Devolver Digital announced that martial arts action roguelike Tenjutsu will launch on Nintendo Switch 2 and PC in 2027. During Nintendo Direct on the 29th, the publisher revealed the news of the Switch 2 release alongside a new gameplay trailer.
Tenjutsu is a single-player game developed by Deepnight Games and created by Sébastien Bénard, game designer of Dead Cells. First revealed at Devolver Direct 2024, players step into the shoes of former yakuza 'Ten' as she faces off against three syndicates targeting her.
The game is set in the neon-soaked streets of 'Kuroboro City'. Upon returning home from prison, 'Ten' attempts to rebuild her life, but the underground crime bosses view her release as a threat to their power. Pursued by their forces, 'Ten' must build on her martial arts foundation with new techniques and weaponry.
Combat features fast-paced martial arts action against multiple enemies at once. Players can craft their playstyle by combining melee, ranged, and special weapons, and must carefully choose which syndicate to tackle first. Each victory makes the surviving syndicates stronger, ensuring the final remaining faction becomes the most dangerous opponent.
The city layout changes randomly with each run, allowing players to freely explore and alter the environment themselves. 'Jokers' serve as a means to manipulate city rules in the player's favor, used to build vending machines, modify shop inventories, or restore health. 'Tattooed teeth' obtained from enemies act as permanent upgrades that persist across runs, which can be collected to expand the city, change gameplay rules, and unlock higher-tier weapons.
Between runs, the narrative continues at 'Ten's' apartment and Grandma Hoken's ramen shop downstairs. Various events unfold, such as visits from patrons or enemies, unraveling mysteries within everyday life and revealing what life is like in 'Kuroboro City'.
In conjunction with the reveal, a spokesperson for Devolver Digital remarked on Tenjutsu, calling it "the real deal."
