Japanese independent developer TamagawaSoft has announced that its anime-inspired 2D action platformer, isekizima: Ruins and Tails Journey, will launch on Steam for Windows PC on January 19, 2027. Developed over eight years by solo creator Tamagawa, the game combines Japanese folklore, exploration, fast-paced combat, and handcrafted environments across more than 30 stages.
The game will launch at a planned price of $17.99 in the United States, with a free demo already available on Steam. A Nintendo Switch version is also planned, although its release date has not been announced.
Anime-Style Platformer Brings Japanese Folklore to Life
isekizima: Ruins and Tails Journey follows Kijino, a nekomata, a supernatural two-tailed cat spirit from Japanese folklore, as the character explores an island filled with ancient ruins, forests, underground caves, and mysterious creatures.
The adventure features hand-drawn visuals and environments designed to encourage exploration while maintaining the accessibility of traditional side-scrolling platformers.
Players travel through more than 30 stages, encountering woodland paths, abandoned structures, and underground passages. The experience is accompanied by more than 40 folk-inspired musical compositions created to complement the atmosphere of each location.
Combat Features Combos and Special Tail Attacks
Combat combines punches, kicks, and chained attacks against enemies including skeleton pirates, ghosts, and slime-like monsters.
Successful attacks build energy in Kijino’s two tails, strengthening a special ability capable of damaging multiple enemies simultaneously.
Beyond combat, players can run, jump, dash, and use a grappling wire to cross obstacles. Additional gameplay mechanics include riding minecarts through underground passages and controlling a golem.
The game also features checkpoints that allow players to restart immediately after mistakes, reducing interruptions during challenging platforming sections.
More Than 30 Stages, Hidden Treasures, and Customization
Exploration plays a central role in isekizima, with hidden collectibles, unlockable outfits, and character interactions scattered throughout the adventure.
Players will encounter supporting characters whose personalities and stories are presented through expressive animations and illustrated sequences.
Collectible outfits allow players to customize Kijino’s appearance, while hidden treasures provide additional incentives to revisit stages.
Optional Challenges and 47 Steam Achievements
Although the game is designed to accommodate newcomers, experienced players can activate three optional challenge settings.
These include increasing enemy attack difficulty and restricting maximum health to its starting value.
The game also features 47 Steam achievements, encouraging alternative playstyles and additional exploration. Some achievements reward unusual challenges, such as completing a stage without defeating enemies.
According to TamagawaSoft, the main storyline takes approximately 10 hours to complete. Players pursuing collectibles and achievements can expect more than 20 hours of gameplay.
Free Steam Demo Available Ahead of January Release
Players interested in trying isekizima: Ruins and Tails Journey can access a free Steam demo featuring approximately one to two hours of gameplay.
The demo provides an introduction to the game’s platforming mechanics, combat system, and exploration-focused environments.
The full game will support Japanese, English, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Brazilian Portuguese, and Russian.
Steam Store: isekizima: Ruins and Tails Journey
Free Demo: Play the Steam Demo
Official Trailer: Watch on YouTube
Supporter Pack Includes Soundtrack, Digital Artbook, and Bonus Outfit
TamagawaSoft will also release an optional Supporter Pack alongside the base game on January 19, 2027.
The additional content includes:
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Original soundtrack: 43 tracks in MP3 format.
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Digital artbook: 184 images featuring concept art, character designs, sketches, guest illustrations, and story artwork.
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Bonus outfit: An additional costume for Kijino.
The digital artbook offers a closer look at the game’s visual development and creative process.
Solo Developer Spent Eight Years Creating isekizima
TamagawaSoft is operated by Tamagawa, a Japan-based independent developer with nearly 20 years of experience in game development.
The creator spent eight years developing isekizima: Ruins and Tails Journey, focusing on maintaining a consistent sense of discovery throughout the experience.
Explaining the creative vision behind the project, Tamagawa said:
“I want to create a world where the sense of adventure you feel in a game’s very first level stays with you all the way to the end.”
The game is being developed and self-published by TamagawaSoft.
isekizima Prepares for January 2027 PC Release
With its combination of Japanese folklore, handcrafted environments, accessible platforming, and optional challenges, isekizima: Ruins and Tails Journey aims to appeal to both casual players and experienced action-platformer fans.
The game launches on Steam for Windows PC on January 19, 2027, while a Nintendo Switch release remains in development. Players can explore the free demo ahead of launch.
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