Tenjutsu Brings Its Unique Roguelike Combat to Switch 2 in 2027

Tenjutsu, the upcoming action roguelike from Dead Cells designer Sébastien Benard, is coming to Nintendo Switch 2 and PC in 2027. Publisher Devolver Digital confirmed the release window during Nintendo's October 28 Indie World Showcase, alongside a new trailer showing more of its fast-paced martial arts combat.

Developed by Deepnight Games, Tenjutsu follows Ten, a former yakuza member fighting to take down the criminal syndicates controlling her city. Players can choose which syndicate to attack first, but defeating one makes the remaining organizations more powerful.

Every defeated syndicate makes the next fight harder

Tenjutsu gives players control over the order in which they challenge the city's rival syndicates. Each organization has its own strengths, and leaving one until later allows it to build up its forces.

The system means players must decide which enemies to eliminate early and which they are prepared to face at their strongest. The final syndicate will be the toughest, giving each run a different challenge depending on the order players choose.

Combat combines martial arts with melee, ranged, and special weapons. Players can develop different fighting styles as they take on groups of enemies in fast-paced, top-down battles.

Players can change the city and unlock permanent upgrades

Defeating syndicates also changes the city itself. As criminal organizations fall, shops and restaurants return, while previously hidden shortcuts open new routes for subsequent runs.

Beyond combat, Tenjutsu features a randomized city that players can modify during their runs. Special items called Jokers allow them to build vending machines, change shop inventories and prices, or restore health.

Defeated enemies also drop tattooed teeth, which players can collect to unlock permanent advantages between runs. These include new weapons, expanded areas, and changes to certain gameplay rules, giving players more options on later attempts.

The story develops between runs through events at Ten's apartment and Nanny Hoken's ramen shop. Visitors, including enemies, will appear as players learn more about the city's residents and criminal organizations.

Dead Cells designer shares new combat footage and development progress

Benard has been developing Tenjutsu largely on his own, with particular attention to how its combat feels. In an October 29 developer update, he explained that considerable work had gone into refining individual punches, kicks, and animations.

The new trailer offers a closer look at those improvements, showing Ten moving between enemies and combining different attacks during fights.

Benard also confirmed that Tenjutsu has surpassed 200,000 Steam wishlists. The game was originally announced in 2024 and is now scheduled for release in 2027, although an exact launch date has not been revealed.