{"id":6282,"date":"2026-07-23T08:17:20","date_gmt":"2026-07-23T00:17:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gametrader.sg\/blog\/gurei-steam-launch-july-2026\/"},"modified":"2026-07-23T08:17:20","modified_gmt":"2026-07-23T00:17:20","slug":"gurei-steam-launch-july-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gametrader.sg\/blog\/gurei-steam-launch-july-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Gurei Launches on Steam Today \u2014 Slay the Kami in This Gorgeous Hand-Drawn Samurai Action Game"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Singapore samurai game fans, today&#8217;s the day. <strong>Gurei<\/strong>, a hand-drawn action game steeped in Japanese mythology, has launched on <a href=\"https:\/\/store.steampowered.com\/app\/2191280\/Gurei\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Steam<\/a> from developer <strong>Lobo Sagaz Studio<\/strong> and publisher <strong>Astrolabe Games<\/strong>. The game is live right now globally \u2014 SG players can pick it up and start their spiritual duel with the Kami immediately.<\/p>\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.gametrader.sg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/gurei_ss1.jpg?w=474&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Gurei \u2014 combat screenshot showing Rei facing a towering Kami boss\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\"><figcaption>Image courtesy of Astrolabe Games<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>A Spirit on a Mission: What Is Gurei?<\/h2>\n<p>You play as <strong>Rei<\/strong>, a human spirit trapped between the world of the living and the spirit realm, tasked with hunting down and defeating a roster of Kami \u2014 powerful supernatural entities drawn from Japanese mythology. Rather than following a linear path, Gurei drops you into a surreal castle and lets you choose which Kami to face first. The twist: each opponent grows stronger the further you progress, so the order in which you fight matters as much as the build you create.<\/p>\n<p>Defeating a Kami doesn&#8217;t just clear the encounter \u2014 it earns you that Kami&#8217;s unique skill. Chain enough wins together and you can craft a genuinely personalised combat style from a mix of enhanced dashes, healing powers, and execution-style finishing moves. Better still, every Kami you defeat sticks around as a ghostly companion, offering lore fragments, mechanical tips, and the occasional sarcastic aside as you work your way deeper into the castle.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"gt-video\">\n<div style=\"position:relative;padding-bottom:56.25%;height:0;overflow:hidden;\"><iframe src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/QVC1dRZ2nZk\" title=\"Gurei | Steam PC | Announcement Trailer\" loading=\"lazy\" style=\"position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;border:0;\" allow=\"accelerometer;clipboard-write;encrypted-media;gyroscope;picture-in-picture;web-share\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div><figcaption>Gurei | Steam PC | Announcement Trailer \u2014 via Astrolabe Games on YouTube<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>Japanese Mythology Meets Hand-Drawn Art<\/h2>\n<p>Gurei&#8217;s clearest selling point is its art direction. Every character, background, and animation is hand-drawn with a predominantly grey palette that gives the game a woodblock-print quality \u2014 think <em>Samurai Jack<\/em> filtered through classic chanbara cinema. The Kami designs lean into actual Japanese folklore, so players who grew up on anime and manga will recognise the inspirations even as the game puts its own spin on them.<\/p>\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.gametrader.sg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/gurei_ss2.jpg?w=474&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Gurei \u2014 hand-drawn environment in the spirit castle\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\"><figcaption>Image courtesy of Astrolabe Games<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The core loop \u2014 sword attacks, precise dodges, head stomps, and situational skills \u2014 is deliberately unforgiving. Critics who&#8217;ve played early builds describe it as demanding but fair, with a dynamic difficulty curve that punishes recklessness while rewarding players who study each Kami&#8217;s patterns before committing. Early impressions from <a href=\"https:\/\/checkpointgaming.net\/reviews\/2026\/07\/gurei-review-death-is-not-the-end\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Checkpoint Gaming<\/a> note that the steep skill curve suits veterans of games like Sekiro, though newcomers may need patience to find their footing.<\/p>\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.gametrader.sg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/gurei_ss3.jpg?w=474&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Gurei \u2014 Rei executing a finishing move against a Kami\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\"><figcaption>Image courtesy of Astrolabe Games<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>Non-Linear Boss Rush Done Right<\/h2>\n<p>What separates Gurei from the standard boss-rush formula is the way difficulty scales to your path rather than a fixed number. Face a weaker Kami late in your run and it will have grown alongside your power \u2014 keeping every encounter meaningful regardless of when you arrive. This design means no two playthroughs feel identical, and players chasing the perfect skill combination have genuine incentive to revisit.<\/p>\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.gametrader.sg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/gurei_ss4.jpg?w=474&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Gurei \u2014 Kami companion following Rei through the spirit castle\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\"><figcaption>Image courtesy of Astrolabe Games<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The companion system adds unexpected warmth: the Kami you defeat narrate their own mythologies, squabble with each other, and comment on your playstyle. It&#8217;s an unusual way to deliver lore, but one that fits a game about a spirit literally collecting supernatural allies.<\/p>\n<h2>How to Grab Gurei in Singapore<\/h2>\n<p>Gurei is <a href=\"https:\/\/store.steampowered.com\/app\/2191280\/Gurei\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">available now on Steam<\/a> at USD 14.39 \u2014 check the Steam listing for the current SGD price. PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch versions have been announced but remain TBA; check the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.astrolabe-games.ca\/gurei\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Astrolabe Games site<\/a> for updates on those. In the meantime, the Steam version is fully playable with controller support, making it a comfortable couch experience for players in Singapore who prefer gamepad over keyboard-and-mouse.<\/p>\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.gametrader.sg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/gurei_ss5.jpg?w=474&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Gurei \u2014 wide shot of a boss arena in the spirit realm\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\"><figcaption>Image courtesy of Astrolabe Games<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>For more Japan-culture game releases and <a href=\"\/blog\/category\/game-news\/\">gaming news<\/a> for Singapore fans, keep an eye on GameTrader.SG \u2014 we&#8217;ll cover the console release dates as soon as Astrolabe confirms them.<\/p>\n<p><!--GT-SCOUT source=\"Web (English)\" theme=\"Video games\" flags=\"none\"--><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Gurei is out now on Steam \u2014 a hand-drawn samurai action game where you fight Kami from Japanese mythology in any order and steal their powers.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":6276,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_is_tweetstorm":false,"jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":[]},"categories":[11],"tags":[888,889,886,83,887,124],"class_list":["post-6282","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-game-news","tag-action-games","tag-astrolabe-games","tag-gurei","tag-indie-games","tag-japanese-mythology","tag-steam"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.gametrader.sg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/gurei_header.jpg?fit=460%2C215&ssl=1","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p13AlF-1Dk","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":4544,"url":"https:\/\/www.gametrader.sg\/blog\/hantu-and-hunted-singapore-horror-prop-hunt-gameplay-reveal\/","url_meta":{"origin":6282,"position":0},"title":"Hantu and Hunted: Singapore Studio Zeevium Games Drops Gameplay Reveal","date":"June 30, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Singapore developer Zeevium Games reveals gameplay for Hantu and Hunted \u2014 an asymmetric horror prop hunt featuring Southeast Asian ghosts like Pocong and Kuntilanak. Wishlist now on Steam.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Game News&quot;","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.gametrader.sg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/hantu-and-hunted-gameplay-ss1.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":7411,"url":"https:\/\/www.gametrader.sg\/blog\/expeditions-samurai-steam-early-access-2026\/","url_meta":{"origin":6282,"position":1},"title":"Expeditions: Samurai Enters Steam Early Access \u2014 Feudal Japan Tactics With Co-op Launches Today","date":"August 8, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Campfire Cabal and THQ Nordic have launched Expeditions: Samurai into Steam Early Access with simultaneous combat resolution, party splitting, stealth, and two-player co-op. Act 1 \u2014 roughly eight hours across five main quests \u2014 is available now at US$19.79 with a 34% launch discount.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Game News&quot;","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.gametrader.sg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/expeditions-samurai-header.jpg?fit=460%2C215&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":8688,"url":"https:\/\/www.gametrader.sg\/blog\/genigods-nezha-gamescom-2026-chinese-mythology-action-rpg\/","url_meta":{"origin":6282,"position":2},"title":"Genigods: Nezha \u2014 Chinese Mythology Action RPG Makes Its Global Debut at Gamescom 2026","date":"August 27, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Genigods Lab's hardcore action RPG Genigods: Nezha had its worldwide reveal at Gamescom 2026, bringing ancient Chinese creation mythology to PS5, Xbox Series, and PC in 2028.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Game News&quot;","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.gametrader.sg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/genigods-nezha-boss-fight.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":7285,"url":"https:\/\/www.gametrader.sg\/blog\/phantom-blade-zero-goes-gold-pre-order-august-2026\/","url_meta":{"origin":6282,"position":3},"title":"Phantom Blade Zero Goes Gold \u2014 Pre-Orders Open 12 August in Singapore","date":"August 6, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Phantom Blade Zero goes gold. Pre-orders open 12 August at 10 AM SGT alongside an 11-minute new trailer. October 29 launch on PS5 and PC.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Game News&quot;","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.gametrader.sg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/phantom-blade-zero-header.jpg?fit=460%2C215&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":7687,"url":"https:\/\/www.gametrader.sg\/blog\/phantom-blade-zero-pre-orders-live-11-minute-trailer-august-2026\/","url_meta":{"origin":6282,"position":4},"title":"Phantom Blade Zero Pre-Orders Go Live \u2014 11-Minute Gameplay Trailer Out Now","date":"August 12, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Phantom Blade Zero's 11-minute gameplay trailer is live now. Pre-orders open at 10 AM SGT today on the PS5 Singapore Store, Steam and Epic Games Store ahead of the October 29 launch.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Game News&quot;","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.gametrader.sg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/phantom-blade-zero-gameplay-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":9441,"url":"https:\/\/www.gametrader.sg\/blog\/daba-land-of-water-scar-ps5-spring-2027\/","url_meta":{"origin":6282,"position":5},"title":"Daba: Land of Water Scar Gets Spring 2027 PS5 Window","date":"September 7, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Sony's PlayStation China Hero Project backs Dark Star's Daba: Land of Water Scar \u2014 a Souls-like action RPG steeped in Chinese myth, coming to PS5 and PC in Spring 2027.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;News&quot;","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.gametrader.sg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/daba-land-water-scar-key-art-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gametrader.sg\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6282"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gametrader.sg\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gametrader.sg\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gametrader.sg\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gametrader.sg\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6282"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.gametrader.sg\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6282\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gametrader.sg\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6276"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gametrader.sg\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6282"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gametrader.sg\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6282"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gametrader.sg\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6282"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}