Kaidan – Action Extraction in a Ghostly Japanese Realm
I’m intrigued by Kaidan’s blend of extraction mechanics with supernatural Japanese horror.
Overview
At the Future Game Shows at GC 2025, indie developer 5th Column Studio unveiled Kaidan, an action-extraction game set in a supernatural Japanese world. Players form teams to venture into the afterlife, retrieve treasures, and return—or risk losing everything if they fail.
Game Highlights
- Play as a Seeker: After making a pact with The Envoy, you return to your once-peaceful homeland, Ikaiguchi—now teeming with demonic threats—to hunt for treasures and survive.
- Solo or Cooperative Missions: Navigate cursed temples, ruined villages, and mist-bound lands either alone or with allies, battling yōkai and powerful bosses in life-or-death confrontations.
- Character Variety with Strategy: Choose from multiple characters—each carries unique strengths and weaknesses. Success depends on thoughtful planning and teamwork.
- Risk‑Reward Gameplay: Before entering missions, you must decide how much essential gear to carry versus rare relics to recover. Death means losing everything, making every decision critical.
- Customization & Upgrades: Enhance your weapons and abilities to suit your playstyle—survival is paramount.
Release Information
Designed for PC via Steam, Kaidan is currently in development with no confirmed release date. Players can add it to their Wishlist to stay updated on future announcements and testing opportunities.
Strong Closing
Kaidan offers a thrilling blend of horror, strategy, and survival—all wrapped in eerie Japanese folklore. Its extraction-style gameplay adds intense stakes: victory yields treasure, but failure means total loss. The need to balance preparation, teamwork, and risk makes each mission a tense, immersive experience. With its atmospheric world and thoughtful mechanics, Kaidan promises a haunting journey you’ll remember.
Final Thought
I’m intrigued by Kaidan’s blend of extraction mechanics with supernatural Japanese horror. The tension of deciding what to risk in each run, coupled with cooperative or solo play, suggests high replay value and emotional investment. It’s rare to see mechanics so tightly tied to narrative—that sense of “go big or lose it all” can bring unforgettable moments. I’m eager to see how this world evolves as it approaches release.
