PAX West 2026: NIS America Brought Unique Titles to the Show
Nippon-Icchi Software, or NIS, has been the purveyor of unique Japanese video games for decades now, bringing forth titles such as Crymachina, Ys, The Legend of Heroes, and most famously, the Disgaea series. NIS America, the American branch of NIS, believes in publishing the best Japanese games and bringing them to the world. There's been plenty to like from NIS, from Starbites to Disgaea Mayhem, and the company continues that work.
At PAX West 2026 brought forth a plethora of titles, all unique in their art and gameplay. From a gobbling 2D platformer to a haunted farming sim to a living paperbook, there was an array of unique storytelling on display at the NIS America booth at PAX West. Here is what I played.
The Grimm Reapress and the Drearytale Monster
A spiritual successor to The Liar Princess and The Blind Prince, The Grimm Reapress and The Drearytale Monster is a new 2D story-driven adventure game. In this world, humans have been stricken by a virus called Paper Mortis. This malady turns humans into picture books, and subsequently, turns picture books into monsters. Determined to free her sister from this virus, a young girl, Mono, pairs with a young monster, Mulch, to find her way through the story that her sister has become.
I had a great time playing The Grimm Reapress and The Drearytale Monster at PAX West. The drawn animation and movement were absolutely stellar, and the gameplay was unique in that you are controlling two characters at once. Two unique abilities involved chomping at enemies and pieces of text, and flipping pieces of the page to uncover secrets. My demo had us pursue a wolf in sheep's clothing, biting through illustrated lies to find the way to the truth.
The Grimm Reapress and The Drearytale Monster is shaping up to be a unique adventure, one rich in story and character. There are plenty of opportunities for fables to tell within this world, and what became of those that have turned into books. The Grimm Reapress And The Drearytale Monster has a ways to go in development and is slated for launch in 2027.
Gobble
If you can't beat 'em, eat 'em up. Gobble is a 2D hand-drawn platformer that looks like a comic book come to life. In this cartoonishly charming adventure, Rute is an everyday happy-go-lucky kid living his best life until he finds himself surrounded by monsters. A bird-like monster, Kamael, encourages Rute to take him as a weapon, and he transforms into a scythe for Rute to use. Kamael sees Rute as his personal human servant, and the two embark on an adventure of discovery and friendship.
Gobble is a lot of fun. It's a game all about weirdness and eating enemies, with the game being carried by the humorous interactions between Rute and Kamael. Using Kamael as a scythe is fun, and eating enemies yields special abilities, such as the ability to clear enemies with fire. The action moves fluidly, and the designs are sharp, popping off the screen in their expressions.
Gobble is shaping up to be a wildly entertaining adventure. While my time was short, the game teased gargantuan bosses that look to be a delight to fight. Gobble is set to be a great game for those looking for a more quirky and comedic adventure in these times. Gobble arrives in 2027.
Village in the Shade
Ever wandered a farm at night? It's not the most settling thing to do. You never know what's out there. Village in the Shade is a game where you can be cozy and follow the rules. Enjoy the traditional Japanese festivals and live out a good life in the village, growing crops and building up your living quarters. Alternatively, you can break the rules and experience sheer horror at night.
Village in the Shade features gorgeous animation and visuals. The daytime is nice and vibrant, full of life, but the night sequences I played are full of dread as monsters roam about. However, there is an urge to discover the monsters and their plights through quests and discovery. My time in the game was eerie but surprisingly curious as I sought to discover why monsters were roaming this otherwise tranquil town.
Village in the Shade is great for those who like building farms and discovering monstrous secrets. Its charming visuals and rewarding gameplay unfold a terrifying tale. What will be uncovered is a mystery, but players won't have to wait too long for that mystery to unfold as the game launches very soon on October 27th, 2026, for PC, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and Nintendo Switch 2.
Astonishia Story
Announced at PAX West 2026, Astonishia Story is a classic Korean RPG where a young man fights to save the kingdom and reclaim something most important to him: his honor. The game brings back the 1994 classic RPG with updated graphics, a grid-based battle system, and the ability to recruit from a large roster of mercenaries. Astonishia Story launches February 11th, 2027.
Brigandine Abyss
Launching just a few weeks ago for all platforms, Brigandine Abyss is a deep grand strategy game where how you take over a kingdom is just as important as the battles that are waged. The game features well over a hundred units to organize and launch into battle, and encourages battles against entire armies. This grand strategy game is now available for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Nintendo Switch 2.
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