Sword and Fairy 7 Review 2026 — Together Forever Story, Combat, PC Requirements & Safe Buying Guide
Sword and Fairy 7, also released internationally as Sword and Fairy: Together Forever, is a Chinese mythology-inspired action RPG from Softstar Technology. It launched on PC in 2021 and later came to PlayStation and Xbox. In 2026, it remains a visually beautiful and story-heavy RPG, but players should know that its English localization can feel uneven and its combat is not very difficult.
Quick verdict:
Play Sword and Fairy 7 if you want a beautiful, cinematic RPG based on Chinese mythology. Skip it if you need strong English writing, hard combat or open-world freedom.
Sword and Fairy 7 at a glance
| Game | Sword and Fairy 7 / Sword and Fairy: Together Forever |
| Developer | Softstar Technology / SoftStarlight |
| Publisher | CubeGame / SoftStarlight on Steam; Eastasiasoft on PlayStation western release; E-Home Entertainment on Xbox |
| Steam release | 21 October 2021 |
| Console release | PlayStation 4 / PlayStation 5 on 4 August 2022; Xbox One / Xbox Series X|S on 3 November 2022 |
| Genre | Action RPG, fantasy, xianxia, mythology |
| Voice / text | Chinese voice acting with English subtitle support |
| Steam Deck | Listed as Steam Deck Playable on Steam |
| Estimated length | Around 30+ hours for story and optional side content |
| Mode | Single-player |
What is Sword and Fairy 7?
Sword and Fairy 7 is part of the long-running Sword and Fairy series, also known in some markets as Chinese Paladin. The series has been important to Chinese-speaking RPG fans since the 1990s, but this entry is one of the most accessible for international players.
The story is set in a fantasy world shaped by humans, deities and demons. The main characters are Yue Qingshu, a young woman tied to the Mingshu Sect, and Xiu Wu, a deity stranded in the mortal world. Their relationship slowly grows from duty and caution into trust.
The game is heavily cinematic. It focuses on story scenes, character drama, mythology and emotional moments more than deep combat challenge or open-ended exploration.
Do you need to play earlier Sword and Fairy games first?
No. Sword and Fairy 7 works as a standalone story. You do not need to play the older games to understand the main plot, characters or world.
Long-time fans may notice returning themes, mythological ideas and series traditions, but new players can start here without major confusion.
Story and characters
The strongest part of the game is the relationship between Yue Qingshu and Xiu Wu. Yue is more direct and emotionally open, while Xiu Wu is formal, reserved and distant at first. Their partnership gives the story its best emotional moments.
The wider plot about gods, demons and human conflicts is more predictable, but the setting helps it feel different from many Western and Japanese RPGs. If you enjoy xianxia fantasy, ancient mythology and dramatic cutscenes, the story can be very enjoyable.
The main weakness is localization. The English subtitles make the story understandable, but some lines are awkward, stiff or unclear. The writing often feels stronger than the translation shows.
Combat review
Sword and Fairy 7 uses real-time action combat instead of the older turn-based systems associated with parts of the franchise. You control party members directly and can switch between characters during battle.
- Light and heavy attacks form the basic combo system.
- Character skills create flashier attacks and magical effects.
- Dodging is forgiving and easy to use.
- Party switching lets you change characters depending on the fight.
- Spirit creatures and upgrades add light progression systems.
The combat looks excellent. Animations are smooth, effects are colorful and many skills are visually impressive. However, the challenge is light. Enemies often give clear warnings before attacking, healing is generous and most encounters do not force deep mastery.
If you want stylish action and beautiful animations, the combat works. If you want demanding fights like Sekiro, Nioh or Black Myth: Wukong, this game may feel too easy.
How much of the game is cutscenes?
A lot. This is one of the most important things to know before buying. Sword and Fairy 7 is very story-forward and often uses long cutscenes between short gameplay sections.
The production values are strong. Character models, environments, music and cinematic direction are often better than many players expect from a mid-budget RPG. But the pacing can feel slow if you want constant gameplay.
Think of it as an interactive fantasy drama with action RPG sections, not a combat-first RPG.
How long is Sword and Fairy 7?
Most players should expect a story-focused RPG that can reach around 30 hours or more when side content is included. The game is not built around endless open-world grinding. Its value comes more from story, atmosphere, characters, boss encounters and cinematic presentation.
If you only follow the main path, it will feel more direct. If you explore side quests, mini-games and optional activities, the adventure lasts longer.
English localization warning
The game supports English text, but the localization is uneven. This does not make the game unplayable, but it does affect the experience.
- Some dialogue sounds stiff or unnatural.
- Some sentences require a second read to understand clearly.
- Menu and item descriptions can feel rough.
- There is no English voice dub.
The core story is still understandable, and the emotional relationship between the main characters comes through. But if polished English writing is very important to you, wait for a sale or consider watching gameplay first.
Dreamlike World expansion and editions
The Steam version offers extra content including the Dreamlike World Expansion and the soundtrack. If you are buying on PC, compare the base game with the bundle before purchasing.
On PlayStation, Eastasiasoft released standard and premium editions. The PlayStation release includes console-focused bonuses such as outfits and weapon skins depending on edition and region.
PC performance and settings
The game runs on Unreal Engine 4 and includes modern visual features such as ray tracing options and DLSS support on compatible NVIDIA hardware.
If performance is unstable, turn off ray tracing first. It is one of the most demanding settings and usually gives the biggest frame-rate improvement when disabled. If you have an RTX graphics card, DLSS can help maintain image quality while improving performance.
Because the game is very cinematic, a stable 60 FPS is more important than chasing the highest possible frame rate.
PC system requirements
Below are the official Steam system requirements.
| Component | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Windows 10 64-bit | Windows 10 64-bit; Windows 11 also suitable in 2026 |
| CPU | Intel Core i5 / AMD Ryzen 5 | Intel Core i5 / AMD Ryzen 5 |
| RAM | 8 GB | 16 GB |
| GPU | NVIDIA GTX 960 4GB | NVIDIA RTX 2060 Super |
| DirectX | Version 11 | Version 12 |
| Storage | 30 GB available space | 30 GB available space |
Is Sword and Fairy 7 worth playing in 2026?
Yes, but only for the right player. Sword and Fairy 7 is best for patient RPG fans who enjoy story, atmosphere, mythology and cinematic presentation more than challenge.
It is not the strongest action RPG mechanically, but it offers a mythological style rarely seen in mainstream international releases. If you are curious about xianxia storytelling and want something different from typical Western or Japanese RPGs, it is worth trying during a sale.
Best for:
Players who enjoy cinematic RPGs, Chinese mythology, xianxia fantasy, beautiful environments, story-heavy pacing and Chinese voice acting with subtitles.
Safe official links
Use official storefronts and publisher pages only. Avoid unofficial installers, modified game builds and unknown download mirrors because they may be unsafe, outdated or missing official patches.
- Steam: Sword and Fairy 7 on Steam
- PlayStation official publisher page: Sword and Fairy: Together Forever on Eastasiasoft
- Xbox: Sword and Fairy: Together Forever on Xbox Store
Buying tip:
Because the localization is imperfect and the game discounts often, waiting for a sale is smart. Check the language section, DLC details and edition content before buying.
More RPG guides from IGGG
If you enjoy story-driven games, fantasy adventures and action RPGs, check these clean IGGG guide pages next:
- Hollow Knight: Silksong review — a beautiful, brutal adventure
- More RPG guides on IGGG
- More action RPG guides on IGGG
Sword and Fairy 7 FAQ
Is Sword and Fairy 7 the same as Sword and Fairy: Together Forever?
Yes. Sword and Fairy: Together Forever is the international console title used for Sword and Fairy 7.
Is Sword and Fairy 7 the same series as Chinese Paladin?
Yes. The series is also known as Chinese Paladin in some English-speaking markets.
Do I need to play earlier Sword and Fairy games first?
No. Sword and Fairy 7 tells a standalone story with new characters.
Does Sword and Fairy 7 have English voice acting?
No. The game uses Chinese voice acting with English subtitle support.
Is Sword and Fairy 7 open world?
No. It is mostly linear, with larger areas to explore, side quests, mini-games and optional activities.
How long is Sword and Fairy 7?
Expect around 30 hours or more if you play the main story and optional side content.
Is Sword and Fairy 7 Steam Deck playable?
Yes. Steam lists Sword and Fairy 7 as Steam Deck Playable, but players may still need to adjust settings for the best experience.
Is Sword and Fairy 7 on Xbox?
Yes. Sword and Fairy: Together Forever is available on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S.
Is Sword and Fairy 7 on Nintendo Switch?
No official Nintendo Switch version is listed for Sword and Fairy 7 / Together Forever.
Is Sword and Fairy 7 worth playing in 2026?
Yes, if you enjoy cinematic RPGs, Chinese mythology and story-heavy gameplay. It is less ideal if you want polished English writing or difficult combat.
Final verdict
Sword and Fairy 7 is a visually striking RPG with a sincere story, likable leads and a mythological world that feels different from many mainstream RPGs. Its best moments come from atmosphere, music, cinematic direction and the relationship between Yue Qingshu and Xiu Wu.
Its weaknesses are clear: the English localization is uneven, the combat is easy, and the pacing is heavy with cutscenes. For patient RPG fans, especially during a sale, it is still worth considering.
Best for: fans of xianxia storytelling, Chinese mythology, cinematic RPGs and subtitle-based story games.
Skip if: you want challenging combat, strong English localization, open-world design or constant gameplay with fewer cutscenes.
Facts checked with official Steam, Xbox and Eastasiasoft pages. Last updated: 6 October 2026.