TARO IS BACK (2026)

Developer: BeforeHomeWorks
Publisher: 株式会社闇, YAMI GAMES
Platforms: Windows
Genres: Adventure, Indie
Rating: 4.1 of 5, 57 player ratings
Typical playtime: about 3.4 hours
Where to get it: Steam

The 3D catalog: game boxes on wooden shelves, with the cat sitting at the counter next to its greeting.

The catalog in 3D

The same catalog has a room you can walk around in. The cat behind the counter is the AI Catbot, and they pick real games from it when you tell them what you feel like playing. Nothing is for sale, here or in there. Go in from here and this game is already out on the counter, with more like it waiting on the shelf next to it.

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How it feels

A lurking dread hangs over every moment, as if the game itself dares you to look away and the screen will punish you for it.

creepyforbiddingmysteriousunsettlingtenseatmosphericcursed

What players say

Players praise the fresh premise of watching a livestream as a viewer, with fourth-wall tricks using the microphone and Windows notifications. Many say the story and atmosphere are strong, though some find the pacing dragging, the text heavy, and the reading experience poor. Players split on the ending, and one reports autosave not working.

Screenshots

More games like this

This page is from Underplayed Gems, a catalog of older and overlooked games. Not quite it? You can browse by platform and genre, or take this one into the 3D catalog and ask the Catbot for something closer.