The Mass Effect series (Andromeda aside) is arguably my favourite trilogy in the history of video gaming, beating out classics like The Witcher and Fable in terms of consistency and peak storytelling ability.
As such, any time another game affords me the opportunity to go to space within the wider context of an RPG, my ears perk up and I'm immediately interested in what the developer has to say for itself.
Now add to that equation the recent surge in popularity for samurai games, after Ghost of Yotei built on the successes of Tsushima, and you're quickly on to an end product that we haven't really seen anywhere to date.
Step forward SOL Showgunate, a newly announced single-player, third-person RPG that takes place in an alternate future where the solar system is ruled by violence.
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SOL Shogunate Looks Like A Unique Proposition
SOL Shogunate was officially revealed as part of the PC Gaming Show: Most Wanted 2025 showcase on 4 December with a brand new trailer, as well as plenty of details about what we can expect from the game on the various store pages that are carrying the title.
The story follows Yuzuki, the former heir of a once powerful samurai family who were all brutally massacred by a rival clan. Yuzuki therefore becomes an always-cool Ronin determined to have her vengeance by cutting her way through the enormous metropolises of Earth's moon.
The cities themselves seem like relatively normally futuristic cities that we would be used to. The kicker is that, underneath the surface, thousands of workers eek out a living to keep everything running smoothly for those up top.
Arguably the most exciting part of the game that we have seen so far is the combat, which combines traditional samurai gameplay with cool features unique to the setting and location, like gravity and the player's suit.
Combining those allows you to use devastating combination attacks, with the developer employing a hack-and-slash style that lets you take out enemies from afar, or up close and personal, depending on your playstyle.
The alternate future Japanese elements also look really cool, and you likely won't have seen its ilk anywhere else, with the game's unique style likely to draw a lot of attention as it edges closer to release.
The only bad news is that we don't have a proper release date just yet, beyond the release year of 2027, so you'll have to sit tight for a while.
Topics: Mass Effect, Ghost of Yotei