Vanillaware
Vanillaware business and news from across the web.
This week in PC games: Stardew Valley plus vampires, a lavish gamebook RPG, and Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced, finallyThis week's PC game releases include the remake Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag Resynced, the gamebook RPG Veritas Tales: Witch of the Dark Castle, and various indie titles like Cosmodrill and Mothkeep. News includes potential job cuts at Microsoft and studio closures, while previews of Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag Resynced and interviews are also mentioned.- Final trailer now live for Veritas Tales: Witch of the Dark Castle — a "reading-style" fantasy adventure from a 30-year industry veteran formerly of Vanillaware.The final trailer for Veritas Tales: Witch of the Dark Castle has been released ahead of its July 8th launch on PC via Steam. Developed by Yoshio Nishimura, a 30-year industry veteran formerly of Vanillaware, the "reading-style" fantasy adventure features over 300 hand-drawn illustrations and offers branching narrative paths. A demo is also available on Steam and has received a "Very Positive" rating.
The 10 best games I played during Steam Next Fest: June 2026 editionThis article highlights ten notable games showcased during the June 2026 Steam Next Fest, featuring a diverse range of indie titles. Despite the overwhelming number of demos, the author found several promising games, including Moss: The Forgotten Relic, FISH, and GEPPY-X, maintaining optimism for the future of gaming.
Veritas Tales: Witch of the Dark Castle is an ode to Game Books and human-made artVeritas Tales: Witch of the Dark Castle is a unique game inspired by Japanese Gamebooks, developed over six years by former Vanillaware artist Yoshio Nishimura. The game features a tactile UI that mimics a physical gamebook with a character sheet, and boasts gorgeous, hand-drawn art. It is set to release on PC in 2026 and is presented as an ode to human-made art in contrast to AI-generated content.- A "reading-style" fantasy adventure in the spirit of The NeverEnding StoryA demo for Veritas Tales: Witch of the Dark Castle, a handcrafted fantasy adventure inspired by The NeverEnding Story, is now available during Steam Next Fest. Developed over six years by Yoshio Nishimura, a 30-year veteran from Vanillaware, the game features over 300 unique illustrations and emphasizes player choice and dice-based mechanics.
Vanillaware seemingly want their other games on PC too, but if you want that to happen, talk to their publishersVanillaware founder George Kamitani has expressed a desire to bring more of the studio's games, such as 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim and Dragon's Crown, to PC. However, the decision and financing for these ports ultimately lie with the publishers. While Muramasa: The Demon Blade is confirmed for PC, fans interested in other titles are encouraged to voice their demand to the respective publishers.
'Make some noise': Vanillaware reportedly wants more of its games on PC, but it's up to the publishersVanillaware founder George Kamitani reportedly desires to bring more of the studio's games to PC, but publisher financing is required for ports. Games journalist James Mielke relayed Kamitani's sentiment, stating that fan demand could influence publishers to finance ports of titles like 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim, Dragon's Crown, and Odin Sphere. While a PC version of Muramasa: The Demon Blade is confirmed, the studio's back catalog remains largely unavailable on the platform.- Muramasa: Revenant Blades AnnouncedMarvelous USA and Vanillaware have announced Muramasa: Revenant Blades, an updated version of the 2013 PlayStation Vita title Muramasa: Rebirth. This revival is based on the original 2009 action RPG, Muramasa: The Demon Blade.
Vanillaware's Underrated Wii Gem Returns On Switch 1 & 2 Early Next YearVanillaware's acclaimed Wii action RPG Muramasa: The Demon Blade is returning as Muramasa: Revenant Blades for Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 5 in early 2027. This new version is an overhaul of the 2013 PlayStation Vita remaster Muramasa Rebirth, and will include all previously released DLC characters and stories, along with 4K resolution support, new combat systems, and additional modes.
25+ PS5, PS4 Games to Buy in PS Store's Mid-Year Deals SaleSony's PlayStation Store is hosting a Mid-Year Deals sale featuring numerous discounts on PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4 games until July 1st. The article highlights recommended titles such as 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim, Another Crab's Treasure, and Blasphemous, many of which are at their lowest prices ever.- 40+ PS5, PS4 Games to Buy in PS Store's Mid-Year Deals SaleSony's PlayStation Store is hosting a Mid-Year Deals sale featuring numerous PS5 and PS4 games until July 1st. The article highlights recommended titles such as 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim, Anger Foot, and Another Crab's Treasure, many of which are at their lowest prices.
- 30+ PS5, PS4 Games to Buy in PS Store's Mid-Year Deals Sale (North America/Europe)Sony's PlayStation Store is hosting a Mid-Year Deals sale, offering discounts on numerous PS5 and PS4 games until July 1st. The sale includes titles like '13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim', 'Anger Foot', and 'Another Crab's Treasure', with some games reaching their lowest prices ever. Push Square has curated a list of recommended titles that have received high scores.
PS5 Players Surprised With Enhanced Port of Hit PS Vita RPGAn enhanced port of the PlayStation Vita RPG Muramasa: Revenant Blades is coming to PlayStation 5 in early 2027 for $49.99. Originally released as Muramasa: The Demon Blade for the Nintendo Wii in 2009 and later as Muramasa Rebirth, this new version will feature a brand-new localization, English voiceovers, and 4K support.
We're finally getting a Vanillaware game on PC - Muramasa: Revenant Blades, an expanded 4K edition of the gorgeous Japanese action RPGVanillaware is bringing an expanded 4K version of their 2009 action RPG Muramasa: The Demon Blade, titled Muramasa: Revenant Blades, to PC. This new edition includes content from the PlayStation Vita port Muramasa: Rebirth and the Genroku Legends DLC. The game is set for release next year and features detailed sprite art, varied combat, and mature themes.
Legendary JRPG studio's 23-year shun of the PC has ended: the next Vanillaware game will come to SteamVanillaware, a studio known for its acclaimed console titles, has announced that its next game, Muramasa: Revenant Blades, will be released on PC via Steam in 2027. This marks the first time the Japanese developer will bring a game to the PC platform. The revamped action RPG will include new combat systems, weapon systems, and additional modes, alongside the previously released Genroku Legends expansion.
Famed Japanese dev Vanillaware is bringing one of its best action RPGs to PC in a historic firstVanillaware is bringing its action RPG Muramasa: The Demon Blade to PC in 2027, marking the studio's first-ever release on the platform. The game, originally launched on the Wii in 2009, will also receive updated visuals and new features. This move opens the possibility for future Vanillaware titles, such as Unicorn Overlord, to also be released on PC.
Nintendo Direct June 2026: Every Announcement, Game Reveal & TrailerNintendo showcased a packed Nintendo Direct presentation featuring numerous game announcements and trailers for the Nintendo Switch 2. Highlights included new titles like Rhythm Heaven Groove, Onimusha: Way of the Sword, Stellar Blade, and Xenoblade Genesis, alongside updates and expansions for existing franchises such as Dragon's Dogma 2, Pokémon Pokopia, and Final Fantasy XIV Online.
Reaction: A Direct That Picked Up Pace For A Breathtaking FinishThe latest Nintendo Direct showcased a strong lineup of first- and third-party titles, including new entries in the Xenoblade series and a remake of Muramasa: The Demon Blade. The presentation also featured updates on Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave, Splatoon, and a surprise reveal of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time for 2026.
Muramasa: Revenant Blades Revealed for Switch 2, PS5, and PCMarvelous USA has announced Muramasa: Revenant Blades, a revival of Vanillaware's 2D action-RPG Muramasa: Rebirth, for Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, and PC in early 2027. This new version includes all six playable storylines from the start, updated visuals up to 4K, refined combat, and new localization with full English voiceover. Physical and limited editions will be available for purchase.
Vanillaware’s Muramasa: Rebirth Returns as Muramasa: Revenant BladesVanillaware's action-RPG Muramasa: The Demon Blade and its enhanced version Muramasa: Rebirth are being re-released as Muramasa: Revenant Blades. The new version will launch in 2027 for Nintendo Switch, a next-generation Switch console, PlayStation 5, and PC, including all previously released content and characters.