HEXADRIVE announces Japanese-themed horror game Niraya of ■■

HEXADRIVE has announced Niraya of ■■, a mysterious new Japanese-themed horror adventure game they now have in development.

Niraya of ■■ is in development for Windows PC (via Steam and the Epic Games Store) and will launch sometime later in 2025.

Gamers attending this year’s BitSummit in Kyoto from July 19th through the 21st will be able to play the game for the first time, as well as chat with its development team.

Here’s a rundown on the game, plus its first teaser trailer:

Niraya of ■■

“Niraya of ■■” is a Japanese horror game inspired by the Buddhist beliefs of the Kamakura period. The game focuses on a unique system where players “avoid” the attacks of various monsters, rather than defeating or hiding from them. This, combined with the fear of exploring eerie environments and solving puzzles, is a major draw of the game.

A Unique Gameplay Experience of Dodging

“Niraya of ■■” emphasizes “dodging” instead of the typical actions of “repelling,” “hiding,” or “fighting” found in major horror games. Players control a young child, managing limited stamina and using their surroundings to evade monster attacks. While being pursued by supernatural creatures, players will experience the thrill of finding ways to survive through trial and error.

The Fear of Exploring an Unknown World

In this game, the protagonist is cast into a mysterious realm unknown to the modern world and must attempt to escape. Players will guide the protagonist through unknown areas, solving hidden puzzles to progress. However, as mentioned, the exploration is filled with terrifying experiences, including strange phenomena and sudden monster attacks.