JAPAN GAMING & ENTERTAINMENT 
The meta-horror game TARO IS BACK, in which players watch a video rumored to be “unwatchable to the end” and pursue the truth behind it, has launched on Steam.
The game is the first title from YAMI GAMES, a horror game label launched in June 2026 by a production company specializing in horror content. It was developed by BeforeHomeWorks, with YAMI GAMES as publisher. The game is a point-and-click-style adventure in which players watch a video and unravel its mystery.
The person in the video is Taro, a small-time streamer who explores ruins. To celebrate surpassing 50 subscribers on his channel, he livestreamed from a remote, abandoned village — and then disappeared. Players interact with the video footage to trace Taro’s exploration, piecing together clues from in-universe online resources — hints left in the comments section, an in-browser search feature, and a ruins explorer’s blog — to get closer to the truth.
The game is available on PC (Windows, 64-bit), and a demo is also available on Steam. The interface and subtitles are available in four languages — Japanese, English, Simplified Chinese, and Traditional Chinese — while full voice acting is available only in Japanese. There are 9 achievements, and the game is single-player only. Because an English interface and subtitles are available, readers in North America, South America, and Europe can purchase and play the game directly on Steam. A launch sale offering 40% off is currently underway.
The label plans to exhibit at TOKYO GAME SHOW 2026 (TGS2026), held at Makuhari Messe from September 17 to 21, 2026, where it will offer hands-on demos of the game and unveil a concept trailer. Hands-on demos of the label’s second title (scheduled for release in 2027, developed by Wizard Tortoise Games LLC) are also planned.
| Platforms | Release date | Demo |
|---|---|---|
| Steam (PC) | August 27, 2026 | Yes |
Language: English
As of August 28, 2026