Publication date of the original Japanese article: 2021-09-27 13:09 (JST)
Translated by. Ryuki Ishii

Publisher No Gravity Games has announced the launch date of Okinawa Rush. It will be released for PC (via Steam and GOG.com) on October 21, and for Nintendo Switch on October 28.

Okinawa Rush is a 2D action game developed by a UK-based indie studio Sokaikan. The game takes place in Okinawa, Japan, which is being invaded by a ninja clan called Black Mantis. They are in Okinawa to steal “the legendary training scroll of Hiro Yashima,” pillaging the slaughtering the inhabitants along the way. Players will take the role of “martial arts master Hiro, Meilin, or Shin as they face off in a desperate fight for their lives against the Black Mantis clan.”

According to the Kickstarter campaign held in 2017, the game is “inspired by old, arcade classics such as Double Dragon and Streets of Rage along with some more modern influences from Tekken and Streetfighter.” As a result, the game features a fighting game-like combat system with a variety of skill/move combinations. You can also parry enemy attacks and perform counterstrikes.

Players will face enemy ninjas and monsters throughout the journey. Use swords, nunchakus, and bo staffs to fight them. There’s an online scoreboard, where you upload your high scores and compete with other players. The game also supports local co-op, so you can battle the Black Mantis clan with your friends.

Sokaikan ran a crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter in September 2017. It raised 10,745 pounds, slightly over the initial target. Four years have passed since then, and the game is finally ready for release.

According to the Kickstarter campaign description, the main playable character is well versed in martial arts originated from Okinawa. However, the game “is not intended to be historical and has no connection to historical events or real people.” The developer continued, “we prefer to keep it this way as it allows for more fantastical possibilities and room for creativity. It’s really an alternative reality and as such you will see some references to Okinawan/Japanese names, food and objects.”

Okinawa Rush is set to release for PC (Steam and GOG.com) /Nintendo Switch on October 21 and October 28 respectably. There’s a demo version available on Steam.