- Selected as ‘Best of Show’ at PAX East 2026… Over 1,500 illustrations
- An adventure combining romance and psychological thriller… Approx. 3-hour demo released
Japanese indie game development and publishing label C#4R4CT3R (Character) released the first public demo of the lo-fi psychological thriller romance adventure ‘Rain98’ on Steam on October 17.
This demo version was unveiled at the indie game showcase ‘The MIX Fall Game Showcase 2026’ held on the 16th (North American local time).
‘Rain98’ is a unique narrative-driven adventure game that combines a lo-fi sensibility with elements of a psychological thriller and romance. Stimulating both a peculiar sense of tension and emotion, this title is set to attract global users in earnest, starting with the release of its demo. The full version is currently under development with a target release date of 2027 on PC Steam.
[Related Article: PAX East Winner… Lo-fi Psycho Romance ‘Rain 98’ Sets Out to Capture Korean Fans]
Tokyo, 1998, ‘Amehara Reina’, a girl who wishes for the apocalypse
The setting of the game is Tokyo in 1998, where endless rain falls and the atmosphere of the end of the century is palpable.
The protagonist, who accidentally time-slips into this era, encounters a mysterious girl named Amehara Reina waiting for the world to end in a corner of an apartment. Reina, brought to life by the passionate performance of acclaimed voice actress Rio Tsuchiya, and the protagonist prepare a strange ‘ritual’ to prevent the destruction of the world.
However, this romance is far from ordinary. The player must earn money through part-time jobs to care for Reina while simultaneously managing her capricious moods. This is because a terrible and unbearable ending awaits if one even slightly offends her.
The game perfectly recreates the nostalgic Tokyo of ’98 with payphone ringtones, arcade noises, and Shibuya neon signs spreading in the rain, and also includes the fun of small and charming mini-games, such as enjoying a date with Reina, pulling capsule toys, or bead crafting.
A psychological thriller where the boundary between reality and delusion collapses
However, the peaceful daily life of the two, which seemed like it would last forever, soon begins to crack slowly. The protagonist’s memories fade like fog, and mysterious apparitions obscure their vision, while the enigmatic girl Reina also tightens the noose around the player, hiding a massive secret.
It unfolds like a typical well-made psychological thriller where the boundary between reality and delusion crumbles. This gloomy yet captivating atmosphere creates synergy with the distinctive lo-fi OST, which blends gentle jazz piano with the sound of rain.
The near-obsessive craftsmanship that the development team poured into the character of Reina also stands out. There are over 1,500 illustrations created just to depict her daily life. Every moment of Reina—sitting blankly on a sofa flipping through magazines or sadly exhaling cigarette smoke—comes alive on the screen.
The official version coming in 2027 is set to offer a comprehensive gift set of over 100 mini-games along with a substantial playtime of about 10 hours.
The trial version is approximately 3 hours long, and save data is transferred to the full version.
This demo version consists of approximately 3 hours of content, covering the prologue, Chapter 1, and the first half of Chapter 2. The remaining content of Chapter 2 will be added to the demo via a future update. We are also preparing to allow save data created in the demo to be carried over into the full version.
Selected as PAX East ‘Best of Show’… First unveiled in Korea at BIC 2026
The unique aura of ‘Rain98’ has already captivated the global stage. It has emerged as a promising star in the indie game scene, having been selected for the highest honor, ‘Best of Show,’ at PAX East 2026, as well as conquering BitSummit, Bilibili World, and ChinaJoy.
Foreign media outlet Boss Rush even went so far as to praise it as “a fresh shock never before experienced.” It also has a deep connection with Korean gamers. At ‘BIC 2026’ held in Busan last August, it drew admiration from attendees with its exquisite harmony of late-century retro vibes and a breathtaking psychological thriller.
The most welcome news is the developer’s full-scale ‘fan service’ for domestic users. In response to the enthusiastic support and requests for Korean language support from Korean indie fans, full Korean subtitles and an interface have been added starting with this Steam demo.
With the addition of voice actress Rio Tsuchiya, who shook the fandom with her portrayal of the cynical and charming Madoka Higuchi in ‘The Idol Master Shiny Colors,’ as well as legendary voice actress Mamiko Noto, who proved her unrivaled vocal tone through her role as Sawako Kuronuma in ‘Kimi ni Todoke,’ the game is expected to become a game that perfectly suits the tastes of subculture fans, offering a delightful listening experience.
Armed with an overwhelming volume of over 1,500 illustrations and more than 100 types of mini-games, ‘Rain98’ heralded the birth of a well-made psychological suspense game that goes beyond a simple adventure.
The indie game industry is focusing its attention on the upcoming official release date in 2027 on what kind of shock and emotion this bizarre and cruel romance, set to unfold in Tokyo in 1998 where the sound of rain never stops, will deliver to gamers.
Information regarding ‘Rain98’
| item | detail |
|---|---|
| Development and Publishing | C#4R4CT3R (Japan) |
| Genre | Lo-fi psychological thriller romance adventure |
| platform | PC (Steam) |
| Trial version released | October 17, 2026 (Prologue ~ First half of Chapter 2, approx. 3 hours) |
| Official release | My goal for 2027 |
| price | Unconfirmed |
| Supported languages | Not confirmed other than Korean interface and subtitles (Trial/Full Version) |
| voice actor | Rio Tsuchiya, Mamiko Noto |
| Official version content | Approx. 10 hours for the first playthrough, over 100 types of mini-games |
| Key Experience | Selected as ‘Best of Show’ at PAX East 2026 |
| Steam Page | Shortcut |
