Expeditions: Samurai’s Co-op Changes More Than Just Its Battles

Expeditions: Samurai’s defining Early Access feature is not simply its turn-based combat in Sengoku-era Japan: a second player can enter an existing campaign, influence scenes, and turn story decisions into shared — or contested — outcomes.

THQ Nordic and Campfire Cabal released the PC-only Steam version on August 7, 2026. The current build contains Act 1, described as roughly six to eight hours, with five main quests, three side quests and 14 locations. Players lead a crew through early-1600s Japan as William Adams, navigating civil-war politics through tactical encounters, exploration, stealth, diplomacy and voiced quests. Eight companions have their own quest lines, loyalties and relationship stakes.

The new two-player online mode is the first co-op implementation in the Expeditions series. Drop-in/drop-out support means a solo player can begin a save and bring in a friend later rather than restart. Co-op is designed around the campaign itself: the joining player controls a twin of the lead character, and both players can speak with characters at the same time. That can create friction in major choice scenes, while companion-affection competition gives the relationship system another variable beyond combat positioning.

That makes the branching narrative more meaningful for replaying Act 1. A solo run preserves control over dialogue and allegiances; a co-op run can produce different decisions and companion outcomes even through the same quest set. Players chiefly interested in a complete story should note that crafting, village rulership, deeper character customization and further polish are planned for later updates. Campfire Cabal intends Early Access saves to remain compatible with the full release, targeted for early 2027.

The standard price is $29.99, reduced to $19.79 with a 34% launch discount through August 14; the Japanese store listing gives August 15 for its local promotion. Buy now if an unfinished but substantial Act 1 and flexible co-op suit your plans; wait if crafting, village management and the full campaign are the reasons you want Expeditions: Samurai.