Village in the Shade: Hand-Painted Farming Sim with a Dark Secret

8/21/2026, 3:49:13 AM

Release date: 7/29/2026

Tags: #adventure #simulation #farming-sim #horror #exploration #2d #cute #anime

User Reviews

Score: 91%Very Positive
Review Count: 496 reviews
Fetched At: 8/21/2026, 3:49:13 AM

Reference prices

Japan

¥ 9,020 (JPY)

Steam JP

$49.99 (USD)

Steam Global

Live Store Snapshot

Body text may reflect the state at publication time. For the latest sale, price, and review changes, prioritize the live price panel, review panel, and the Steam store listing.

Japan Price: ¥ 9,020
Global Price: $49.99
Price in Your Region: ¥ 9,020Prices as Steam lists them per country. What you are actually charged depends on your Steam account settings.Regional prices checked: 30 Aug 2026
Sale Status: Regular pricing
Price Checked At: 8/25/2026, 6:35:14 AM

The price snapshot and review snapshot differ by about 99 hours. Because they are not always refreshed at the same time, confirm the latest Steam listing before making a purchase decision.

Key highlight

Experience a hand-painted farming sim where a peaceful Japanese village hides dark secrets. Follow strict rules to survive, customize your home, and uncover the truth behind Kagatsu.

Who this is for

For those seeking a unique blend of cozy farming simulation and unsettling mystery, *Village in the Shade* offers a beautifully hand-painted world with a narrative that keeps you on edge. Discover the secrets of Kagatsu at your own risk.

🖥️ Hardware Guide for Comfortable Play

Based on the game's recommended specs, showing a comfortable performance target and example parts (PassMark reference)

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CPU

Game's recommended spec

Intel Core i5-12500

Comfortable play target

27,351 pts(~130% above spec of 21,039 pts)

Parts near this range

ARM Neoverse-N1 48 Core 0 MHz27,266 pts Intel Core i5-12600K27,508 pts Intel Core i5-12600KF27,509 pts

🎴

GPU

Game's recommended spec

GeForce GTX 1650

Comfortable play target

10,227 pts(~130% above spec of 7,867 pts)

Parts near this range

GeForce GTX 1650 SUPER10,195 pts GeForce GTX 106010,025 pts GeForce GTX 1060 3GB9,850 pts

* Scores are reference values. Actual performance varies by in-game settings, resolution, and system environment.

Build a PC to match this performance → BTO Guide

Details

Overview

Welcome to Kagatsu, a seemingly idyllic Japanese mountain village brought to life with a charming hand-painted art style. Developed by Nippon Ichi Software, Inc. and published by NIS America, Inc., Village in the Shade invites players into a world where the simple life of farming and community interaction takes a decidedly unsettling turn. While the surface offers a peaceful escape with crop planting, homestead customization, and building relationships with quirky characters, a closer look reveals a darker undercurrent. Players are encouraged to relax by the brook, admire cherry blossoms, and stroll through town, but a few crucial rules must be followed: avoid talking to strangers, never leave the village, and absolutely do not venture out after dark. This blend of cozy simulation and underlying horror themes creates a unique and intriguing experience.

Highlights

Charming Hand-Painted Aesthetics: Immerse yourself in a beautifully rendered 2D world with a distinctive hand-painted art style that brings the village of Kagatsu to life.
Farming and Customization: Engage in classic farming simulation activities, from planting crops to gathering resources, and personalize your homestead with furniture and crafted items.
Intriguing Narrative with a Twist: Experience a seemingly peaceful village life that gradually reveals sinister secrets and unsettling rules, blending relaxation with horror elements.

Who It's For

Village in the Shade is perfect for players who enjoy farming and life simulation games but are looking for something with a bit more depth and mystery. Fans of games that combine cozy aesthetics with psychological or light horror elements will find themselves drawn into Kagatsu's secrets. Those who appreciate unique art styles and narrative-driven experiences will also find a lot to love here.

Game Info

Developer: Nippon Ichi Software, Inc.
Publisher: NIS America, Inc.
Genre: Adventure, Simulation
Release Date: July 29, 2026
Features: Single-player, Steam Achievements, Full controller support, Custom Volume Controls
Content: Cartoon Blood and Violence, Horror Themes, Themes of Suicide
Languages: Japanese, Korean, Traditional Chinese