Shadow of the Road Turns Feudal Japan Into a Magical, Bloody Turn-Based RPG—Steam Playtest First

Every now and then, a game concept grabs your imagination before you even see gameplay. For me, that’s exactly what happened with Shadow of the Road: a turn-based RPG that dares to ask, “What if Baldur’s Gate 3 but set in a mythic, magic-infused feudal Japan?” The idea alone is enough to catch any strategy-RPG fan’s attention-especially coming off the high of BG3’s success and the ongoing appetite for samurai dramas.

Shadow of the Road Playtest: Turn-Based Samurai Tactics Meet Magic and Machine

Mixes classic turn-based combat with samurai drama and weird magic-a genre mash-up that stands out in a sea of fantasy clones.
Early playtest already showcases atmospheric worldbuilding and slick combat, with plenty of room to evolve before full release.
Distinctly Japanese setting with alt-history twist-think Ghost of Tsushima meets Baldur’s Gate 3, but against British-backed Empires and monstrous foes.
Steam playtest is short but meaty, giving players a real feel for mechanics and tone—while raising big questions about balancing and story depth.

Feature	Specification
Publisher	Another Angle Games
Release Date	TBA (Playtest available now)
Genres	Turn-Based RPG, Strategy, Adventure
Platforms	PC (Steam)

Shadow of the Road: Satoru and Akira stand over a bloodied battlefield in a feudal Japanese town, blending samurai aesthetics with magical effects. — Shadow of the Road’s opening makes it clear: this isn’t your grandfather’s Sengoku drama—magic and mayhem abound.

Let’s cut to what matters for core RPG fans: yes, Shadow of the Road borrows structural DNA from Baldur’s Gate 3. You’re talking party-based, turn-based combat where positioning and abilities matter, but the flavor is 100% samurai—with a twist. You play as Satoru and Akira, ex-samurai now forced to walk the ronin path after their side loses a major battle. From the start, you’re not just fighting humans; there’s a strong supernatural undercurrent, with weird magic and even weirder enemies lurking around the corner.

Shadow of the Road combat screen: Akira faces off against a grotesque enemy using a magical attack, with UI reminiscent of modern RPGs. — Turn-based battles get bloody fast—and the enemy designs aren’t just other samurai, but monsters drawn from Japanese myth.

What caught my eye in the hour-long demo wasn’t just the tactical depth (though that’s promising), but the sheer mood. The art direction leans into the atmospheric darkness of late feudal Japan, layering in elements of steampunk machinery and spellcasting that feel both fresh and familiar. You’ll spot the influence of Ghost of Tsushima’s wind-swept plains, but with a twist: here, the British aren’t just historical colonizers, they’re rival mage-patrons meddling in the local power struggle.

Shadow of the Road: atmospheric Japanese street scene at night, with glowing lanterns and shadowy figures hinting at magic and danger. — The world oozes style—a blend of old Japan, magical realism, and oil-slicked steampunk.

If you’re expecting a polished, bug-free experience, let’s be clear—this is a playtest, not a finished product. Some UI quirks and early pacing issues are there, but what’s impressive is how much personality shines through regardless. I’m already invested in Satoru and Akira’s dynamic, and the choice-driven story teases some real moral dilemmas. That said, I’m watching closely to see if the full game can maintain narrative momentum and tactical variety beyond this strong first impression.

Shadow of the Road: branching dialogue choices on screen as Satoru negotiates with a mysterious NPC in a traditional Japanese inn. — Branching dialogue hints at big replay value—will your samurai walk the honorable path or embrace chaos?

For strategy diehards and samurai sim fans, this is one to watch. The demo’s combat system is already more satisfying than a lot of full-price tactics games, and the fusion of genres feels genuinely new. The risk, of course, is that it could stretch itself too thin—turn-based RPGs live or die by balance, pacing, and story depth. But as a first taste, Shadow of the Road is bold, bloody, and absolutely worth an hour of your time.

Shadow of the Road: Akira uses a spell while mechanical contraptions glow in the background, combining historical and fantasy elements. — Magic and machinery collide—a risky genre blend, but one that could make Shadow of the Road stand out in a crowded RPG market.

TL;DR: Shadow of the Road’s Steam playtest delivers a slick, samurai-infused answer to Baldur’s Gate 3, with promising combat and worldbuilding. The full game’s a ways off, and it’ll need to nail pacing and narrative to really stand out, but if you crave samurai drama with spells and steampunk, this is one demo you shouldn’t miss.

Source: Another Angle Games via GamesPress