Seventeen years after its original release on the Nintendo Wii, Muramasa: Revenant Blades has finally arrived on PC, bringing with it a definitive update that enhances its already celebrated 2D action gameplay. This port aims to ensure players engage with the game's extensive arsenal of 108 unique swords, a core element tied to the lore of the cursed Muramasa blades which, in the game's mythology, must taste blood to unleash their full power.
Director Wataru Nakanishi explained that this legend translates into a cooperative relationship between the protagonists and Muramasa himself. "In this game Muramasa is an important character and will create these very powerful swords, but in turn [the protagonists] must collect souls for him," Nakanishi stated. "So they have this cooperative relationship based around this dark situation."
The PC version introduces a significant new mechanic: a skill system that allows players to equip up to three ground and three air abilities to each of their three active swords. This greatly expands combat possibilities, enabling dynamic combos and playstyles that were not present in the original release. Previously, skills were tied directly to specific swords, often leading players to rely on a few powerful late-game weapons. The updated system encourages experimentation with the full roster of blades.
"It kind of limited the scope of the gameplay," Nakanishi noted regarding the original skill system. "But now that you can equip skills independently, players have access to so many more skills and playstyles." He elaborated on how this allows for chaining abilities, such as using a fire-based aerial attack to launch enemies, then following up with a ground skill to keep them susceptible.
The game's distinctive, hand-drawn art style has been meticulously recreated for high-definition displays. While Vanillaware possessed some assets, artists were required to individually touch up and recreate others, a demanding process that resulted in the warm, colorful visuals that define the game. "You know, through that arduous hand-drawn process, we were able to create this warm and colorful art that we think people will be happy to see," Nakanishi said.
Combat on PC has also been refined. Enemies now have fixed levels in different areas, rather than scaling with player progression. This means players may encounter challenges that require skillful engagement, especially on harder difficulties where enemies attack in greater numbers and possess more health. A defensive playstyle is discouraged, as blocking attacks can break swords, leaving players vulnerable. The emphasis is on fluid combos and strategically switching between blades to maintain offensive pressure and keep weapons from degrading.
Muramasa: Revenant Blades on PC now includes multiple playable characters, originally added in a 2013 PlayStation Vita re-release, each with their own narrative arcs. This makes the package considerably more robust. The game's enhanced skill system and expanded character options aim to unlock its full potential, making it a particularly fitting title for portable gaming devices like the Steam Deck OLED.
Nakanishi expressed hope that the PC release's success could pave the way for future Vanillaware titles on the platform. "We currently don't have any specific plans of that nature, but we would love to see Muramasa be successful enough that people start to ask about that kind of thing," he concluded.