Tuesday’s State of Play kicked off in style thanks to Ikumi Nakamura, who showed off the first gameplay trailer for the upcoming PlayStation 5 game, Kemuri. In it, you’re a yokai hunter who roams the streets in search of supernatural monsters — and you can bring along some friends for the ride (provided you’ve got PlayStation Plus!)
When it was originally revealed in 2023, Kemuri was described by studio Unseen as a blend of Japanese folklore, anime aesthetics, and modern culture. Clothing is a huge focus for the game. As you form contracts with demons, you can “wear” them and take on their powers. While some of these creatures have a real-world history, other yokai were developed exclusively for the game.
“This world challenges yokai hunters to confront existential themes and moral dilemmas as they track and fight their prey in fast paced combat,” the game’s press kit reads. “Collect a wide range of yokai — some malevolent, some friendly — to transform your appearance and access their paranormal abilities.”
Check out the latest gameplay trailer below.
Although the PlayStation Blog says that there are many ways to fight, a few specific archetypes do appear. You can be a hunter who gets up close and personal, or fight from afar with magical powers.
Beyond the rad aesthetics, Kemuri looks like a blast to play as well. It’s got the sort of thrilling cityscape platforming you’d expect from games like Marvel’s Spider-Man or Gravity Rush, but with the sensibility of a Splatoon game aimed at teenage hypebeasts.
You might remember Ikumi Nakamura from 2019, when her bubbly personality made her a minor gaming celebrity. If you’re someone with taste, then you might know her from classics like Okami, Bayonetta, and Resident Evil 2. Given her resume — and fashion sense — it’s not a huge shocker she’d be leading a game that looks this cool. It’s only fitting that Unseen is already selling some hot merch.
Kemuri will be released for PS5 sometime in 2027.
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