War* games;Overseas players have praised its art style, calling it “better than Prince of Persia” and “like a Silk Road version of Prince of Egypt,” with many stating outright that they “will buy it on the first day of pre-orders.” David Jaffe went so far as to say that the game “combines hack-and-slash, exploration, and puzzle-solving, delivering the adventure experience I’ve been seeking since God of War,” calling it “a true God of War-style game.”
Currently, *Loulan: The Cursed Sands* has been selected for the third phase of Sony Interactive Entertainment’s “China Stars Program.” Store pages for the game are now live on both Steam and Epic Games, and pre-orders are open; however, a release date has not yet been announced. Producer Huai Hongwen stated that the team will continue to focus on refining combat and gameplay, adopting a “small but polished” approach to deliver a unique exploration and combat experience set in a fantasy world inspired by ancient Western Regions.
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