River City Saga: Journey to the West Gets New Trailer and June 4 Global Release Date
Arc System Works and developer UnitePlus have revealed a new official trailer for River City Saga: Journey to the West, the first roguelike entry in the long-running River City series. The upcoming action game brings the franchise’s signature comedy, brawling, and over-the-top chaos into a fresh adventure inspired by the classic Chinese tale Journey to the West.
In River City Saga: Journey to the West, familiar River City energy meets legendary characters like Sun Wukong, Zhu Bajie, Sha Wujing, and Tang Sanzang. However, in true Kunio-kun fashion, the main cast has been reimagined with the series’ trademark humor and hard-hitting action. Players will set out on a wild journey to Tianzhu, battling waves of enemies, encountering strange allies, and facing off against memorable bosses along the way.
The game introduces roguelike action to the River City formula, meaning every run offers new opportunities to grow stronger. As players progress through stages, gods may appear at random and grant Secret Skills that improve abilities, stats, and combat options. With 80 different Secret Skills available, players can experiment with a wide range of builds and discover powerful combinations that suit their playstyle.
Combat is built around three distinct fighting styles. Players begin as Sun Wukong, who focuses on speed and fast-paced attacks. As the story advances, Zhu Bajie becomes available with a power-focused fighting style, while Sha Wujing offers long-range combat options. Each character brings unique strengths to the battlefield, giving players more strategic choices when taking on the game’s unpredictable stages and enemy swarms.
Longtime fans of the River City series can also look forward to plenty of familiar faces. Classic characters will appear throughout the adventure in roles inspired by Journey to the West. Some will support Kunio’s crew during their travels, while others will challenge players as bosses. The game also promises plenty of humorous dialogue and chaotic interactions, staying true to the playful spirit that has made the series a fan favorite for decades.
River City Saga: Journey to the West is currently in development for Windows PC via Steam, Nintendo Switch, and PlayStation 5. The game is scheduled for a worldwide release on June 4. Pricing is set at $19.99 in the West and 2,970 yen in Japan.
With its mix of roguelike progression, classic River City beat ’em up action, multiple playable fighting styles, and a comedic take on Journey to the West, River City Saga: Journey to the West is shaping up to be an energetic new chapter for the franchise. Fans of action games, roguelikes, and Kunio-kun-style brawlers may want to keep an eye on this one when it launches this June.
