Japan Report #6

The Japanese industry shows no signs of slowing down even at the beginning of July. The new Japan Report brings a mix of major comebacks, niche visual novels, unusual indie projects, and several console ports that could find their audience outside of Japan. The most attention has been drawn to the delay of the game Danganronpa 2×2, but there is also the Western announcement for STEINS;GATE: Octet of Shifting Space, new details for Olympia Soiree Catharsis, as well as the reveal of the ambitious survival crafting RPG Wild Wild Eden.

Danganronpa 2×2 will not be released this year

Danganronpa 2×2 will no longer be released in 2026. Spike Chunsoft and Gemdrops have pushed the game's release to early 2027, explaining that the development needs more time. The game is planned for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, and PC.

This release will not just be a simple remaster of the game Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Despair. Players will be able to choose from the start between the “Original” mode, which offers a refreshed version of the well-known story, and a completely new Slayhem mode. This new scenario changes the course of events, victims, culprits, and tricks, and according to the announcement, it brings approximately 20 percent more content than the original mode. Additionally, the game world receives a new 3D map that replaces the older side view of the island.

STEINS;GATE: Octet of Shifting Space is coming to the West

Spike Chunsoft will release STEINS;GATE: Octet of Shifting Space in the West for PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, and PC. This is a retro visual novel adventure that originally launched in Japan back in 2011 for PC, and it will now be available for the first time on consoles and Steam.

The uniqueness of this release lies in imagining how STEINS;GATE would look if it were created as a computer adventure from the eighties. Instead of a modern choice system, the game uses text commands, allowing players to explore Akihabara as Rintaro Okabe and try to find the once again stolen IBN 5100. Visually, it relies on old PC graphic styles, including 8-bit displays and green monochrome screens, while the music attempts to capture the sound of FM synthesis and PSG chips.

Olympia Soiree Catharsis is coming to the West in 2027

Aksys Games has confirmed that Olympia Soiree Catharsis will arrive in the West during 2027 for Nintendo Switch. This is a sequel to the otome visual novel Olympia Soiree, which was released in Japan at the end of 2025.

The story takes place two and a half years after the events of the previous game. The island is changing under the influence of the younger generation, and Olympia is preparing for a long-awaited wedding ceremony. However, the arrival of an unknown man with hair the color of White raises questions about the future of the island and its inhabitants. For fans of otome titles, this could be one of the more significant Western releases in 2027.

SKY THE SCRAPER is getting console versions

The unusual roguelike action title SKY THE SCRAPER is coming to PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch 2, and Nintendo Switch. The release date has not yet been announced, but the console versions are expected to be playable at the OPEN GAME FEST 2026 event in Kyoto.

The game originally released for PC in July 2025, and the main idea is quite different from typical roguelike titles. Players take on the role of a young man named Sky, who works as a window washer on tall buildings. Each job comes with a time limit, dangers, changing conditions, and the risk of falling. Behind the simple premise lies a combination of action, routine, and everyday survival.

Beyblade X: EVOBATTLE is coming to PlayStation 5

FuRyu and Groove Box Japan have announced the PlayStation 5 version of the game Beyblade X: EVOBATTLE. The release date has not yet been confirmed. The game is already available for Nintendo Switch and PC, while the version for Nintendo Switch 2 was released at the end of 2025.

EVOBATTLE is an action game based on the fourth generation of the Beyblade franchise, Beyblade X. The game relies on fast-paced battles, customization of beyblades, and online competition against other players. The single-player mode features an original story with new characters, including Tenku Shiroboshi from the anime series, as well as additional characters created specifically for the game.

Boku to Tsuri Nikki brings a calmer fishing adventure

Imagineer and Toybox have announced Boku to Tsuri Nikki for Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch. The game will be released in Japan on October 8, 2026, both physically and digitally, priced at 6,578 yen. The version for Nintendo Switch 2 will come as a game-key card edition.

This is a fishing action game set in a peaceful world inspired by nature and traditional Japan. Players explore the environment, search for habitats of various fish, use a guide to species, and engage in fishing duels that combine exploration and strategy. The story follows a young man who tries to restore color to a cursed world through fishing.

Dungeon Antiqua arrives on consoles at the end of July

The retro dungeon crawler RPG Dungeon Antiqua is coming to PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch on July 30, 2026. The release will cost 1,000 yen and will support English, Japanese, and simplified Chinese languages.

The game has been available on PC since October 2024 and relies on the aesthetics and sound of RPGs from the eighties and nineties. It focuses on 2D maps, automatically generated dungeons, various classes, free party composition, and quick exploration without too much narrative retention. For players who enjoy older dungeon crawlers, this seems like a small but very targeted title.

Hatsune Miku Starry Party announced for Nintendo Switch 2 and PC

Good Smile Company has announced Hatsune Miku Starry Party, a new party action game set to release in 2027 for Nintendo Switch 2 and PC via Steam. The game will support English, Japanese, traditional Chinese, and simplified Chinese languages.

So far, not many details about the gameplay have been revealed, but the combination of Hatsune Miku, party action, and release on Nintendo Switch 2 already makes this title interesting to a wider audience, especially for fans of the Vocaloid scene and lighter multiplayer games. The announcement has so far been accompanied by a teaser trailer, so more concrete information is expected later.

Wild Wild Eden is a new survival RPG from Shueisha Games

Shueisha Games and Magnus Games Studio have officially presented Wild Wild Eden, an open-world survival crafting RPG previously known as Project Survival. The game will first be released in Early Access for PC via Steam in spring 2027.

Wild Wild Eden combines survival, settlement building, open-world exploration, and connection with monsters. Players will be able to explore floating land masses, ancient ruins, forests, mountains, and oceans, build their own home, cultivate resources, engage in activities like farming and fishing, and tame creatures that are not just envisioned as tools, but as companions and part of the community.

Notably, the monster breeding system allows for the transfer of abilities, traits, and rare variations to new generations of companions. The game will support solo play and online cooperation, and visually it relies on an anime-inspired style. If the development fulfills its promises, Wild Wild Eden could be one of the more interesting survival projects from the Japanese publishing space in 2027.