Resident Evil Isn’t the Only Big Japanese Horror Series Returning in 2026

Get ready for a return to classic horror! In 2026, the world of Resident Evil will expand with Resident Evil Requiem, taking players back to Raccoon City after a long wait. This new installment also marks a shift away from the recent storyline, potentially bringing back beloved characters like Leon Kennedy and focusing on the series’ original style – which fans are thrilled about. And it’s not just Resident Evil revisiting its past; the creator of Corpse Party is returning for Corpse Party II: Darkness Distortion next year, promising a return to the series’ roots as well.

What is Corpse Party?

The story of Corpse Party began in 1996 as a game created with RPG Maker on the PC-9801, a popular Japanese home computer. It was later updated for mobile phones, and eventually released on PC. Since then, the series has expanded with new games and remakes for fans to enjoy.

The Corpse Party series usually features high school students caught in terrifying, supernatural situations where they have to fight to survive. With many remakes and spin-offs, the story can be a bit confusing, but most fans enjoy the games.

So, over time, Corpse Party has really become a favorite among horror fans – it’s a bit of a cult classic, honestly. The art isn’t going to appeal to everyone, but if you dig it, you’re in for a seriously creepy and gripping story. It’s gotten so popular that they’ve made four different manga series based on it, and even a few movies! There were two live-action films that came out in 2015 and 2016, if you’re into that kind of thing.

We’re thrilled to have Kedouin back as the scenario designer. He’s the original creator and has worked on many Corpse Party games, and he seems especially dedicated to this new project with producer Yasuhiko Nomura. Corpse Party II: Darkness Distortion looks like a direct continuation of the story from Corpse Party: Blood Drive.

Corpse Party II: Darkness Distortion‘s Long Road to Release

The development of Corpse Party II: Darkness Distortion was first suggested in 2020. Mages, the game’s developer, included a hint in a YouTube video celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Corpse Party series. The video featured a timeline of the series, ending with the year “202X” and the title “Darkness Distortion.”

The game was officially announced in 2023, and Xseed Games, the North American publisher, released its first trailer in 2024. The trailer stated that Corpse Party II: Darkness Distortion would be released that year, and preorders were immediately made available. However, the game ultimately didn’t launch on the initially promised date.

Originally planned to release in 2024 for PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and PC, the game Darkness Distortion has been delayed. However, Xseed Games also announced it will now be available on PlayStation 5. While there’s no official word yet about a version for the next Nintendo Switch, a release for that platform seems probable due to the delay.

With the release of Darkness Distortion, players will get a completely new world to explore. Corpse Party II follows three high school students investigating a spooky hospital. Like other Corpse Party games, they begin by investigating local urban legends—and find out those legends are actually real. Players will have to cooperate to escape a vengeful ghost and reveal the hidden truths of Amare Est Vivere Hospital.

Darkness Distortion, similar to other games in the Corpse Party series, is a visual novel. However, the creators are hinting at more interactive elements. While they haven’t revealed specifics, it seems players will have more to do than just read. A key feature will be the ability to explore environments from both first- and third-person perspectives, suggesting that exploration will be a major part of the experience, alongside the game’s frightening story.

Xseed says the game will have six main chapters, plus eight extra scenarios and multiple bad endings. These bad endings are intentionally disturbing and will send you back to your last save point, but they’re designed to be a fun and frightening addition to the game.

I’m really excited for Corpse Party II: Darkness Distortion! They’re currently aiming for a 2026 release, which is great news. It’s been delayed a couple of times already, so I’m cautiously optimistic that they’ll actually make this new date. Fingers crossed!

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2025-11-14 02:40