Expeditions: Samurai Enters Early Access on August 7
The early access model is a first for the Expeditions series, signaling a shift in how THQ Nordic and Campfire Cabal handle community feedback for this franchise.
Key Facts
- Expeditions: Samurai enters early access on PC (Steam) on August 7.
- The game is developed by Campfire Cabal and published by THQ Nordic.
- Three major updates are planned during early access, with content shaped by player feedback.
- The full version is scheduled for early 2027, and save data will carry over from early access.
- The game is set in Japan in 1600 during the Sengoku period, with the protagonist arriving on the Dutch frigate De Albatros.
Reporting from 2 sources: GAME Watch (Impress), Game Spark.
THQ Nordic will launch the PC (Steam) RPG Expeditions: Samurai into early access on August 7. Developed by Campfire Cabal, the game is the latest entry in the Expeditions series of historical RPGs. The early access period will follow a development style first used during the Kickstarter campaign for Expeditions: Conquistador, gathering player opinions on game systems, balance, exploration, stealth, and turn-based battles to shape the game. Three major updates are planned during early access, and while the team has a preliminary plan, player feedback will determine their content. The game is set in Japan in 1600, during the Sengoku period, and follows a protagonist who travels from Europe aboard the Dutch frigate De Albatros. Player choices affect the fate of companions and the future of Japan. The studio also brought in a historical consultant. Save data from the early access version will carry over to the full version, scheduled for early 2027. This is the first Expeditions game to have an early access period.
THQ Nordic confirmed the early access launch date on August 5, ahead of the August 7 release. The game supports two-player co-op and includes stealth, diplomacy, and violence as core mechanics. The protagonist's journey from Europe to Japan aboard the Dutch frigate De Albatros places him in the middle of the Sengoku period, where his choices influence both his companions and the nation's future.
Campfire Cabal, a Danish studio, is developing the title. The team has said it will refine the game based on player input during early access, with three major updates planned. The full version is expected in early 2027, and save data will remain compatible. The development team has also enlisted a historical consultant to ensure the setting resonates with Japanese players.
Synthesized by Yomimono from the 2 cited sources below, including Japanese-language reporting where cited, then editorially reviewed before publishing.