Samurai Steampunk RPG Shadow of the Road Confirms 2026 Release

Publisher Owlcat Games and developer Another Angle Games have officially announced that their new turn-based RPG Shadow of the Road is scheduled to launch for PC in 2026.

The game will be available on Steam, the Epic Games Store, and GOG.

The announcement, which included a new trailer, confirmed the game’s unique setting and core mechanics.

Shadow of the Road is set in an alternative history version of Japan in 1868, amidst the Bakumatsu-Japan period and the height of the Boshin War.

This pivotal time in history, which saw the end of the feudal Tokugawa Shogunate, is reimagined as a brutal civil war where traditionalist Shogun forces clash with the technologically advanced army of Emperor Mutsuhito, who is supported by the corporate influence of the British East Nippon Company.

The world is a dramatic crossroads where ancient temples stand alongside towering, steam-powered machines, and the forces of magic and machinery violently intertwine.

The narrative plunges players into a daring mission led by a Tokugawa spymaster, who recruits the rōnin Satoru and Akira to safeguard a mysterious young boy with uncontrollable powers.

As new heroes join their cause, the team confronts escalating dangers and navigates a branching story where every decision holds weight.

Player choices guide character paths, shaping relationships, forming new bonds, or severing lifelong friendships, with these decisions influencing both the narrative and combat outcomes.

Gameplay is centered on classic, turn-based combat with a tactical samurai flair, reminiscent of strategy RPGs.

Players take on the role of master strategist, guiding a team where each character brings their own skills and abilities to the battlefield.

The personal goals and relationships of the team members influence every encounter, forcing players to master these social and strategic dynamics to dominate against enemies like magical yōkai and deadly steampunk contraptions.

Another Angle Games is composed of seasoned developers who have experience on projects such as “The Witcher” series, “Outriders”, and “Ghostrunner”.

The publisher, Owlcat Games, is known for its extensive work on narrative-driven RPGs, including the “Pathfinder” series and “Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader”.

A playable demo for Shadow of the Road is currently available on Windows PC via Steam, giving players a chance to experience the tactical combat and early narrative beats ahead of the full release.