The village of Kagatsu is the perfect oasis: a quiet countryside where traditions are upheld and the work is endless. Fellow villagers are around every corner and looking for help on their land, the reward for this being the satisfaction of lending a helping hand and strengthening the bond amongst the community. The peaceful stillness allows everyone to focus on their farming and livestock, if not fishing and hunting. Life here in this mountain village is simple and and feels like home even to a newcomer.

However, there is a learning curve when it comes to settling down here. A specific code that has been in place for generations is second nature to the villagers who spent their lives here, but not to someone like you. There are three simple rules to obey: “don’t talk to strangers, don’t leave the village, and, whatever you do, don’t go out at night.” Breaking these rules can reveal a terrifying secret hidden within this scenic village, one that everyone else is more than happy to be blissfully ignorant towards.

Whether you prefer to be like the locals and have Kagatsu remain a pure and perfect place, or let curiosity get the best of you is completely your choice. Choose wisely, you can never undo what you come across if you disobey.

Developers of Village in the Shade, Nippon Ichi Software, Inc., respect the traditional cozy game ideals and have two modes to choose from: standard and Sunshine. While in standard, you are open to all the secret Kagatsu has to offer, you are given the liberty to go against the rules and discover what is hiding under everyones noses. In Sunshine mode, the scary elements are taken away, and this cozy horror turns into a cozy game; you live as the other residents and follow the rules.

Village in the Shade is available on Steam, and is coming to the PlayStation Store and the Nintendo Store October 27, 2026.