- Developed by two former Level-5 members, a genre fusion presented with cartoon 3D aesthetics
- Combining the vibes of Pokémon, Slay the Spire, and Isaac… Emphasizing the fun of strategic combinations
Serial Project, a two-person indie studio from Yokohama, Japan, and publisher Kakehashi Games unveiled the first public demo of the roguelike deck-building JRPG ‘Serial World’ at Steam Deckbuilders Fest 2026 on May 4.
First unveiled to the world at the Gamescom Future Games Show in 2025, this title is the debut work of a two-person development studio formed by Level-5 programmer Takashi Maeda and artist Sho Kawasaki. The demo is available for free play on Steam until May 11, and the full PC release is scheduled for sometime in 2026.
The Bricktown Disappearance Case: Lead Miro and Anima to uncover the truth
Serial World is set in a colorful, cartoon-style world reminiscent of classic RPGs, telling the story of a boy named Miro who uncovers the truth behind a series of disappearances in his hometown, Bricktown. Players team up with creatures called ‘Anima’ to challenge dungeons and track down clues to the case.
The game progresses with a structure that alternates between exploring the town and conquering dungeons. Players roam Bricktown, interact with residents, and collect items, then form a party of three selected Anima to enter a dungeon. The dungeon is designed in a roguelike style where the structure changes every time, requiring new strategies with repeated playthroughs.
In particular, the total of 8 types of Anima each possess different abilities and exclusive card decks, allowing for the implementation of various tactics such as attack-oriented, defense-specialized, and status effect utilization depending on the combination.
Pokémon × Slay the Spire × Isaac… A unique combination that transcends genres
Overseas media outlets cite genre fusion as the core appeal of ‘Serial World’. They note that the collection and training of Anima are reminiscent of the Pokémon series, the deck-building structure of Slay the Spire, and the dungeon exploration style of The Binding of Isaac.
In the game, each Anima possesses an independent card pool, offering a wide range of strategic combinations. Consequently, experimenting with new synergies through repeated play is quite enjoyable, and coupled with the high replayability characteristic of roguelikes, it stimulates a desire for continuous challenge.
“Feels like playing an animation”… Warm and colorful 3D visuals
In terms of visuals, the sensibility of the development team from Level-5 is clearly evident. The bright and warm 3D cartoon graphics evoke the feeling of a ‘playable animation,’ creating a familiar atmosphere where even dungeon exploration can be enjoyed without any pressure.
In terms of sound, the charming and energetic music characteristic of Japanese JRPGs naturally supports the flow of combat and exploration. Publisher Kakehashi Games emphasizes through official channels that it is “a work combining deck-building, dungeon crawling, and JRPG sensibilities,” highlighting the balance of these three elements as its core identity.
Gamescom Future Games Show Debut, Attracting Attention from International Media and Fans
Serial Worlds has been attracting attention from various media outlets since its reveal. GamesRadar, Gematsu, and others praised the fact that it is a two-person development team from Level-5 and its unique combination of genres, citing it as a promising new title in the roguelike deck-building genre.
In the Steam community as well, reactions such as “a must-watch title if you like Pokémon and Slay the Spire” are pouring in, raising expectations for its positioning as a JRPG deck builder that appeals to all ages.
Collaboration between a two-person team from Level-5 and Kakehashi
Serial Project is a Japanese indie studio formed in 2023 by former Level-5 duo Takashi Maeda (programmer) and Sho Kawasaki (artist). Based on the creativity and experimental nature characteristic of a small team, they are showcasing works aimed at the global market.
Publisher Kakehashi Games is an indie game publishing team established in Tokyo in 2013 that has introduced numerous global indie hits to Japan, including Hollow Knight, Sea of Stars, Dead Cells, and Eastward. Recently, it has been expanding its reach as a global publisher showcasing Asian indie games to the world.
Through the release of this demo, Serial World has established its presence by proving both its unique genre-bending approach and its mass appeal. This is the result of the synergy created by the experimental planning capabilities of the new developer Serial Project and the solid publishing expertise of Kakehashi Games. In particular, it has been praised for its well-structured composition that organically combines distinct elements such as deck-building, JRPG, and roguelike.
The industry and fans are closely watching to see what level of polish Serial World, which has made a strong impression on gamers with its unique system, will demonstrate in its upcoming official release and how much deeper enjoyment it will offer through content expansion.
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) |
