Key information
Seventeen years after its original Nintendo Wii debut, Vanillaware is bringing Muramasa: Revenant Blades to PC. This 2D action title features 108 unique swords, each tied to a specific skill. Director Wataru Nakanishi explains that the game centers on a cooperative relationship between the protagonists and the legendary swordsmith Muramasa, who requires souls to forge powerful, albeit cursed, weaponry.
The update introduces a revamped skill system, allowing players to equip three ground and three air abilities to their active blades. Previously, players were restricted to a single skill tied to their current katana, which Nakanishi notes limited gameplay variety. Now, players can chain complex combinations, such as launching enemies with fire before following up with aerial strikes.
Combat has been adjusted to accommodate these changes. Enemies no longer scale with the player, featuring fixed levels across the map instead. On higher difficulties, players must manage their sword durability carefully; blocking too many attacks causes blades to snap, leaving the character vulnerable. Success requires fluid movement and frequent weapon switching to maintain offensive momentum.
To achieve the HD release, artists manually recreated and touched up assets from the original game. The title includes additional characters from the 2013 Vita version, each with unique storylines. While Vanillaware currently has no specific plans for further PC ports, Nakanishi expressed hope that the success of this release might encourage future projects.
