Nippon Ichi Software America (NIS America) has confirmed that spooky farming simulator Village in the Shade will launch for Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5 and PC on 27 October 2026 just in time for the spooky season.
Set in the Japanese mountain village of Kagatsu, Village in the Shade combines farming and countryside life with a darker mystery surrounding its seemingly peaceful community. Players can grow crops, customise their homestead and build relationships with the village’s residents while exploring the hand-painted setting. Day-to-day activities include fishing, hunting and gathering resources, along with quieter moments such as relaxing beside the brook or viewing cherry blossoms with neighbours. Traditional Japanese activities and celebrations also feature, including a summer festival and cherry-blossom viewing. Life in Kagatsu comes with several rules, however. Players are warned not to speak with strangers, leave the village or venture outside at night. Breaking those rules can expose the secrets hidden beneath the village’s otherwise relaxed atmosphere.
For players who would prefer to focus entirely on the farming and life simulation elements, the game will also include a “Village in the Sunshine” mode. In this version, players are unable to break the village’s rules, removing the possibility of encountering its horror elements while allowing them to farm, hunt, fish and explore at their own pace.
Players will also be able to decorate their homes with furniture purchased in town and craft fences and other items using resources gathered around their farms. Those willing to investigate Kagatsu further can attempt to uncover the truth behind the village, while others can simply follow its rules and avoid what is hidden there.
