- Become a Kunoichi and challenge the ‘Infinite Castle’… Simultaneous release on Steam, iOS, and Android
- An 8×8 tactical puzzle where the enemy moves with every move… Experience floors 1–10 and the first boss battle
A free trial version of the turn-based puzzle roguelike ‘KAREI – ENDLESS DEATH MATCH’ (Japanese title: 華麗 無限城の死闘, hereinafter ‘KAREI’), developed and distributed by the Tokyo-based game developer Phase Co., Ltd., will be released simultaneously on Steam, iOS, and Android on October 10.
‘KAREI’ is a turn-based tactical game featuring dark 2D graphics and an 8×8 board. As the enemy moves with every move the player makes, players must read the enemy’s next move and respond at every moment.
The game is also scheduled to participate in Steam Next Fest, which will be held from October 20 to 27 (KST).
A kunoichi climbing the ‘Infinity Castle’ from which no one has returned
The setting of the game is ‘Infinite Castle,’ a castle said to have been there since some time ago. Countless strong contenders have challenged the castle, but none have ever returned. Players take on the role of a kunoichi equipped with scrolls, shurikens, and stealth skills to climb the castle. The developers introduced the game’s tension with the phrase, “There is no turning back, only the next move remains.”
Every turn is a puzzle; read the enemy’s next move.
The game takes place on an 8×8 grid board. Since enemies move along with the player, a single careless move can lead to the end of the challenge. Players must decide each turn whether to attack, evade, or set traps. The developers explained that each floor was designed as an independent tactical puzzle.
Players use three types of ninja tools. Scrolls can be used to set traps and disrupt enemy formations, shurikens to control the distance, and stealth can be used to erase one’s presence. Additionally, ‘secret tools’ obtained during gameplay act as variables that can change the tide of battle. The developers explain that what you pick up and when you use it determines your survival.
According to the Steam page, items are hidden in dimly glowing walls, while weapons and cursed talismans are hidden in walls with an ominous aura. The Oni-shaped enemies guarding the paths must be dealt with using different movement paths and different weapons.
In addition to regular floors, ‘Karakuri’ (device) floors appear where even the floor turns into an enemy. Floors are generated anew each time, and progress does not carry over.
Dark and atmospheric 2D graphics catch the eye
The Steam page tagged the game as 2D, Dark, and Atmospheric. It incorporates a world based on traditional Japanese castles, ninjas, and Oni into a grid-based tactical puzzle. Specific information regarding the sound and music has not yet been released.
Meanwhile, according to the AI usage disclosure on the Steam page, generative AI tools were used to create some 2D art assets. The developers reviewed and edited the results before incorporating them into the game. They also stated that AI translation tools were utilized for some of the in-game text localization, and that the developers reviewed the translations.
The trial version goes up to floor 10… Delivery methods vary by platform
In the demo version, you can play from floor 1 to floor 10, and it includes the battle with the first boss, ‘Gashadokuro’.
A free trial version is available on Steam (Windows) and Android through their respective stores. The iOS version will be released on the App Store under the name ‘KAREI Prologue’ and is currently accepting pre-orders. Along with this, an online ranking season exclusive to the trial version, ‘Dawn Echoes’, will also be launched.
Supported languages are Japanese and English, and Korean is not supported. ‘KAREI’ showcased a demo version at Tokyo Game Show 2026, held at Makuhari Messe from September 17 to 21. The full version is aiming for a Steam release in the fourth quarter of 2026.
Information regarding ‘KAREI – ENDLESS DEATH MATCH’
| item | detail |
|---|---|
| Game name | KAREI – ENDLESS DEATH MATCH (華麗 無限城の死闘) |
| Development and distribution | Phase Co., Ltd. (Tokyo, Japan) |
| Genre | Turn-based puzzle roguelike |
| platform | Steam (Windows) / iOS / Android |
| Player count | 1 person |
| Trial version release date | October 10, 2026 (Simultaneous on 3 platforms, Free) |
| Trial version range | Floors 1 through 10, up to the first boss, ‘Gashadokuro’. |
| Official release | Scheduled for Q4 2026 (Steam) |
| Supported languages | Japanese, English (Korean not supported) |
| Reactions/Evaluations | No Steam user reviews (as of October 6, 2026) |
| Steam Page | Shortcut |
