English and Traditional Chinese versions of Touken Ranbu Online are shutting down on August 21, 2023. The Japanese version will continue operations, but players will no longer be able to play the official English and Chinese release on Johren soon.
An explanation for Touken Ranbu Online shutting down was not given by the developers or Johten. However, it’s possible that the game was not generating enough revenue to incentivize further developments and server upkeep. On August 21, the English and Chinese versions of the game will be delisted, and servers will go offline. Those who want to continue playing the game must play the Japanese version, but this means that players would need to start all over.
The latest entry in the long-running Touken Ranbu series is Touken Ranbu Warriors, a Musou spin-off by Koei Tecmo, Omega Force, and Ruby Party. Players may hack-and-slash their way through demons with famous Touken Danshi in this Nintendo Switch and PC (Steam title). The game was released in the west on May 24, 2022, and a free demo is available right now.
Here’s a brief overview of Touken Ranbu Online, via the official Johren listing:
About Touken Ranbu Online
Head into battle with Touken Danshi at your side!
The year is 2205. Revisionists seeking to change history have begun to attack the past. The “Saniwa”, who has been given the task of protecting the history, heads back in time with “Touken Danshi”, the fabled swords that have taken the forms of powerful warrior.
- Fabled swords have taken the forms of powerful warriors called “Touken Danshi”.
- You must become the “Saniwa” who leads them, and fight to protect history.
- Gather eight types of Touken Danshi — Tanto, Wakizashi, Uchigatana, Tachi, Otachi, Naginata, Yari and Tsurugi — and create your own unique battalion!
- Fight your way across a variety of battlefields in this sword-raising simulation game.
Lastly, Touken Ranbu Online is available for Android, iOS, and PC until August 21.
