First Look at Wu-Tang Rise of the Deceiver, a Hip-Hop Odyssey in Gaming

Wu-Tang Clan fans, get hyped! Revealed at Summer Game Fest 2025, Wu-Tang Rise of the Deceiver, crafted by Brass Lion Entertainment, is a co-op action RPG that blends the raw pulse of hip-hop with slick anime-style combat and a bold Afro-surrealist twist. You’ll plunge into the mythic world of Shaolin, teaming up with the Wu-Tang Clan to take on a shadowy force called the Deceiver.

This evil entity is out to crush the community’s dreams and creativity, and it’s up to you and up to three friends online to stop it.“Creating Angel of Dust has been an incredible journey,” says Ghostface Killah, a key figure in the project. “Bringing the story to life through film was just the beginning. Now, with the development of the video game, we are immersing fans even deeper into this supernatural thriller universe.”

Brass Lion Entertainment, a studio founded in 2019 by industry veterans Bryna Dabby Smith and Rashad Redic, is behind this ambitious debut. Their mission is clear: build a game that honors the Wu-Tang Clan’s cultural impact while delivering an experience that resonates with diverse audiences. “We are beyond excited to finally share this game with the public, and to build upon the creative foundation of Angel of Dust with Ghostface Killah,” say co-founders Dabby Smith and Redic. “We are honored to be entrusted with continuing to build upon the legacy of the legendary Wu-Tang Clan.” The game ties into Angel of Dust, an upcoming supernatural thriller film produced by Ghostface Killah and directed by RZA, blending themes of creativity and resistance against forces that stifle it.


Music is the heartbeat of Rise of the Deceiver. Legendary producer Just Blaze oversees a dynamic soundtrack that weaves classic Wu-Tang tracks like “C.R.E.A.M.” and “Protect Ya Neck” with new material, reacting to the on-screen action. “I’ve actually gotten to reimagine the catalog in a space that is larger than life,” Just Blaze shared. “It’s literally a dream come true.” This isn’t a rhythm game like Hi-Fi Rush, but a responsive soundscape that shifts with your moves, amplifying the intensity of battles.


Combat draws heavily from anime and classic Shaw Brothers martial arts films, a nod to the Wu-Tang Clan’s long-standing love for kung fu cinema. Players navigate increasingly challenging “battle Chambers” in a surreal dreamworld called the Medium, facing fantastical enemies with the Clan’s wisdom and powers. Collect Jewels to tailor your fighting style and gear to craft a unique look. “If you look at the way hip-hop impacts fashion sensibilities globally for 50-odd years, we’re trying to pay homage to that,” says Evan Narcisse, the game’s writer.


The narrative tackles heavy themes—loss of inspiration, the erosion of creativity, and the fight to preserve community. “What would happen to humanity if we lost our ability to create and innovate, to no longer connect through collaboration and shared dreams?” asks Rashad Redic, Brass Lion’s chief creative officer.

Unlike the Wu-Tang Clan’s 1999 game Shaolin Style, a PlayStation fighting title with a niche cult following, Rise of the Deceiver aims for broader appeal.“Part of what we want to do with this game is honor the places where hip-hop comes from, which is still underrepresented in this medium,” Narcisse explains.

Originally rumored as an Xbox exclusive under the codename Project Shaolin, the game is now set to launch on PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store, with console releases planned but not detailed. No release date has been confirmed, but the teaser trailer shown at Summer Game Fest 2025 has sparked excitement. “It’s more than a game, it’s a movement, a piece of our history and the future all in one,” Ghostface Killah told The Washington Post.