Emotional simulation game “inKONBINI: One Store. Many Stories” to be released in 2026.
“inKONBINI: One Store. Many Stories” is a narrative-driven cozy simulation game set in a small-town Japanese convenience store in the early 1990s. Players assume the role of Makoto Hayakawa, a college student who takes over his aunt’s convenience store during the summer break. She stocks merchandise, mans the cash register, and interacts with regular customers. Rather than focusing on grand events, the game focuses on the small, everyday encounters and emotional threads that unfold.
Choosing Connection Over Competition
The game’s core focus isn’t on scoring points or optimizing profits. It’s about naturally building relationships with the townspeople while performing the daily tasks of stocking the convenience store, taking phone orders, and operating the cash register.
Conversations with guests are structured in a branching system. It’s also noteworthy that character relationships and the flow of the story change depending on the player’s choices. While seemingly brief conversations, over time, the characters’ lives are gradually revealed.
The philosophical background of the work stems from the Japanese concept of “ichigo ichie,” or “one-time encounter.” The game’s core message is to give meaning to each and every encounter that passes by in a convenience store.
A love for 90s Japanese culture
inKONBINI is developed and published by Tokyo-based indie game studio Nagai Industries. The studio’s name itself is intriguing: Nagai Industries is named after the company behind the classic Dreamcast game “Shenmue.” The name itself hints at the studio’s deep affection for 90s Japanese culture.
Dima Shen, who led the development, took a unique approach to perfecting the game’s atmosphere. He hired a Japanese book designer in his 60s, who never used a computer, to design the unique packaging for the game’s 200 or so unique merchandise items. All the designs were hand-drawn and then digitized, resulting in a unique font and packaging.
Speaking about the game’s inspirations, Shen cited Studio Ghibli’s “When Time Goes By,” Netflix’s “Midnight Diner: Tokyo Stories,” and indie games “Coffee Talk” and “Unpacking.” He said, “I wanted to capture the unique atmosphere and warmth of Japanese media within the game.”
A warm, retro-inspired narrative
The game is played from a third-person perspective. Players experience the real-life operations of a convenience store, including stocking merchandise, ordering inventory, and operating the cash register. A branching narrative, where conversation choices with customers impact relationships and the story, adds depth.
Gachapon machines located within the store also offer the small pleasure of collecting various capsule toys. An ASMR soundscape filled with everyday sounds creates a peaceful immersive experience, while warm lighting and meticulously recreated retro visuals reminiscent of 90s Japan complete the overall atmosphere of the game.
One reviewer who experienced the demo at the Tokyo Indie Game Summit 2025 said, “The fine details and precise controls are impressive,” and “Gamers who enjoy slow-paced narrative games will especially enjoy this title.”
Immediately after its release, the song became a global sensation with its “vibe.”
The game’s initial announcement in April 2024 sparked a fervent response. When Dexerto shared a video of the game on X (formerly Twitter), the reaction exploded, with 30,000 wishlist additions in a single day. “It was incredible,” developer Dima Shen said. “That post really helped raise awareness.”
Immediately following its release, the word “vibe” was mentioned repeatedly on social media. Even a short teaser trailer left a lasting impression on gamers worldwide, conveying the game’s cozy, calming, and retro atmosphere.
One reviewer who played the Steam demo said, “It felt like I was actually there, not just playing a game,” and “Even after the short 40-minute experience, I was curious about what happened next with the characters in the game.”
The game has been consistently receiving attention, participating in numerous indie game events such as the 2025 Tokyo Indie Game Summit and LudoNarraCon 2025, and also participated in Indie Fan Fest in February 2026, where a new story trailer was released.
‘inKONBINI: One Store. Many Stories’ is scheduled to be released in April 2026 for PC (Steam), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch. You can currently experience the demo version for free on Steam, and you can also register it on your wishlist.
A small shop, the lingering impressions of countless stories
This work lacks grand battles or dramatic twists. Instead, it captures the emotions and relationships that fleetingly occur in the everyday. For modern people accustomed to the fast pace of life, it promises to be a warm digital space where they can catch their breath.
Steam Store Page:
https://store.steampowered.com/app/3638700/inKONBINI_Prologue_Demo/
Developer’s website:
https://inkonbini.com/
