This isn’t your usual soulslike nor a PvP bloodbath. Kaidan brings samurai, yokai, and dark Japanese mythology together in a haunting “extraction-lite” adventure built on cooperation, survival, and psychological horror.

Cosmic horror and Japanese dark fantasy rarely collide outside of FromSoftware’s domain, but the independent 5th Column Studio aims to merge both worlds in its debut title, Kaidan. Described as an “extraction-lite” experience, the game delivers a brutal, tension-filled descent into fear, forcing players to confront both their own limits and the horrors lurking in every shadow.

Set in the cursed land of Ikaiguchi, Kaidan blends folklore and cosmic dread to create an atmosphere of suffocating unease. Players assume the role of a Seeker, who forges a pact with The Envoy for a second chance to return home. Their cryptic mission—“to tear out the voices of the Chordbearers”—leads them through blasphemous temples and haunted villages where the line between reality and hell is dangerously thin.

Unlike many modern games, Kaidan is strictly cooperative, with no competitive PvP elements. The developers want players to face its challenges solo or alongside others, always against ruthless AI enemies. Strategy is key: balancing limited tools and resources with the priceless relics that must be recovered. Every encounter is designed to be merciless and demanding, filled with terrifying yokai and nightmarish bosses that test both skill and nerve.

The game also features a deep character management system, where each team member has distinct strengths and weaknesses. Weapons and abilities can be customized and upgraded to adapt to the horrors of each expedition. Although there’s no confirmed release date yet, Kaidan is shaping up to be a standout experience for fans of cosmic horror and dark Japanese fantasy. Its mix of exploration, brutal close combat, and suffocating atmosphere makes it one of the most anticipated PC releases in development.

Source: 3djuegos