- Deep Night Games’ next title from ‘Dead Cells’ star Sébastien Bénart
- One-on-many martial arts action combining close-range and long-range weapons… ‘Joker’ system changing the city’s rules
Global indie game publisher Devolver Digital announced that it will officially release the highly anticipated stylish action roguelike ‘Tenjutsu’ on Nintendo Switch 2 and PC platforms in 2027.
‘Tenjutsu’ is attracting the attention of action game fans around the world as it is being developed by Deepnight Games, an independent developer founded by Sébastien Bénard, who made a name for himself as the core game designer of the global mega-hit ‘Dead Cells’.
The news of this release and platform expansion was announced via ‘Nintendo Direct,’ Nintendo’s official new game showcase. In particular, by officially confirming its release on Nintendo’s next-generation console, the ‘Nintendo Switch II,’ it has established itself as a key player in the next-generation indie lineup.
The new gameplay trailer released simultaneously with the announcement fully captures Deep Knight Games’ signature high-density pixel graphics and fast-paced, thrilling combat mechanics, raising gamers’ expectations.
The highly anticipated title whose platform and timing have been shrouded in secrecy since its initial reveal in 2024
‘Tenjutsu’ was first unveiled to the world in 2024 through Devolver Digital’s in-house showcase, ‘Devolver Direct’. At the time, it captivated attention with its unique visuals and action, but the specific release date and platform were completely shrouded in mystery.
For about two years afterward, no significant additional information or news was released, which aroused the curiosity of users, but through this Nintendo Direct announcement, the simultaneous release on Nintendo Switch 2 and PC platforms was confirmed, signaling a full-scale push into the global market.
A spokesperson for Devolver Digital, coinciding with the release of the platform and trailer, left an intuitive yet powerful remark stating, “This is the real deal,” expressing strong confidence in the unrivaled gameplay and quality of ‘Tenjutsu’ being developed by Deep Knight Games.
The desperate struggle of a former Yakuza unfolding in the neon-lit city of ‘Kuroboro’
‘Tenjutsu’ takes place in ‘Kuroboro,’ a glamorous yet dark city packed with neon signs. The protagonist of the game is ‘Ten,’ a former Yakuza member who returns to her hometown after being released from prison following a long sentence, intending to settle her past and start a new life.
However, the three massive criminal organizations that already had complete control over the city’s underworld regarded Ten’s return as a major threat to their established power and began sending ruthless assassins to eliminate her forever.
Having taken up arms again to survive, Ten must fight against three organizations targeting him while mastering and honing sophisticated martial arts techniques and deadly weapons. In particular, the player’s strategic choices play a crucial role in this process.
This is because whenever Ten takes down an organization one by one, the remaining organizations are stimulated to reorganize their strength and evolve into even more powerful ones. Consequently, the organization that survives until the end becomes the most dangerous and deadly enemy, so you must carefully judge which organization to target first and at what timing, and plan your strategy accordingly.
Melee action combining close-range, long-range, and special weapons
The combat system of ‘Tenjutsu’ centers on fast-paced martial arts action that leaves no room to breathe against swarming enemies. Players must flexibly respond to the enemies’ fierce offensive by combining melee weapons boasting powerful impact, ranged weapons, and special weapons capable of turning the tide of battle in real-time.
In addition, by mastering and combining the diverse skills acquired as you progress through the game, you can freely establish your own unique combat style.
True to the nature of the roguelike genre, the neon city of Kuroboro, which the protagonist Ten roams, features a structure and layout that change randomly with each playthrough, offering the fun of a new exploration every time. In particular, by utilizing the ‘Joker’ system, a special in-game feature, players can directly alter the city’s unique rules to gain an advantage in combat and exploration.
For example, it is possible to create strategic variables, such as randomly installing vending machines throughout the field, changing the items and prices of shops to your liking, or recovering health in critical moments.
‘Tattooed Teeth,’ a special loot item obtained by eliminating enemies, is the game’s core permanent growth currency. Unlike typical roguelike games, this item does not disappear even if the character dies and the playthrough starts anew; it remains intact.
Players can collect these to expand the functions of their hideout or city, modify the overall rules of the game to their advantage, or permanently unlock powerful high-tier weapons to boost their chances of winning in the next challenge.
The city mystery found at ‘Grandma Hocken’s’ shop
The narrative and central story of ‘Tenjutsu’ unfold densely around the protagonist Ten’s sanctuary, his home, and ‘Grandma Hoken’s Ramen Shop’ located on the floor below the apartment.
If you visit this place after a fierce struggle and a run, you can engage in deep conversations with various customers over a warm bowl of ramen. Through these interactions, players will naturally come to understand the heavy secrets of the city of Kuroboro hidden behind the neon signs and the political climate of the underworld.
However, the ramen shop, a peaceful sanctuary, is not entirely a safe space either. Even amidst atmospheric conversations, enemies targeting Ten may suddenly raid the shop, creating tense situations.
As the game progresses and episodes accumulate, the massive mystery surrounding Kuroboro will be gradually unveiled, and the joys and sorrows and life trajectories of ordinary residents living in this harsh crime city will also be revealed, adding to the game’s immersion.
A project that started from the 48 hours of passion of the ‘Dead Cells’ protagonists
Deepnight Games, the developer of ‘Tenjutsu’, is an independent studio established by Sébastien Benard, the main game designer of the masterpiece action game ‘Dead Cells’ which swept the global market, to fully realize his development philosophy after leaving his former team, Motion Twin, in 2020.
According to major overseas game media, the new title ‘Tenjutsu’ is based on the prototype of the same name that Benar showcased at a game jam in 2022, where they had to develop a game in just 48 hours.
This is the result of refining a small-scale project that was praised at the time for its brilliant ideas and intense action over a long period and extensively expanding it into an official title.
“Tenjutsu,” a new stylish action roguelike game created by the developers of “Dead Cells,” is scheduled to be officially released globally in 2027 on Nintendo’s next-generation console, the Nintendo Switch 2, and PC platforms.
More detailed information about this work, which captures the desperate struggle of former Yakuza Ten and the secrets of the neon city of Kuroboro, as well as news about future updates, can be found on the publisher Devolver Digital’s official X (formerly Twitter) account (@DevolverKR).
Information related to ‘Tenjutsu’
| item | detail |
|---|---|
| Developer | Deepnight Games |
| Publisher | Devolver Digital |
| Genre | Action Roguelike |
| platform | Nintendo Switch 2, PC |
| Release date | 2027 (Detailed schedule TBD) |
| price | Undecided |
| language | Unconfirmed |
| Steam Page | Shortcut |
