NIS America has unveiled a haunting yet peaceful trailer for Village in the Shade, the upcoming horror adventure from Nippon Ichi Software. The trailer presents itself as an adorable farming simulator but quickly hints at a darker, more sinister side. The game has already launched in Japan and is set to arrive in the United States soon, as shown in the new footage.
According to an update from Nippon Ichi staff, the game has sold over 150,000 copies in Japan. In Village in the Shade, players can enjoy beautiful scenery and build relationships with the residents of Kagatsu, a mountain village in Japan. Yet, beneath this charming setting lies a dark secret. Many of the game’s visuals were crafted by hand-painted assets created by the developers.
Check out the Village in the Shade trailer below:
What to Expect from Village in the Shade’s Mysterious Mountain Village
The gameplay is straightforward: players can plant crops, manage their farm, and interact with friendly villagers. However, venturing out at night or leaving the village is off-limits. The trailer showcases the eerie atmosphere after dark, where players might encounter a fox. Several characters seem to be hiding secrets, and it’s up to the player to uncover them.
At nighttime, players will need to evade wandering spirits that haunt the village. For those who prefer to avoid the scary parts, there’s an option to activate “Village in the Sunshine” mode, keeping the experience brighter and less frightening.
Currently, the game holds a “Very Positive” rating on Steam based on 258 reviews. A limited edition is available for pre-order at $89.99 from the NIS Online Store. The collector’s edition includes a copy of the game, an art book, collector’s box, original soundtrack, acrylic block, and a set of metal pins.
Village in the Shade is scheduled for release on PS5, PC, Nintendo Switch, and Nintendo Switch 2 on October 27, 2026.