- Steam pricePrice
- $11.99
- Release
- September 13, 2017
- Session GoalsGoals
- Platforms
How co-op works
Two local players control Sukane and Tsuruamaru through a branching campaign. Coordinated attacks fill a shared gauge for a Co-op Special Move; at moral decisions, agreement preserves the team route, while disagreement triggers a PvP duel that selects the path toward one of eight endings.
About this game
Samurai Riot Definitive Edition is a 2D arcade-style brawler with a branching narrative built around moral decisions. It offers true co-op where two players fight side by side, but story choices can create friction or even force players into direct combat if their values don't align. The cooperative system demands agreement and conversation, not just shared button mashing.
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Gameplay follows classic beat 'em up structure with combo-driven melee combat, character abilities, and screen-by-screen enemy waves. The hook is the moral choice system woven into each run. When a decision point arrives, both players vote, and conflicting answers can alter the story path or trigger a versus duel. Repeated playthroughs reveal new branches and outcomes shaped by your joint choices.
Local couch co-op supports two players on one screen, and Steam Remote Play Together lets you bring that session online. The design creates sessions built on constant communication, compromise, and occasionally betrayal, turning each playthrough into a test of partnership as much as combat skill.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if my co-op partner and I disagree on a story choice?
When you reach a moral decision point, both players vote. If you pick conflicting answers, the game can change the story path or even force you into a versus duel against each other. The co-op system is built around communication and compromise-disagreements have real consequences.
Can I play this online with a friend?
There's no native online multiplayer, but you can use Steam Remote Play Together to bring the local co-op session online with a friend. The game is designed for couch co-op on one screen.
How much replay value does the branching story offer?
The game has multiple story branches that change based on the moral choices you and your partner make together. Different decisions unlock new paths and endings, so repeated playthroughs reveal different outcomes depending on how you align or clash.
Is this just button mashing or does combat have depth?
Combat follows classic beat 'em up structure with combo-driven melee, character abilities, and waves of enemies. It's more than just button mashing-you'll need to learn combos and use abilities strategically, though it keeps the arcade-style accessibility.