THQ Nordic and the studio Campfire Cabal have officially announced that the tactical RPG Expeditions: Samurai will launch in Steam Early Access on August 7, 2026. Prior to the launch, the developers will release a roadmap detailing the initial content and update plans. This new entry in the Expeditions series transports players to Sengoku-era Japan—a time of internecine warfare, political intrigue, and power struggles. Departing from actual history—in which William Adams became the first European samurai—the game presents an alternative scenario: the protagonist arrives in the country ahead of the famous navigator, leading a crew of Dutch privateers, and becomes embroiled in a pivotal conflict.
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What we know about Expeditions: Samurai: plot, setting, and alternate history
The game takes place in an alternate version of the year 1600. Instead of the historical navigator William Adams, the Dutch frigate De Albatros, commanded by Captain Flynn, arrives at Japanese shores. Players will engage in political intrigue, build relationships with local daimyo, and shape the nation’s destiny through branching dialogue and consequential decisions. The protagonist is an original character with the fixed surname Flynn; players can customize their first name, appearance, and one of four character classes.
The developers at Campfire Cabal—a studio founded in 2022 by veterans who worked on Expeditions: Conquistador, Expeditions: Viking, and Expeditions: Rome—state that they did not use generative AI in the game’s creation; all content was crafted by hand.
Eight companions: who will join your crew
Players will have access to eight fully fleshed-out companions, each with their own backstories that can be developed through friendship, rivalry, or romance. The characters shown include:
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Antje — an experienced thief specializing in stealth and lockpicking.
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Piet Ruysch — a fighter.
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Kage — a ronin.
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Johan — a swordsman and relative of the fallen captain.
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Étienne Durand — a priest responsible for the team’s diplomatic affairs.
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Tora-Hime — an onna-musha (female warrior).
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Fuma Ishiko — a shinobi (ninja).
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Raina — a medic.
Each companion has their own backstory and questline. With a sufficient level of trust, relationships can develop into friendship or romance.
How does co-op work in Expeditions: Samurai?
For the first time in the Expeditions series, a full co-op mode featuring drop-in/drop-out functionality is being introduced. While single-player mode features a single character—Captain Flynn—co-op allows players to control a pair of twins. Partners can participate in conversations simultaneously, debate decisions, and coordinate their actions during combat. Co-op enables players to complete the entire campaign together, engage in dialogue, and collaboratively plan tactics during turn-based battles.
What is included in the Expeditions: Samurai Early Access launch—content and roadmap
Early Access begins on August 7, 2026, exclusively on PC via Steam. The launch version will offer several hours of fully voiced missions, along with key combat and exploration mechanics. The developers promise an expansive RPG campaign with a non-linear narrative, where every decision can influence the course of events, relationships with allies, and the fate of Japan.
How much content will be available at the start of Early Access?
Prior to launch, Campfire Cabal will release a roadmap detailing the exact amount of launch content and plans for future development. The Early Access period will see the phased introduction of additional missions, weapons, and armor. The full release is planned to include the complete story, village management, and additional crafting and customization systems.
When will the full version of Expeditions: Samurai be released?
The full version of Expeditions: Samurai is tentatively expected in the first quarter of 2027. However, the full release date remains subject to change based on community feedback during the Early Access period. The developers estimate that a playthrough of version 1.0 will take approximately 60 hours. At launch, players can look forward to four story acts, over 45 levels, more than 100 events and encounters, and a vast world map open to free exploration. Additionally, the developers promise the ability to manage one’s own village in the service of Tokugawa Ieyasu; players will be tasked with developing the settlement, managing resources, and strengthening their influence in the region.
Expeditions: Samurai PC System Requirements: Minimum and Recommended
To run Expeditions: Samurai on PC, you will need:
Expeditions: Samurai Minimum System Requirements
The minimum configuration allows you to run the game on low graphics settings: Windows 10/11, an Intel Core i5-8600K or AMD Ryzen 5 2600X processor, 12 GB of RAM, a GeForce GTX 1070 or Radeon RX Vega 56 class graphics card with 8 GB of VRAM, and 15 GB of free disk space.
Expeditions: Samurai Recommended System Requirements
For a smooth experience on high settings, you will need an Intel Core i5-12400 or AMD Ryzen 5 5600 processor, 16 GB of RAM, and a Radeon RX 6700 or GeForce RTX 2060 Super class graphics card. Currently, only English is listed as a supported language on Steam. You can already add Expeditions: Samurai to your wishlist on the game’s Steam page.
Summary: Expeditions: Samurai launches in Early Access on PC on August 7—featuring co-op, eight companions, a stealth system designed by Hitman veterans, and 60 hours of content in the version 1.0 release. Add it to your wishlist if you’re ready to become the first European samurai in an alternate Japan.
