C#4R4CT3R has released a demo for Tokyo 1998-set lo-fi psychological suspense adventure Rain98 for PC via Steam, the developer announced.
The demo offers approximately three hours of gameplay, covering the beginning of the story through the first half of Chapter 2. The full game is expected to be roughly 10 to 15 hours long. It supports nine languages. Alongside visual novel sequences and dialogue choices, adventure sections let players interact with heroine Reina Amehara and explore the streets of Tokyo in 1998.
Mamiko Noto has also been announced as the voice of Kyoko Yose.
Here are the latest details:
■ Tokyo, 1998. A rain that never ends and a girl who wants everything to end.
Rain98 is a lo-fi psychological suspense adventure set in Tokyo in 1998, following your days with heroine Reina Amehara, voiced by Rio Tsuchiya. After finding yourself mysteriously transported back in time, you’re met with a woman who isn’t too impressed by what your future has to offer and claims to have the power to end the world.The game combines visual novel storytelling with mini-games, collectibles, and adventure sections where you can interact with Reina and explore the city. With an intent to reflect emotion in every scene, an emphasis on visual design, animation, immersive audio, and a lo-fi soundtrack draw you into a world steeped in a lingering sense of unease.
■ A Free Demo That Begins at the Start of the Story
Since its announcement in April 2025, Rain98 has been playable at game events across the world. Now, with a free Steam demo available in multiple languages, including Japanese and English, anyone can get to know Reina and soak in the atmosphere on their own PC at home.While previous demos began partway through the story, this demo covers the opening through the first half of Chapter 2. Players can take their time to experience conversations and interactions with Reina, explore the city, play several mini-games, and more.
A future demo update will add the second half of Chapter 2. Please keep an eye on the Steam page and our official social channels for further updates, and join our Discord to share impressions and theories about the story.
Demo Highlights
Sharing an Apartment with Reina: Spend time together in a nostalgic 1998 Tokyo apartment and draw closer to the secrets she’s hiding.
Ending the World is a Costly Affair: Earn money doing odd jobs at home to support your living expenses—and if you earn enough, your days with Reina might get even more fun!
Walking Through 1998 Shibuya: Head out into the rainy metropolis with Reina. Explore the Shibuya of the past, steeped in the unique retro atmosphere of the turn of the millennium.
Shadows Creeping over Beautiful Days: Blurry blue lights and lo-fi music layered over the sound of rain offer a special kind of comfort, but Reina’s secrets quietly cast a shadow over that simple, cozy life.
■ Mamiko Noto Joins the Cast as Kyoko Yose
Mamiko Noto will voice a mysterious woman in Rain98. Hear a preview of her performance in the new trailer and demo, and stay tuned to discover how her character becomes involved in the story.
Born in Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan, Mamiko Noto is an actress, narrator, and singer who works across anime and games.
Her notable roles include Sawako Kuronuma in Kimi ni Todoke: From Me to You, Ai Enma in Hell Girl, and Prospera Mercury in Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury.
■ From Rain98 Director Shoon T
Finally, the day has come when you can all play Rain98. We did it!
Everyone on the team is both nervous and incredibly excited to see so many of you getting to experience the game.
In rainy Tokyo, 1998, you’ll share all kinds of meals with Reina, walk through the city together, and get roped into her strange little games.
As you get swept along by Reina, we hope you’ll enjoy these unforgettable days that belong only to you and Reina—days that are a little unsettling, yet somehow funny in their own peculiar way.
In the full game, which consists of seven chapters, we intend to take you somewhere you could never have imagined.
What will you encounter beyond that point? We hope you’ll look forward to finding out!
Rain98 is due out for unspecified consoles and PC via Steam in 2026.
Watch a new set of trailers below. View a new set of screenshots at the gallery.