PS5 is Getting a Brand-New Ninja Stealth Game

Yakoh Shinobi Ops, a four-player co-op stealth game for the PlayStation 5, was announced during the February State of Play. This upcoming PS5 game is being developed by Acquire and published by Shueisha Games.

A Japan-based developer, Acquire has an extensive history in the video game landscape. Though it was founded in 1994, Acquire made its debut in 1998 with Tenchu: Stealth Assassins for the original PlayStation, which is widely considered to be a pioneer of the modern stealth genre. Acquire spent the next several decades producing Tenchu sequels and other ninja/samurai-related titles like Way of the Samurai, Shinobido: Way of the Ninja, and Samurai Western. More recently, Acquire co-developed Octopath Traveler and its sequel alongside Square Enix, and made Mario & Luigi: Brothership in partnership with Nintendo.

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A New Stealth Game from the Studio Behind Tenchu has Been Announced

Acquire returns to the world of ninja stealth with Yakoh Shinobi Ops, a four-player co-op stealth action game that was revealed during the recent PlayStation State of Play. In its brief minute-and-a-half reveal trailer, Yakoh Shinobi Ops teases its core gameplay features, showing a team of four shinobi sneaking around a palace, using various abilities to remain undetected and clear obstacles in their path all from a top-down perspective. The final moments of Yakoh Shinobi Ops‘ announcement trailer showcase an assortment of terrifying monsters that appear to be stalking the shinobi throughout the level.

While Yakoh Shinobi Ops‘ reveal trailer gives viewers a solid idea of what they can expect from the stealth game, Shueisha Games’ Makoto Hayashi gives a deeper insight over on the PlayStation Blog. In this blog post, Hayashi states multiple times that coordination is the key to success in Yakoh Shinobi Ops. As a team of four, players will need to work together to spot enemy patrols, take down threats, and complete each mission’s objectives. The game will feature a range of different shinobi, each coming with a unique ability, such as a smoke bomb that can conceal allies, a grappling hook that can be used to reach new heights, and firecrackers that distract enemies. Players will need to use these abilities in tandem to complete missions efficiently, as well as work together to revive fallen teammates, help each other access vantage points, and interact with environmental objects faster. Players will also need to communicate effectively, as they have a limited cone of vision that only stretches out in front of them.

Yakoh Shinobi Ops‘ gameplay loop is split into two halves. The first half sees players working together to infiltrate a location and complete specific objectives, while the second sees them escaping the level unharmed and within the time limit. During the first phase, players will be able to catch guards by surprise, but during the second, they’ll be alert and actively searching for the shinobi. Leaving a teammate behind will reportedly greatly reduce the rewards handed out at the end of a mission. During both halves of Yakoh Shinobi Ops‘ gameplay loop, players will be hunted by one of a range of relentless ‘Pursuers.’ These horrifying demon-like entities cannot be killed, forcing players to sneak around them, hide, and run away in order to avoid instant death. Completing missions will reward players with more powerful equipment, which they can use to form custom loadouts between matches.

Yakoh Shinobi Ops has been given a 2027 release window, meaning it’ll be some time before fans will get their hands on the game. When it does release, Yakoh Shinobi Ops will hit both PlayStation 5 and PC via Steam.