Serial Project, a two-person indie studio based in Yokohama, has officially released the first public demo for their debut title, Serial World. Developed by former Level-5 programmer Takashi Maeda and artist Sho Kawasaki, the game blends nostalgic JRPG charm with modern roguelite mechanics.
The demo is currently live on Steam as part of the Deckbuilders Fest 2026 until May 11, with a full PC release targeted for later this year.
Investigating the Bricktown Disappearances
The narrative follows a young boy named Miro as he searches for the truth behind a series of mysterious disappearances in his hometown, Bricktown. To solve the mystery, players must venture into ever-changing dungeons alongside creatures known as Anima.
- Village & Dungeon Loop: Players explore Bricktown to interact with residents and collect items before forming a three-creature party to tackle roguelike dungeons.
- Procedural Challenges: Each dungeon is randomly generated, requiring fresh strategic adaptations for every run.
- Team Composition: There are currently 8 types of Anima, each possessing unique abilities and dedicated card decks.
- Tactical Variety: Players can build specialized parties focused on heavy offense, high defense, or status effects depending on their chosen Anima.
A “Best of Both Worlds” Genre Blend
Critics and fans have noted that Serial World draws inspiration from three major industry icons to create its unique identity.
| Feature | Influence |
| Creature Collection | Pokémon (Anima recruitment and training) |
| Combat Mechanics | Slay the Spire (Tactical deckbuilding and card synergy) |
| Dungeon Exploration | The Binding of Isaac (Roguelike structure and exploration) |
The Level-5 Aesthetic: “Playable Animation”
True to the developers’ roots, the game features a warm, colorful 3D cartoon style that has been described as a “playable animation”. The visuals aim to provide a friendly, accessible atmosphere even during challenging dungeon crawls. This is paired with a lively, traditional JRPG-style soundtrack that supports the flow of exploration and combat.
Development Background
- Serial Project: Founded in 2023 by the Maeda-Kawasaki duo to leverage the creative freedom of a small team while targeting a global audience.
- Kakehashi Games: A Tokyo-based specialist publisher known for bringing global indie hits like Hollow Knight, Sea of Stars, and Dead Cells to Japan; they are now expanding into global publishing for Asian indie titles.
Information regarding ‘Serial World’
| item | detail |
|---|---|
| Developer | Serial Project (Takashi Maeda & Sho Kawasaki, duo, Yokohama) |
| Publisher | Kakehashi Games (Tokyo) |
| Genre | Roguelike Deck-Building JRPG / Dungeon Crawler / Creature Collector |
| Release platform | PC (Steam) / Console TBD |
| Scheduled for official release | In 2026 |
| Demo period | May 4–11 (Participating in Steam Deckbuilders Fest) |
| First revealed | Gamescom Future Games Show 2025 |
| Main Content | 8 Types of Anima / Randomly Generated Dungeon / Town Exploration / Deck Building |
| Similar works | Pokémon, Slay the Spire, Isaac’s Bondage |
| Supported languages | 11 languages, including English |
| Main Keywords | JRPG, Deck Builder, Roguelike, Cartoon 3D, Anima, All Ages, Level-5 Aesthetics |
| Steam Page | Shortcut (Demo Play) |
