Release date
12 November 2026
The story so far
What we know about Shadow of the Road
Shadow of the Road is a story-driven turn-based RPG set in an alternate 1868 Japan. The country is split by a civil war between the traditionalist forces of Shogun Tokugawa and the technologically advanced army of Emperor Mutsuhito, which is backed by the British East Nippon Company. Ancient temples stand next to steam-powered machines, and yokai share the world with soldiers and spies.
The player leads a small group assembled by Tokugawa's spymaster. According to the publisher, the mission centres on protecting a mysterious boy with extraordinary powers, with the ronin Satoru and Akira at the core of the party. More companions join along the road, each with personal goals and conflicts that are meant to affect both combat and the story.
The game is developed by Another Angle Games and published by Owlcat Games, the studio behind Pathfinder: Kingmaker and Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader. It was announced for Steam, the Epic Games Store and GOG, and the release date of 12 November 2026 was confirmed in August 2026. A free demo with several battles and a boss fight is already available on Steam.
What to expect from Shadow of the Road
Based on what the developer and publisher have shown so far.
- 01
Turn-based party combat
Battles are party-based and turn-based, and control of the initiative timeline is described as central to strategy. Characters bring their own abilities, so the makeup of the party matters.
- 02
Relationships that matter
According to the publisher, personal goals and relationships between characters influence encounters, and narrative choices shape how characters develop and where the story goes.
- 03
A mixed set of enemies
Foes shown so far include soldiers, samurai, yokai and mechanical creations, reflecting the clash between old tradition and steam-powered technology in the setting.
- 04
Story first
The game is billed as a story-driven RPG built around a road journey with a recruited team. Environmental interaction and special abilities such as yokai transformation have also been mentioned.
See it for yourself
Confirmed. Unconfirmed. Clear.
A quick way to separate official information from speculation.
Confirmed
Not confirmed
Price
The final price is not shown in the sources used here. Check the Steam page for the current listing.
Console versions
Only PC is announced. No PlayStation, Xbox or Switch versions have been announced.
Game length
Neither the publisher nor the press has given an estimate of how long the story takes to finish.
Post-launch content
No DLC or expansions have been announced.
Rumours are labelled and linked to their source.
Timeline
The road to release, from announcement to launch.
15 July 2025
A free demo page goes live on Steam. Steam
8 January 2026
Owlcat Games announces a 2026 launch window with a new trailer and lists Steam, Epic and GOG. Gematsu
26 August 2026
The 12 November release date and a release date trailer are revealed at gamescom. RPG Site
12 November 2026
Planned PC release. Steam
Waiting for Shadow of the Road? Play these
Our best guesses until it is out, picked for the same kind of experience.
Pillars of Eternity
Party-based CRPG with a heavy story focus, and a close cousin to publisher Owlcat's own style.
Triangle Strategy
Turn-based tactics where story choices and character relationships shape the outcome.
Wartales
Tactical turn-based battles with a squad of mercenaries and a strong sense of a journey.
The Banner Saga
Story-driven tactics where choices on the road carry weight for the whole party.
XCOM 2
Turn-based squad combat built around positioning and ability use against varied enemies.
Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader
Owlcat's own turn-based CRPG, with a large cast, companion relationships and branching choices.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers to what people search for most.
When is Shadow of the Road released?
The release date is 12 November 2026, as confirmed by publisher Owlcat Games and developer Another Angle Games.
Which platforms is Shadow of the Road coming to?
PC only so far, through Steam, the Epic Games Store and GOG. No console versions have been announced.
Is there a trailer?
Yes. A release date trailer was published on the Owlcat Games YouTube channel, and it is embedded on this page.
Is there a demo?
Yes, a free demo is available on Steam. It reportedly includes several battles and a boss encounter.
What is Shadow of the Road about?
It is a turn-based RPG set in an alternate 1868 Japan during a civil war. The player's group is tasked with protecting a mysterious boy with extraordinary powers.
Is it a sequel?
No. It is a new original game from Another Angle Games and Owlcat Games, with no earlier entry in a series announced.