tinyBuild will publish Road to Jukai, the first-person psychological horror game from Spanish studio Endflame, when it arrives on PC via Steam in 2027. Previously known as Silent Road, the title has been renamed. A new publisher trailer accompanies the announcement.
Developed by the Barcelona-based duo of Guillem Travila Cuadrado and Laura Ripoll Galan, Road to Jukai has players experiencing life as night-shift taxi driver ferrying passengers between small Japanese towns surrounded by vast, haunted forest. The non-linear story spans six nights in a remote region marked by tragedy and mystery, drawing clear inspiration from the real-world legends of Aokigahara, often called Japan’s “suicide forest” or “sea of trees.”
Gameplay revolves around driving. Players navigate foggy mountain passes and quiet village streets while odd passengers share increasingly unsettling stories and requests. Some fares require stepping out of the taxi to help with tasks that feel dangerous. Tension builds through conversation and the sense that the dead have not left the forest. Video features highlight a disturbing narrative and careful pacing. The mature content warning notes depictions of suicide, reflecting the heavy themes the developers have said they wanted to handle with emotional depth.
Endflame first gained notice with Ikai in 2022, feudal Japan yokai-focused psychological horror that earned the small team recognition. In earlier interviews after releasing Insants, the pair described deliberate shift back to the atmosphere and emotional weight that defined their debut, this time in a modern setting where ancient forest legends persist.
With tinyBuild on board and a playtest open, Road to Jukai positions itself as a slow-burn Japanese-inspired horror experience that prioritizes atmosphere and character over constant jump scares. Wishlist it on Steam and request playtest access to get a first look at the night shift.