Imagine a small, peaceful vegetable shop that’s suddenly overrun by a mob of troublemakers. The shelves are empty, customers are running away in fear, and the elderly shop owner is overwhelmed trying to clean everything up on his own.
This is the premise behind YAOYA THE GAME, a title developed by YAO!GAMES and published by YAOYA. Our team had the opportunity to try out the demo firsthand at the Tokyo Game Show 2026, and here are our impressions after playing it.
The Story Behind Jii & Baa’s Vegetable Store
YAOYA THE GAME tells the story of Jii and Baa, an elderly couple who have spent their lives building the best produce stand in their neighborhood. Everything changed when a group of troublemakers known as the “Detractors” started causing trouble.
They knocked over merchandise, messed up the display cases, and sent customers running before Jii and Baa could clean it all up.
This is where the player steps in as the new helper who comes to save the store. At first, Jii and Baa weren’t quite sure about the player’s abilities, but they had no other choice.
The players' task is to prove that they are trustworthy, one chaotic day at a time.
Gameplay: Chaos That Brings to Mind *Overcooked*
In terms of gameplay, YAOYA THE GAME strongly reminds us of Overcooked, thanks to the chaotic and frantic elements at the heart of the game. Players must manage inventory, serve customers, and fend off the Detractors who are constantly causing trouble around the store.
In terms of design, this game isn’t actually that complicated. However, there is a slight learning curve to get through—for example, figuring out which buttons to use to pick up items, throw things, or fight the Detractors.
If players haven’t yet mastered the basic controls and are immediately thrown into the hustle and bustle of a busy store, it’s quite natural to feel a bit panicked at the start of the game. Some players might find this adds to the excitement, but others might feel a little frustrated on their first try.
In our own experience, the early stages can indeed feel confusing because you have to divide your attention among so many things at once. However, the longer you play, the more you get into the rhythm of the game, and the excitement really starts to build.
The demo available at TGS 2026 features a co-op mode, although the game can essentially be played either alone or with friends.
Minimalist Design with Bold Colors
One of the first things that caught our attention was its visual style. YAOYA THE GAME features a minimalist design but uses a striking color palette, creating an intriguing contrast between the simplicity of the shapes and the vibrant colors on the screen.
This style fits well with the game’s chaotic theme, as it ensures that every action on the screen remains easy to follow even when the action is intense.
Key Features of YAOYA THE GAME
- The fast-paced world of a produce store—restocking, serving customers, and navigating the crowds
- Outwitting the Detractors — troublemakers who come to wreak havoc in the store
- Earning Jii and Baa’s trust—based on the store’s profits, reputation, and appeal
- Supports 1 to 4 players—can be played alone or with friends
- Controlled chaos — a colorful store that gets messier as time goes on
Final Thoughts
From the brief demo we played at the Tokyo Game Show 2026, YAOYA THE GAME successfully presented a fresh concept by combining the theme of a vegetable shop with the chaotic gameplay typical of co-op party games.
Although there were some minor challenges with the controls at first, the game really starts to feel fun once you get the hang of the rhythm.
For those of you who enjoy chaotic yet entertaining co-op games, YAOYA THE GAME is definitely worth adding to your watchlist. Its Steam page is already live, and you can visit it at Steam to add it to your wish list.
Don't miss our exclusive report on TGS 2026
TOKYO GAME SHOW is one of the world's largest game shows organized by the Computer Entertainment Supplier's Association (CESA) and co-organizers Nikkei Business Publications, Inc. and DENTSU INC. TGS has become the premier platform for game industry players to showcase their latest innovations and technologies.
Asia’s largest gaming festival is about to celebrate its 30th anniversary and promises an exhibition on a scale unlike any in previous years. With the theme “The Longest Five Days of Nonstop Play,” this year’s event will make history. For the first time, the exhibition will run for a full five days.
The offline exhibition will be held at Makuhari Messe, Chiba, from September 17 to September 21, 2026. The format of the event remains a hybrid system, combining on-site exhibitions with online initiatives to reach a global audience.
Stay tuned for the latest and exclusive coverage of TGS 2026, only at PlayEatSleep.Fun.
