Credits: Kwalee Ltd

The Spirit of the Samurai—a game in which each move and visual give pleasure—will launch on December 12, 2024, delivering to gamers a unique 2D stop-motion cinematic action-adventure experience inspired by Japanese mythology.

In The Spirit of the Samurai, players become Takeshi, a samurai determined to protect his village from an Oni and his undead army. The game's world draws inspiration from the dark art of Zdzisław Beksiński, and the monstrous designs of H.R. Giger. You'll navigate this eerie landscape as three characters: the samurai Takeshi, the kitten Chisai, and the forest spirit Kodama. Together, they embark on a journey to stop the demonic Shuten-dōji from conquering the realm. The game features stunning Ray Harryhausen-style stop-motion, offering a visually rich experience set in ancient Japan.

Key Features:

• Dynamic Character Play: Play as three distinct characters—Takeshi, a fierce samurai; Kodama, a courageous spirit; and Chisai, a warrior cat—each offering unique abilities and perspectives to the exploration and combat.
• Horror-Inspired Visuals: Traverse through meticulously crafted settings inspired by Japanese folklore, including abandoned villages, mystical caves, and eerie cemeteries.
• Strategic Combat and Exploration: Utilize authentic weapons of ancient Japan, such as the katana, yari spear, and bow, to execute powerful attacks and combos.
• Experience and Growth: Gain experience from every battle, enhancing abilities and unlocking new moves to create custom combos.
• Stop-Motion Visuals: Enjoy a visually striking stop-motion style that adds a unique aesthetic to the gameplay.

The full game challenge of Spirit of the Samurai will be available on PC via Steam starting December 12, with a demo currently available. It promises an unforgettable mix of horror and Land of Rising Sun mythology.

Kwalee is a multi-award-winning games publisher and developer based in Leamington Spa, UK, and has published a growing catalog of PC and console titles including Wildmender and ROBOBEAT along with upcoming titles The Precinct, The Spirit of the Samurai, Voidwrought, Hordes of Hunger, In Sink and GladiEATERS.

Founded by games industry icon and Codemasters co-founder David Darling CBE, who is joined by a team of global games experts with studios in the UK, India, Portugal, and China, Kwalee is on the lookout for high-quality games to publish on all platforms and encourages developers to get in touch.

Officially recognized as 'Best Publisher' (TIGA 2022), Kwalee is also highly active in the industry, as an ambassador of the not-for-profit organization Women in Games and a regular supporter of charities like Safe In Our World, GamesAid, and SpecialEffect.