PAX East Features: ‘Rain98’ and ‘Dreadmoor’

While half the thrill of PAX East is exploring, discovering new things and just checking out the vibrant scene, there are often standout titles to check out on the show floor. All types of gaming experiences are available at the event, from large- and small-scale videogames to tabletop and VR experiences.

This year I was lucky enough to check out two games early in the conference (see my Day 1 wrap-up) that made a big impression on me. Both were darker experiences presented in radically different formats. A moody Japanese world-ending virtual novel experience with a twist and a first-person Lovecraftian nautical experience caught my eye early in my PAX East journey.

Preview: Rain98 – A Melancholic Dive into ’90s Tokyo

From developer C#4R4CT3R, this lo-fi psycho-thriller romance adventure set in ’90s Tokyo caught my attention with its dark, moody vibe and distinctly Japanese aesthetic. I had a chance to play the early part of the game and chat with the developer to get a closer look at the vision behind it.

A “Long Tunnel” of Nostalgic Despair

Set in 1998 Japan, the game starts with the protagonist appearing in the room of Reina, the character the game centers around, as she contemplates suicide. She is startled by your appearance and explains that it is 1998 while you seemingly hail from 30 years in the future. In Reina’s view, the world is a depressed and horrible place.

The developer explained that this “depressed atmosphere” was a intentional choice to mirror the late ’90s. They noted that the turn of the 21st century brought a mix of “hope and also uncertainty,” where “everything is kind of like on the fence.” This creates a feeling the developer described as being in a “long tunnel with no end in sight” – a vibe they feel is strikingly similar to the world in 2025 and 2026.

Immersive Interactions and Darker Motives

From there, the game proper begins, focusing on dialogue, conversation choices, and exploring Reina’s room and Tokyo. The minigames serve as a primary way to interact with Reina and the environment. While they start as a way to “earn the right” to stay with her, a more sinister purpose soon emerges.

The minigames are diverse, ranging from cleaning her room to building Gatcha eggs for her to sell. It is during these tasks that Reina reveals her plan to end the world; helping her fills her “angel passport” with stamps that will eventually trigger the desired end. The developer shared that they are “planning to put more and more of these mini-games” into the experience as the relationship with Reina deepens.

A Connection Across Time

As the story unfolds, the protagonist finds common ground with Reina, noting that in his own timeline, the world is equally bleak. Despite the grim stakes, a spark forms between them, emphasized by a “stocking-based” minigame that leans into the “psycho-romance” themes. The developer’s goal is for the player to feel like they have truly “made a friend” after spending 10 or so hours in Reina’s world.

Stunning Audio and Aesthetic

What I saw impressed me, particularly the aesthetics and audio. The lo-fi delivery is paired with a distinct and impressive art style. The audio is equally stunning, featuring 30 different types of sounds just for the rain alone to ensure a completely immersive environment. As the developer put it, they want the sound to “surround you” so you aren’t just looking at a character, but living within the world.

The Path to Release

While the game is coming out “when it is ready,” the developer is actively expanding the project based on positive player feedback. They have opted not to stick to a “rudimentary timeline” to ensure the full vision is realized, with a potential launch window moving toward 2027.

Crucially, the final game will feature branching paths and different endings depending on how deep your relationship with Reina goes. Rain98 is a promising, high-concept title worth checking out.

Preview: Dreadmoor – Survival in the Sunken Drownlands

This dark and dreary title offered a compelling experience on the show floor. While it initially appears to be a Dredge clone, playing the game at PAX East revealed it to be much more than that. In Dreadmoor, you must catch fish while uncovering the sinister secrets of a flooded, post-cataclysmic world.

A Post-Nuclear Nautical Apocalypse

The game is set in a society where continents have sunk beneath the waves, replaced by scattered islands and the submerged ruins of ancient civilizations. To survive the “Drownlands,” you must navigate a decrepit boat to explore, sell your catch, and fight sea monsters while unraveling the mysteries of a post-nuclear apocalypse.

Starting the adventure, I boarded my vessel and made contact with a mysterious vendor to begin a journey through demon-infested waters. These early moments, involving catching fish and crafting initial upgrades, provided a strong glimpse into the core loop developed by Dream Dock.

Hooks, Harpoons, and Scavenging

While fishing is the central mechanic, your character is also equipped with a grapple used for puzzles or grabbing floating debris. Scavenging is vital to progression:

• Resource Gathering: Finding scrap metal or old blueprints is essential for survival.
• Exploration: You must search abandoned buildings on land and sunken ships at sea to find materials.
• Crafting: Gathered items are used to create valuable bait, medicinal supplies, and harpoons for protection against deep-sea threats.

The developer noted that the final release will feature numerous discoverable items, weapons, and upgrades to help players navigate this treacherous environment.

Horrifically Detailed Presentation

I was fascinated by the game’s presentation, which is gloomy, nightmarish, and immediately eye-catching. The world is filled with creative landscapes and horrific creatures that make exploration feel consistently tense. Although the game is designed to be a tough survival experience, the mystery of what lies around the next corner kept the gameplay engaging.

Release Outlook

Dreadmoor was a standout, if creepy, surprise at this year’s convention. The game is currently slated for release later this year, making it a title to watch for fans of atmospheric survival and tactical exploration.