Looks like Toei Animation, the animation studio behind popular anime series such as Dragon Ball, Sailor Moon and One Piece, is now expanding its repertoire by publishing an indie game.
Toei Animation will be publishing Toydium’s next game, Noroi Kago: The Grudged Domain.
The developer behind Gift (which was published by Bushiroad) swaps the heartwarming puzzle-adventure for a creepy co-op horror game where a team of four players must “escape from an enclosed space where Yokai roam”.
Noroi Kago: The Grudged Domain has a striking art style inspired by Japanese horror films as well as works of Shigeru Mizuki (GeGeGe no Kitaro). So you have chibi characters contrasting the splotchy, grainy ambience that plays with its lighting to create an unsettling feel.
Gameplay-wise, Noroi Kago: The Grudged Domain isn’t calling itself a roguelike, but map items and various gimmicks will appear at different locations in each play session, so you’ll always be on your toes. Not only must you avoid yokai, but players can be cursed into being a half-demon (which requires co-operation from other players to break free from). There are items that will aid in your escape, fend off yokai, and even revive fallen friends.
If you have a group of friends seeking new experience like Phasmophobia, Content Warning, and other games within the new burgeoning sub-genre of co-op horror games, put Noroi Kago: The Grudged Domain on your radar.
The game has no release date yet but it’s coming to PC (Steam). But expect to see the game appearing at the show floor of Tokyo Game Show 2024.