- Twin Hooks Demo Live Today! - 28 September 2026
From the creator of Hanako: Honor & Blade, Twin Hooks, a new co-op beat 'em up has a new demo available on Steam.You can download it and wishlist Twin Hooks here:We hope to build our community and take data from our demo to get the project funded.
- Public Playtest Event: Samurai Royale WIP Mode - Wednesday Dec 22nd @ 10pm EST - 21 December 2021
Samurai Royale Test - Details Tonight we will begin testing gameplay changes, new features and more. We will be testing on a BETA BRANCH during these events, which require some action in Steam. You can opt-in to our testing branch following the steps below: Step 1) Right click on Hanako: Honor & Blade in your Steam library and click Properties. Step 2) Click the Betas section. Step 3) In the "Enter beta access code to unlock private betas:" enter hanakotestingbranch Step 4) Click Check Code Step 5) In the beta dropdown choose testing_branch Step 6) This will now download the beta branch patch. Join us on http://discord.gg/playhanako around 10pm EST for our first post-launch Defeat the Devs. Testing Agenda for Tonight - We will be testing our Battle Royale mode called Samurai Royale in a VERY WIP/Prototype state. This is only our second test of the mode.
- WE ARE NOW FREE-TO-PLAY + F2P PATCH NOTES - 10 December 2021
WE ARE NOW FREE TO PLAY We are now officially a F2P title. We look forward to this next chapter of our long decade+ journey. We hope this allows more gamers like you to see what we've put into our game, for free and have an easier decision to make to stick around, join our community and help us grow the game more. We invite/encourage all players to join our Discord at http://discord.gg/playhanako Patch Notes: F2P Patch - Version 1.2 For this patch we wanted to focus on a few important areas: Adding more content to the item store, taking the three largest areas of feedback on the game: 1) dEaD GaMe (why we are going F2P to let anyone play any time); 2) "Needs more Impact"; 3) "Game is clunky in spots". New Content - Unicorn & Kintsukuroi Sets - All helmets, hats, masks, hair are equippable on both classes. All items in these sets have a different version for Hanako & Yamai (to help with…
- Final F2P Patch Test Night - Wednesday December 8th @ 10pm EST - 8 December 2021
F2P Patch Testing - Details This is our last test before the F2P patch ships on Friday. We will be testing all of our current features, bug fixes, etc. to make sure the build is stable for release. We will be testing on a BETA BRANCH during these events, which require some action in Steam. You can opt-in to our testing branch following the steps below: Step 1) Right click on Hanako: Honor & Blade in your Steam library and click Properties. Step 2) Click the Betas section. Step 3) In the "Enter beta access code to unlock private betas:" enter hanakotestingbranch Step 4) Click Check Code Step 5) In the beta dropdown choose testing_branch Step 6) This will now download the beta branch patch. Join us on http://discord.gg/playhanako around 10pm EST for our first post-launch Defeat the Devs. Testing Agenda for Tonight - Fixed some issues with the Tutorial. - Fixed issues with missing text on…
- Hanako: Honor & Blade to go Free-to-Play - 3 December 2021
We are going Free-to-Play We have decided as a dev team that is in our best interest, as a small independent game, to go Free-to-play as soon as possible to give our multiplayer title the best chance at reaching more players. Why F2P? We worked on Hanako, with everything we have, during our free time for 14 years and our launch, quite frankly has been a tremendous disappointment because we think we made a near-AAA quality multiplayer game, but never had the exposure, support or budget (Hanako was made with $0) to adequately get eyes on it. So we want to remove the barrier to entry and let as many people as could put their eyes on it, to play and hopefully get enough influx of new players to fill up servers, even scale them up and turn our focus to providing more content, new classes, maps, modes, etc. Despite being a team of 4 people, doing this after work, we have built our item store…
- Public Playtest Event: Defeat the Devs - Wednesday Dec 1st @ 10pm EST - 30 November 2021
Defeat the Devs - Details Tonight we will begin testing gameplay changes, new features and more. We will be testing on a BETA BRANCH during these events, which require some action in Steam. You can opt-in to our testing branch following the steps below: Step 1) Right click on Hanako: Honor & Blade in your Steam library and click Properties. Step 2) Click the Betas section. Step 3) In the "Enter beta access code to unlock private betas:" enter hanakotestingbranch Step 4) Click Check Code Step 5) In the beta dropdown choose testing_branch Step 6) This will now download the beta branch patch. https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.6435-9/244620590_4446613358738153_3074755384726873966_n.png?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=730e14&_nc_ohc=ifoES2bc4zIAX8gA4zk&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=c985382aff663fab6af5b0a4a60fb50a&oe=61834D18 Join us on http://discord.gg/playhanako around 10pm EST for our…
- We Need Your Nomination: Labor of Love - 24 November 2021
We would love your nomination for Labor of Love. Hanako: Honor & Blade started as a tribute to my late mother, who passed away from cancer. The game's backstory of samurai lore serves as a metaphor for al lost loved ones battle against disease. Over the course of our journey, many of our dev team have lost a parent to cancer and our game expanded as a growing tribute to many of our lost. We worked on this game after hours, after our jobs, late at night, through college in 2008; through a gruelingly long Early Access period from 2017 to 2021; and finally released in September 2021! Our team is still hard at work making the game better, working on new features, fixing bugs, making new cosmetic items and doing so with $0 budget, as we always have, in our free time. Even though our launch wasn't as big as we hoped, we still love our game, think we made something very high quality and deserv…
- Public Playtest Event: Defeat the Devs - Wednesday Nov 17th @ 10pm EST - 16 November 2021
Defeat the Devs - Details Tonight we will begin testing gameplay changes, new features and more. We will be testing on a BETA BRANCH during these events, which require some action in Steam. You can opt-in to our testing branch following the steps below: Step 1) Right click on Hanako: Honor & Blade in your Steam library and click Properties. Step 2) Click the Betas section. Step 3) In the "Enter beta access code to unlock private betas:" enter hanakotestingbranch Step 4) Click Check Code Step 5) In the beta dropdown choose testing_branch Step 6) This will now download the beta branch patch. https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.6435-9/244620590_4446613358738153_3074755384726873966_n.png?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=730e14&_nc_ohc=ifoES2bc4zIAX8gA4zk&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=c985382aff663fab6af5b0a4a60fb50a&oe=61834D18 Join us on http://discord.gg/playhanako around 10pm EST for our…
- Event Tonight: Defeat the Devs - Wednesday Nov 10th @ 10pm EST - 11 November 2021
Defeat the Devs - October 13th @ 10pm EST Tonight we will begin testing gameplay changes, new features and more. We will be testing on a BETA BRANCH during these events, which require some action in Steam. You can opt-in to our testing branch following the steps below: Step 1) Right click on Hanako: Honor & Blade in your Steam library and click Properties. Step 2) Click the Betas section. Step 3) In the "Enter beta access code to unlock private betas:" enter hanakotestingbranch Step 4) Click Check Code Step 5) In the beta dropdown choose testing_branch Step 6) This will now download the beta branch patch. https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.6435-9/244620590_4446613358738153_3074755384726873966_n.png?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=730e14&_nc_ohc=ifoES2bc4zIAX8gA4zk&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=c985382aff663fab6af5b0a4a60fb50a&oe=61834D18 Join us on http://discord.gg/playhanako around…
- Event Tonight: Defeat the Devs - Wednesday October 13th @ 10pm EST - 13 October 2021
Defeat the Devs - October 13th @ 10pm EST Tonight we will begin testing gameplay changes, new features and more. We will be testing on a BETA BRANCH during these events, which require some action in Steam. You can opt-in to our testing branch following the steps below: Step 1) Right click on Hanako: Honor & Blade in your Steam library and click Properties. Step 2) Click the Betas section. Step 3) In the "Enter beta access code to unlock private betas:" enter hanakotestingbranch Step 4) Click Check Code Step 5) In the beta dropdown choose testing_branch Step 6) This will now download the beta branch patch. https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.6435-9/244620590_4446613358738153_3074755384726873966_n.png?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=730e14&_nc_ohc=ifoES2bc4zIAX8gA4zk&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=c985382aff663fab6af5b0a4a60fb50a&oe=61834D18 Join us on http://discord.gg/playhanako around…
- Event Tonight: Defeat the Devs - Wednesday October 6th @ 10pm EST - 6 October 2021
Defeat the Devs - October 6th @ 10pm EST Tonight we will begin testing gameplay changes, new features and more. We will be testing on a BETA BRANCH during these events, which require some action in Steam. You can opt-in to our testing branch following the steps below: Step 1) Right click on Hanako: Honor & Blade in your Steam library and click Properties. Step 2) Click the Betas section. Step 3) In the "Enter beta access code to unlock private betas:" enter hanakotestingbranch Step 4) Click Check Code Step 5) In the beta dropdown choose testing_branch Step 6) This will now download the beta branch patch. https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.6435-9/244620590_4446613358738153_3074755384726873966_n.png?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=730e14&_nc_ohc=ifoES2bc4zIAX8gA4zk&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=c985382aff663fab6af5b0a4a60fb50a&oe=61834D18 Join us on http://discord.gg/playhanako around 1…
- Event Tonight: Defeat the Devs - Weds September 29th @ 10pm EST - 29 September 2021
Defeat the Devs - September 22nd @ 10pm EST We would like to thank everyone for their support and interest in our launch. We are currently compiling feedback lists from reviews, posts, etc. to roadmap what we plan to do next. In the meantime, we will continue our weekly events on our Discord where the community and dev team can meet in-game and play through the game for a few hours and enjoy the game with guaranteed human matches. Join us on http://discord.gg/playhanako around 10pm EST for our first post-launch Defeat the Devs.
- Hotfix: 1.0.0.050 - 20 September 2021
Bug fix for knockdown animations breaking when you get hit. Bug fix for ninja bots not playing weapon animations during status effects. Added ability to re-bind movement keys on keyboard. Increased AI difficulty game-wide. Servers will patch and restart.
- First Post-Launch Event: Defeat the Devs - Weds September 22nd @ 10pm EST - 20 September 2021
Defeat the Devs - September 22nd @ 10pm EST We would like to thank everyone for their support and interest in our launch. We are currently compiling feedback lists from reviews, posts, etc. to roadmap what we plan to do next. In the meantime, we will continue our weekly events on our Discord where the community and dev team can meet in-game and play through the game for a few hours and enjoy the game with guaranteed human matches. We are fully aware of the state of our player base, and want it to grow as badly as you do. Though we have spent our entire Epic MegaGrant to spread the word about our game, it hasn't grown as quickly as we hoped, and we realize how little control we actually have over our player base size. What we do control, is that we can be there in-game with you when we can and we will keep hosting events and making improvements to the game. Join us on http://discord.gg/p…
- Digital Release Party: September 14th @ 9PM EST - 12:30AM EST - 14 September 2021
Virtual Release Party: September 14th from 9pm EST to our MIDNIGHT Release September 15th. After starting Hanako: Honor & Blade as a college project all the way back in 2008, and releasing to Early Access in October of 2017. We are proud to finally announce we will be releasing fully on Steam, graduating from Early Access at September 15th at Midnight EST. Our launch trailer will promptly launch just before midnight and will be premiered on stream live! Join us live on stream on any of the following platforms: Twitch: http://twitch.tv/hanakogame Facebook Live: http://facebook.com/playhanako Steam: http://steam.playhanako.com Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/HanakoSouloftheSamuraiGame
- TONIGHT Weekly Event 2nd-to-last playtest before launch!!! - 8 September 2021
Event Details We'll be starting at 10pm EST / 2a UTC on the US-Mid Official Server and voice chat on http://discord.gg/playhanako See the testing initiatives below for what we'll be testing tonight. Testing Initiatives/Test Patch Notes - Bug fixes to verify -- MAJOR Fix - Ninja grappling causing input lock/movement failure. -- MAJOR Fix - Server crash that would occur during most matches. -- MAJOR Fix - Movement animations sometimes getting stuck in the "falling" pose. -- MAJOR Fix - Ultrawide support added/fixed game-wide. -- MAJOR Fix - AI stopping pathing/moving/attacking. -- Fix - Animation transitions when jumping in water fixed. -- MAJOR Fix - Crash in tutorial when killing AI. - New Changes Updates -- Items added: Oni Helmet, Symbol Helmet, Basket Hat -- French language support added We do development streams of our dev and preparation for our weekly events usually Sun-Tues aroun…
- TONIGHT Weekly Event: Defeat the Devs Playtest September 1st @ 10PM EST Details - 1 September 2021
Event Details We'll be starting at 10pm EST / 2a UTC on the US-Mid Official Server and voice chat on http://discord.gg/playhanako See the testing initiatives below for what we'll be testing tonight. Testing Initiatives/Test Patch Notes - Bug fixes to verify -- Overhaul of Duel queue system. -- Fixes for bad camera positions if walls were too close to spawn points. -- Major bug fix for animation issues with top/bottom body poses (impossible spine twisting, Exorcist style). -- Fix for Nagi's buff ability firing the FX twice. -- Fix for ninja victory pose desync with weapon. -- Major fix for end of match characters T-posing. -- AI bug fixes to pathing/staying closer to objectives. - Gameplay Changes -- FX updates to many class abilities. -- FX polish on scroll pickups. -- Audio polish/updates, especially to menus. - Item Store -- Added some new skins to test. The Shadow bundle is now compl…
- TONIGHT Weekly Event: Defeat the Devs Playtest August 25th @ 10PM EST Details - 25 August 2021
Event Details We'll be starting at 10pm EST / 2a UTC on the US-Mid Official Server and voice chat on http://discord.gg/playhanako See the testing initiatives below for what we'll be testing tonight. We'll be recording b-roll for GIF and trailer creation so we'll need players to help coordinate! Testing Initiatives/Test Patch Notes - Bug fixes to verify -- Abilities with stun immunity should no longer be interrupted by parry/stun moves. -- MAJOR fix for point-blank "charge" moves not working. This applies to Fuji Hammer, Sweeping Charge and Bow Sweep (that was previously 100% broken/not working). This also fixes a design bug with Sweeping Charge where it would not knockdown multiple opponents, it now will. -- MAJOR fix for aerial physics allowing certain charge/dash/grapple manuvers to launch the player impossible distances. This should now be reduced and more to intended design. -- MAJO…
- TONIGHT Weekly Event: Defeat the Devs Playtest August 18th @ 10PM EST Details - 18 August 2021
Event Details We'll be starting at 10pm EST / 2a UTC on the US-Mid Official Server and voice chat on http://discord.gg/playhanako See the testing initiatives below for what we'll be testing tonight. We'll be recording b-roll for GIF and trailer creation so we'll need players to help coordinate! Testing Initiatives/Test Patch Notes - Bug fixes to verify -- Knockdown/Knockback/Stun animations properly follow priority (KD > Stun > Knockback) -- Myriad of camera popping issues, especially with other characters, should be fixed -- Fixes for stun priority. -- Fix for objective getting destroyed at timer hits 0:00 granting points to both teams and breaking the match. -- Improvements to stun-priority -- Laundry list of fixes/improvements to Duel mode. - Gameplay Changes -- FX updates to many class abilities. -- Audio polish/updates - Item Store -- Added some new skins to test. - Duel -- Test ch…
- TONIGHT Weekly Event: Defeat the Devs Playtest August 4th @ 10PM EST Details - 11 August 2021
Event Details We'll be starting at 10pm EST / 2a UTC on the US-Mid Official Server and voice chat on http://discord.gg/playhanako See the testing initiatives below for what we'll be testing tonight. We'll be recording b-roll for GIF and trailer creation so we'll need players to help coordinate! Testing Initiatives/Test Patch Notes - Bug fixes to verify -- Knockdown/Knockback/Stun animations properly follow priority (KD > Stun > Knockback) -- Myriad of camera popping issues, especially with other characters, should be fixed -- Some audio bugs. -- Fix for longstanding physics bug related to too many players standing on capture points. -- Fix for not being able to fire projectiles inside Yamai Castle. -- Various small UI bug fixes. - Gameplay Changes -- FX updates to many class abilities. -- Changes to how reload works, to work more reliably. -- Audio polish/updates - Item Store -- Banners…
