Shade of the Marionette Reveals First Trailer, Launching in 2027

The developer KIWIWALKS, known for the WitchSpring games, has released the first trailer for Shade of the Marionette: The Story of Piyorita, its upcoming 3D action RPG. Set in the WitchSpring universe, the game is scheduled to launch in the second half of 2027.

The trailer offers a glimpse of the story, characters, and especially the combat, showing that the studio is taking a different approach from its previous titles.

Meet Piyorita, the Protagonist of Shade of the Marionette

The protagonist is Piyorita, a doll who awakens in a place called the White Nest, with no emotions or memories.

Guided by a mysterious, familiar voice, she begins exploring hidden rooms beyond a mirror. Her goal is to absorb the life force of other dolls and become the so-called Masterpiece.

However, other dolls known as Failures also want to earn that title and see Piyorita as a rival.

Interestingly, the order in which players unlock these rooms can change the scenes they encounter and how the story unfolds.

What Will the Combat Be Like?

The game features 3D action combat with different weapons, magic, and dodging mechanics. Each weapon has its own attack speed, range, and abilities, allowing players to switch equipment in the middle of battle.

Another highlight is the ability to absorb the life force of defeated bosses and turn them into dolls that can be summoned to fight alongside Piyorita.

Players will also be able to gather materials while exploring to craft weapons, spells, and traps, as well as upgrade their equipment and dolls at the White Nest.

A New RPG From the Creators of WitchSpring R

For those unfamiliar with the studio, KIWIWALKS is behind the WitchSpring franchise. Its most recent game, WitchSpring R, has already sold over 300,000 copies worldwide.

With Shade of the Marionette, the studio is trying its hand at an action RPG for the first time, keeping the franchise’s distinctive universe while introducing real-time combat.

Shade of the Marionette: The Story of Piyorita is scheduled to launch in the second half of 2027 for PC (Steam), PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo platforms. Specific console models and an exact release date have yet to be announced.