Shinobido 2 confirmed for PS Vita launch in US

Sony has detailed a Japanese PlayStation Vita launch lineup packed with 26 titles ready to go when the system hits shelves December 17. While the electronics giant hasn't been as precisely detailed with international release dates and launch games, the lineup isn't entirely unknown. Namco Bandai Games America today announced that it would localize Shinobido 2: Tales of the Ninja and have it on US store shelves in time for the PS Vita's North American debut next year.

Shinobido 2 is a ninja stealth action game developed by Acquire. The studio has made a name for itself in the genre, having created the original Tenchu: Stealth Assassins for the original PlayStation, as well as the more recent Wii revamp Tenchu: Shadow Assassins. Beyond that franchise, Acquire developed the What Did I Do to Deserve This, My Lord!? series of PSP strategy games, as well as the Way of the Samurai trilogy of historical action adventure games known for their branching narratives.

For Shinobido 2, players will assume the role of Asuka Ninja clan recruit Zen, running a variety of assassination missions for the group. The game will make use of the system's touch screen and back touch panel for switching to first-person mode, targeting projectiles, or focusing on nearby threats.

For more on the game, check out GameSpot's previous coverage of Shinobido 2.