This week’s Nintendo Direct presentation revealed an updated re-release of one of Vanillaware’s most beloved classics, Muramasa: The Demon Blade. Based on the 2013 PlayStation Vita version, Muramasa Rebirth, the upcoming Muramasa: Revenant Blades includes the entirety of the Genroku Legends DLC content from the Vita release into one package, now on coming to PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC via Steam in early 2027.
Muramasa: Revenant Blades promises to be the best version of Vanillaware’s Japanese folklore Action RPG, not only including all the previously released DLC chapters playable from the start (each including a new playable character shown off in this trailer) but also offering 4K resolution, all-new English voice acting and a new localization, and new gameplay modes. Marvelous offers this summary of the game’s story:
Deep in Japan’s past, a great conflict erupts over the ownership of fabled and powerful samurai swords forged by the legendary Senji Muramasa. These swords grant their owner both incredible power and a madness that can be sated only by blood. As various factions clash over these mythical weapons, demons and evil spirits drawn to the bloodshed rampage across the land. These fables explore the fates of six diverse characters whose lives are thrown into chaos by these revenant blades.
Long-time fans of the game will know how exciting this revisit is, especially a new localization. The original Wii version of Muramasa had an infamous localization, plagued by text space issues and poor translation quality. Rebirth was entirely re-localized by Aksys Games with some of the text space issues addressed and a much higher quality English script, but this version has been stuck on relatively niche and outdated PlayStation Vita hardware. A new localization without the text space issues that defined previous releases is incredibly exciting, and would make this new version worth purchasing on its own.
Even more exciting is that Muramasa: Revenant Blades marks the first PC release for developer Vanillaware. In years past, Vanillaware has brushed off questions about PC versions of their other popular console titles, like Unicorn Overlord and Dragon’s Crown. Hopefully this is a sign of good things to come for PC players interested in the studio’s artistically jaw-dropping output when Muramasa: Revenant Blades releases early next year.
Muramasa: Revenant Blades will be available in multiple physical versions alongside digital editions. The game’s standard edition for PS5 or Switch will retail for $49.99 USD, while the Switch 2 version will be $59.99 (this is not a Game-Key Card release; the full game will be on the cartridge). A Limited Edition, seen below, will include the game, art book, Musical Selections CD, and a 10”x14” byōbu folding screen with character art from the game. Marvelous also notes a “specially designed outer box,” but has not revealed the design yet. The Limited Edition will carry an MSRP of $89.99 (PS5, Switch)/$99.99 (Switch 2). All physical editions will open for pre-order soon through the Marvelous USA Online Store and other retailers.
Muramasa: Revenant Blades Media
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