Rain98 Unveils a Major Update at the Tokyo Game Show 2026

Rain98 is back at the Tokyo Game Show 2026 with a demo that’s quite different from last year’s version. We tried the demo firsthand and noticed major changes to the story, visuals, and explorable areas. We’ve also covered the previous version here.

According to the developer, this demo is a major update—the first playable version to be showcased at the Tokyo Game Show 2026. The developer noted that it includes a new story segment lasting about 70 minutes. The UI, effects, and interactions have also been redesigned.

Rain98 and Reina Amehara

Rain98 is a lo-fi psycho-thriller romance adventure game. The story is set in Tokyo in 1998, when it rained nonstop. C#4R4CT3R is both the developer and publisher of this game.

The player meets Reina Amehara, a girl voiced by Rio Tsuchiya. According to the developers, Reina has a mysterious and somewhat dangerous charm. The two must perform a strange ritual to save the world from destruction.

Players must also keep Reina well-fed and happy with the money she earns. The developers note that upsetting Reina will trigger negative events. In addition to the story, players can enjoy various minigames set in late-1990s Tokyo, accompanied by a lo-fi soundtrack.

The Story Shifts from Mystery to Melancholy

The story in the 2026 demo is different from that of the 2025 demo. In the 2025 demo, the main character appears directly in Reina’s apartment—the same location that appears in the 2026 demo. The initial impression created at that moment was one of mystery.

In the 2026 demo, the story is different. The main character is actually kicked out the first time they appear. After a while, Reina comes back and invites the main character to come with her.

This shift changes the overall tone, from a quiet mystery to a heavier melancholy. The blue and gloomy color palette emphasizes emotional distance and a sense of time passing. The rain-like background music consistently reinforces this atmosphere.

In both the 2025 and 2026 demos, the development team emphasized that the demo versions had been scaled back for the purposes of the exhibition. Therefore, we cannot confirm whether the story elements in the 2026 demo were actually present from the start but not shown last year, or if they were newly added to this version. We’ll only know for sure once the full game is released.

A Choice That Feels Cinematic

We’ve noticed a clear improvement in quality compared to the previous version. The camera angles for the characters are now more creative and cinematic. These angles give the scene a more melancholic feel.

The "Choice" section has also changed. This demo adds effects and flowing text. As a result, we feel as though we’re right in the middle of a cinematic scene.

Visual novels typically present choices sequentially in text boxes. Rain98 does not use that format in this demo. This difference makes the choices feel more integrated into the story.

Exploring the Area Outside the Apartment

Last year's demo only showcased activities inside the Reina apartment. This year's demo opens up the world beyond the apartment.

Players can explore the surrounding areas with Reina—for example, the convenience store, the park, and the laundromat. These changes make the game world feel more expansive than in the previous demo.

You no longer spend all your time in one room. For us, this is the most noticeable change in this year’s demo.

Minigames Now Have Tutorials

The minigame now includes a text-based tutorial. This is different from previous versions, which required players to figure things out on their own.

In our opinion, visual cues are more user-friendly than long blocks of text. In minigames that use pixel art, minimal text makes everything feel simpler.

One example is the scene where Reina asks to have her socks put on. The developers mentioned that the “loose socks” scene has been further refined. In our opinion, the visual cues in this scene would be clearer if a more striking color were used.

Final Impressions After Trying the Demo

Overall, the Rain98 demo at TGS 2026 successfully showcased significant progress. Improvements were evident in the visuals, gameplay, and storytelling, which now feels deeper and more emotional.

We’re pleased with what this demo has to offer. We’re even more curious to see how all these elements will come together in the final version of the game. For those of you who are interested, the Rain98 Steam page is now live and can be added to your wishlist at Rain98 on Steam.

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.