French indie studio The Game Bakers has revealed Furi, a duelling game coming to PlayStation 4 and PC in 2016.

Furi is billed as an intense, ultra-responsive hack-and-slash with a unique mix of fast-paced sword fighting and dual-stick shooting, with formidable opponents designed by Afro Samurai creator Takashi Okazaki.

According to creative director Emeric Thoa, the idea for the game – a series of long boss fights against formidable opponents – came to him 10 years ago on a flight.

“Furi is designed with Japanese action games in mind – games that reward skills and reflexes, with a character that reacts immediately, like Devil May Cry, any game from Platinum, or even the Super Punch Out series,” he said.

“It’s a game that teases you before the fight, while you walk toward your fate, the same way you would be pumped up and stressed before a boxing match. As you do, you’ll start to piece together about why you’re here and what you’re fighting for.”