Highlights
- Sony State of Play 2026 revealed Yakoh Shinobi Ops as a 4-player co-op stealth game.
- Developed by the Tenchu team, Yakoh Shinobi Ops is a spiritual successor coming in 2027.
- Sony State of Play 2026 showcased tactical shinobi gameplay with survival horror elements.
A new era of tactical espionage has officially begun. During the February 2026 Sony State of Play, developer Acquire, the legendary studio responsible for the original Tenchu series, unveiled its latest project, Yakoh Shinobi Ops. Produced in collaboration with Shueisha Games, this four-player cooperative title is positioned as a spiritual successor to the games that pioneered 3D stealth in the late 90s. The game is currently in development for PlayStation 5 and PC via Steam, with a release window scheduled for 2027.
While the game pays homage to the classics, Yakoh Shinobi Ops distinguishes itself by shifting the focus from the lone wolf archetype to squad-based survival. The reveal trailer showcased a dark, high-fantasy Japanese setting where players control a unit of four shinobi viewed from a top-down perspective.
Although the game supports solo play, Shueisha Games producer Makoto Hayashi emphasized in a PlayStation Blog post that the core experience is built around the friction and strategy of a four-person unit working in perfect synchronization. Hayashi noted that communication is vital, as players must navigate limited vision cones that only stretch directly in front of their characters, requiring teammates to watch each other's backs.
Hardcore Co-Op Stealth Meets Survival Horror
The gameplay loop is designed to be punishing and relies heavily on tension. The mission structure is split into two distinct halves: an infiltration phase where squads complete objectives and catch guards by surprise, followed by a frantic escape phase where enemies are fully alert and a time limit ticks down.
The central source of terror during these missions is the "Pursuer," an invincible, demon-like entity that hunts players relentlessly. Because this enemy cannot be killed, the gameplay introduces elements of survival horror, forcing squads to rely on hiding, silent movement, and desperate retreats to avoid instant death.
To survive these threats, teamwork is not just encouraged; it is enforced through game mechanics. Players must utilize specialized ninjutsu and tools in sync to succeed. The announcement detailed abilities such as grappling hooks for verticality, wall-breakers to forge new paths, smoke screens for cover, and firecrackers for distraction.
Leaving a fallen teammate’s corpse behind significantly reduces the rewards earned at the end of a mission. This forces players to make difficult tactical decisions about whether to risk a rescue operation or extract alive with fewer spoils. Successful missions reward players with unlockable gear, allowing them to create deep, custom loadouts to suit their specific playstyles.
For Acquire, this project marks a significant return to form. The Japan-based developer, founded in 1994, made its debut in 1998 with Tenchu: Stealth Assassins, a title widely considered the grandfather of the modern stealth genre. Over the last few decades, the studio has built an impressive resume, working on Way of the Samurai, Shinobido, and co-developing modern hits like Octopath Traveler with Square Enix and Mario & Luigi: Brothership with Nintendo.
With Yakoh Shinobi Ops, Acquire aims to deliver "next-generation shinobi stealth" that evolves their classic mechanics for the modern multiplayer era. Yakoh Shinobi Ops arrives on PS5 and PC.
