Have you ever imagined waking up in an apartment that feels familiar, yet completely alien at the same time? This concept is the gateway to the world of Rain98It's a project that caught our attention from the PlayEatSleep team. We had the chance to try it out in person at Tokyo Game Show 2025, and this article summarizes our impressions from the demo. Game It offers an unusual blend of genres, combining the chill vibe of lo-fi music with the suspense of a psycho-thriller story.
Apartment Mysteries in the World of Rain98
In the demo we tried, Rain98's story opens with a premise that immediately provokes curiosity. As the protagonist, you find yourself in an apartment that was supposed to be yours, but was mysteriously thrown into the 90s. There, you're not alone. A mysterious girl named Reina Amehara (voiced by Rio Tsuchiya) has taken up residence there, bringing with her both a charming charm and a faintly dangerous aura.
Together with Reina, you're faced with a surreal task: performing a strange ritual that's said to save the world from destruction. This is where the layers of mystery begin to unfold. You'll be left wondering, were you really thrown back in time? Who is Reina really? The game cleverly plays with perception, making you doubt whether what you see is reality or just an elaborate mind trick. The constant rain in Tokyo seems to wash away the truth, making it even harder to grasp.
Rain98 Gameplay: More than Just a Visual Novel
Based on the demo we played, Rain98's gameplay proved to be more than just a visual novel. Interaction and dialog with Reina are the main pillars, but you're also encouraged to explore every corner of the apartment and interact with the objects around you.
Each object can be a puzzle piece that gives you clues about Reina's world, past, and secrets. This adventure element enriches the narrative and gets you directly involved in the investigation.
One of the unique mechanics introduced is the need to keep Reina happy. You have to use the money you earn to buy her food and keep her in the mood, and if you succeed you'll get a sticker as a reward. The warning in this game is very clear: don't make her angry, or something bad will happen.
This mechanic adds a constant layer of psychological tension. To keep the game from becoming monotonous, a few minigames are thrown in that feel like small puzzles, providing refreshing variety.
Nostalgic Atmosphere and Immersive Lo-fi Music
One of the biggest draws we felt from the Rain98 demo was the atmosphere. It manages to capture the essence of the 90s, even just from within a room. The presence of details like the CRT TV in the corner of the room is enough to build a thick nostalgic feel and instantly transport you back to that time.
This atmosphere is enhanced by the relaxing lo-fi background music. The relaxing music, combined with environmental sound effects, will instantly transport you into the atmosphere of a 90s apartment room.
This audio choice is very clever, as it creates a sharp contrast with the dark and tense theme of the story. You're made to feel comfortable and relaxed, before the game slowly builds back up the sense of dread and uncertainty.
Curious First Impressions
Although the playable demo at TGS 2025 was relatively short, Rain98 managed to leave a strong impression and left us very curious. The hands-on experience confirmed that the unique concept was well executed. The mysterious storyline, promising gameplay, and immersive atmosphere are the three main strengths.
Rain98 is an ambitious project to look forward to, especially if you're a fan of visual novels with a touch of mystery and psychological horror. For those of you who are interested in this unique concept, the Steam page for Rain98 is already active. You can add it to your wishlist to be notified when the game is released.
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