Veteran Japanese game designers announce Edo period roguelike game Shinonome for PC

WODAN, a Japanese studio founded by veteran game designers Kenichi Iwao and Tatsuya Yoshikawa, has announced Shinonome, a roguelike game based around the concept of a haunted house from the Edo period. It will launch in Early Access for PC via Steam on November 11.

Iwao previously worked at Capcom, Square Enix, Studio 4°C, DeNA, and Oriflamme, while Yoshikawa was previously employed by Capcom, DeNA, Nintendo, Oriflamme, and Sanzigen.

The Early Access version of Shinonome will feature all three main game modes. While each mode shares many commonalities, they will grow more distinct over the course of Early Access. User feedback will allow the developer to offer a more “multifarious experience with improved tutorials, a wider range of enemy types including bosses, additional tools, and a more engaging storyline.” The Early Access period is expected to last two to four months, but may extend further based on feedback.

Here is an overview of the game, via its Steam page:

About

Shinonome is a roguelike game based around the concept of a haunted house from the Japanese Edo period.

The main character, Yono, in a novice Onyo student. Her main goal is to escape the haunted house alive by escaping from and exorcising the ayakashi (monsters and vengeful spirits).

You don’t need action techniques to do this; you need to observe the clues left by the ayakashi, like trails and sounds, and using them to formulate strategies.

Shinonome is a new type of escape game, wherein you use your courage and mind to overcome challenges.

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Key Features

• Japanese Horror – Enjoy a unique and terrifying experience as you explore the old Japanese house, which combines rustic beauty with darkness.
• Diverse Ways to Play – Draw them in and trap them. Set up a trick and run. Draw in their natural enemies…There are countless ways to take care of the ayakashi. This game finds its true beginning when you discover your own way to work through it.
• Highly Replayable – Overcome to finely detailed haunted house in “Harae.” Escape from a randomly generated haunted house as you work to preserve your tools and food to survive in “Misogi.” Explore the endless dungeons and towers taking short breaks at stores and kitchens inside them in “Gyou.” Each of the games three modes will keep you coming back for more.

Watch the announcement trailer below. View the first screenshots at the gallery.

Announce Trailer

English

Japanese