The historical party-based RPG will begin its voyage through feudal Japan this summer, with a development roadmap arriving before release.
THQ Nordic and developer Campfire Cabal have announced that Expeditions: Samurai will enter Steam Early Access on August 7, 2026. The release date was revealed alongside a new companion-focused trailer introducing several of the characters who can join the player’s crew. A roadmap outlining the launch build and planned updates will be published ahead of release.
Set in Japan during the year 1600, the latest entry in the Expeditions series offers an alternate version of the story surrounding English navigator William Adams. In this timeline, Adams never leaves England. Instead, the player arrives aboard the battered Dutch frigate De Albatros, taking command of a group of privateers shortly before a civil war reaches its decisive stage.
Players will create a protagonist carrying the surname Flynn, selecting their first name, appearance, and one of four available classes.
From there, the campaign will combine historical intrigue with a branching narrative in which diplomatic decisions, personal relationships, and battlefield choices can influence the crew and the political forces competing for control of Japan.
Combat remains turn-based, although Campfire Cabal is introducing several changes to the established formula. Movement, attacks, and interruption abilities can unfold simultaneously, while stealth allows the party to scout locations, separate into smaller groups, position characters in real time, and prepare ambushes before open combat begins.
Gadgets and a mixture of European and Japanese weapons will provide additional options for approaching each encounter.
The newly released trailer places particular attention on the game’s eight recruitable companions, each of whom will receive a personal story and dedicated quest chain. The revealed crew members include Antje, a burglar suited to stealth and lockpicking; Johan, a capable but arrogant swordsman; Tora-Hime, an Onna-Musha seeking to establish her place in history; and Étienne Durand, a priest whose diplomatic skills can help the group navigate delicate situations.
Relationships may eventually develop into friendships, rivalries, or romances depending on the player’s actions.
Expeditions: Samurai will also be the first game in the series to support drop-in, drop-out online co-op. A solo player controls Captain Flynn, while the cooperative campaign recasts the protagonists as twins. Both participants can speak with characters, influence major decisions, and coordinate stealth maneuvers or tactical attacks during missions.
According to the Steam Early Access information, the initial version is intended to provide a substantial sample of the final experience, including combat, exploration, stealth, world-map travel, and several hours of fully voiced quests.
More missions, equipment, and features will be introduced throughout development, with the complete release currently targeted for the first quarter of 2027, depending on player feedback and the progress of production. The final version is also planned to expand the story with village rulership, crafting, and additional character-build options.
Expeditions: Samurai launches for PC through Steam Early Access on August 7, 2026. Pricing has not yet been announced, although the Early Access edition is expected to cost slightly less than the finished game.
