Vanillaware and publisher Marvelous have confirmed that Muram asa: Revenant Blades
What Is Muramasa: Revenant Blades?
Revenant Blades is an expanded remaster of the original Muramasa: The Demon Blade, a fast-paced action RPG developed by Vanillaware. Many players will remember the game from its PS Vita release, which was widely praised for its hand-drawn art style and fluid combat. The game originally launched on Wii before making its way to Sony’s handheld, and now it is heading to PS5 with a full 4K visual upgrade.
This is not a bare-bones port. Revenant Blades brings several additions to the table that fans of the original have not seen before. The remaster includes English voice over, an illustration gallery that should be a treat given Vanillaware’s reputation for stunning 2D artwork, and a dedicated character and animation viewer. For a studio whose art direction is one of its defining qualities, these additions seem like a natural fit.
Original Vita Version Also Included
One of the more interesting inclusions is the original PS Vita version of Muramasa, which is bundled into the package. This means players who prefer the unaltered experience have that option readily available without needing to track down aging hardware.
That said, Revenant Blades does make changes to the gameplay. According to Marvelous, the remaster will tweak and improve Muramasa’s combat system, though the publisher has not shared specific details on exactly what those adjustments involve. The press release from Marvelous states: “Variable gameplay styles and new modes give players more ways to play this classic adventure, and to appreciate the game’s magnificent art and animations from a fresh perspective.” Beyond that, concrete details on the mechanical changes remain sparse for now.
A Busy February for PS5
February 4 is shaping up to be part of a packed first quarter for PS5 releases. Muramasa: Revenant Blades will need to compete for attention in what is already a crowded release window, though Vanillaware’s dedicated fanbase will likely keep this one on their radar regardless.
Vanillaware’s Legacy and What This Release Represents
Vanillaware has built a reputation over the years for producing visually distinctive games with entirely hand-drawn art. Titles like 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim and the more recent Unicorn Overlord have helped cement the studio’s standing among fans of Japanese RPGs and strategy games. Given that much of their artwork is created by hand, their output tends to be slower than larger studios, and re-releases of older titles help support the studio between new projects.
Muramasa originally debuted on Wii, then received its expanded Vita release with additional DLC story chapters. That Vita version is widely considered the definitive way to experience the game, making its inclusion in Revenant Blades a smart move for players who never owned Sony’s handheld. The PS5 remaster gives both returning players and newcomers a chance to experience the full package in one place.
Key Details at a Glance
- Title: Muramasa: Revenant Blades
- Platform: PS5
- Release Date: February 4
- Developer: Vanillaware
- Publisher: Marvelous
- New Features: 4K visuals, English voice over, illustration gallery, character and animation viewer
- Bonus: Original PS Vita version included
If you have been waiting for a reason to revisit Muramasa or are coming to it fresh, Revenant Blades on PS5 looks like it will be the most complete version of the game available. February 4 is the date to remember.