The immersive art adventure game themed around traveling through the worlds of famous paintings, "Catharsis ~The Last Atelier~," is scheduled for official release on December 1, 2026 (Tuesday).
This is a walking simulator game. Players embark on a journey through 10 worlds themed around masterpieces by renowned artists such as Van Gogh, Monet, Delacroix, Millais, and Goya. In these painting worlds reinterpreted through the creator's perspective, players collect "memories" residing within them. This highly immersive art appreciation experience, possible only in games, offers players new insights into the art of painting.
In response to feedback from demo players such as "I want to freely choose camera angles to capture beautiful scenes" and "I want to take photos with the same composition as famous paintings," a "Photo Mode" has been confirmed for addition to this title.
*Photo Mode is scheduled to be implemented in the full release.
■ Photo Mode Confirmed for Full Release! Record Your Own Famous Painting Experience.
Right: Hiding the character reveals meticulously crafted details within the stages
In this game's stunning artistic world, players will encounter countless beautiful scenes and moments they'll want to treasure, freeze-frame, or share with others. Activating "Photo Mode" temporarily pauses the game. Players can freely move the camera, adjust shooting angles and brightness, and even hide the character to capture screenshots as they wish.
Left: Freeze beautiful moments from unique angles inaccessible during normal gameplay
Right: Find your very own "Starry Night"!
Left: Even in fast-paced stages, you can slow down and fully immerse yourself in the art world
Right: All taken photos can be saved to the album
■ Introduction to "Catharsis ~The Last Atelier~"
[A Walking Simulator Journeying Through the Worlds of Famous Paintings]
The player-controlled character has no name and knows nothing of the human world. The protagonist opens their eyes to endless whiteness. Guided by a mysterious voice, the protagonist steps into one painting after another.
People's past years are sealed within paintings. Whenever the protagonist passes a painting and touches the lingering emotions and traces of life within, their understanding of the world and humanity deepens. Use your own eyes to confirm what awaits you at the end of your journey.
[10 Worlds Themed Around Masterpieces by Van Gogh, Klimt, Monet, and Others]
A key feature of this title is that the perspective and controls change depending on the stage (i.e., the painting). Some stages allow free exploration in 3D space, others unfold as side-scrollers, and some require players to explore by boat. The unique presentation and gameplay feel of each painting bring rich variety to the entire journey.
[Traveling with a Wolf and an Owl]
Two companions always stay by the protagonist's side throughout the journey: a wolf symbolizing instinct and wildness, and an owl symbolizing wisdom and reason. The wolf can gallop freely, while the owl can soar through the skies. These two partners help players immerse themselves more freely and comfortably in the painted world as they embark on their journey.
Left: Monet's "Woman with a Parasol"—Gallop with the wolf and feel the breeze on your face
Right: The owl's abilities allow players to appreciate the painted world more three-dimensionally
[An Immersive Art Experience Enjoyable from Home]
Rather than "appreciating paintings from the outside," this title aims to provide the experience of "walking inside the paintings." Entering famous paintings to feel their atmosphere and memories offers a completely different experience from viewing art in a museum—eliminating the distance between player and artwork, allowing you to personally experience the world within the paintings. Each stage takes about 10 to 20 minutes to complete, allowing even those with busy lives to fully appreciate these beautiful worlds.
There are no Game Overs or time limits during gameplay. Taking your time to leisurely observe the world is another way to enjoy the game.
[Story Overview]
Opening your eyes, you see a boundless world of beauty.
You don't even know who you are; you simply begin your journey through various famous paintings, as if guided by something.
The hazy, twinkling lights of "Café Terrace at Night," the gentle, pleasant breeze in "Woman with a Parasol," and the breathtaking golden space of "The Kiss."
During your journey, your once-empty heart will gradually fill with colors, light, and beautiful memories.
After traversing these 10 worlds, what will you ultimately depict?
This is an immersive art adventure questioning where the soul belongs.
■ The demo for "Catharsis ~The Last Atelier~" is now available on Steam!
The demo includes two stages, themed around Van Gogh's "Starry Night" and "Café Terrace at Night," as well as Millais' "Ophelia." Each stage takes about 15 minutes to complete. However, there are no Game Overs or time limits, allowing players to take their time and leisurely appreciate the beautiful and mysterious spaces.
*Photo Mode is not implemented in the demo version.
■ Creator Profile
Mana
After moving overseas, increased free time led to self-study of Unreal Engine and game development. Won an award in "Unreal Quest 5," a game development contest hosted by Epic Games. Selected for Kodansha Game Creators’ Lab in February 2024. This title is their debut work.
■ Game Information
Title: Catharsis ~The Last Atelier~
Platform: Steam
Supported Languages: Japanese, English, Simplified Chinese
Genre: Immersive Art Adventure Game
Release Date: December 1, 2026 (Tuesday)
Price: TBD
Demo: Now Available
Number of Players: 1
Developer: Mana
Publisher: Kodansha Ltd.
Copyright: ©Mana/Kodansha
■ About Kodansha Creators’ Lab
Kodansha Creators’ Lab is an R&D department established in June 2021 by Kodansha Ltd.'s Fourth Business Division.
With the concept of "redefining editing," this department connects with creators of various genres, continuously producing diverse content beyond just books and magazines. The department consists of
・The "Kodansha Game Lab," responsible for supporting independent game creators and planning new game developments
・The "User-Generated Content Media Lab," which operates services like the matching-type manga submission site DAYS NEO
・The "Kodansha Film Lab," which supports independent video creators and develops new video projects
・The "Creator Support Lab," which broadly supports creator growth and advancement regardless of field
・The "Content Design Lab," which proposes solutions using the power of content to address problems faced by companies and local governments
・The "IP Planning Lab," which creates new content with a producer's mindset
and other departments, supporting creators in realizing their dreams while utilizing the power of "editing" to solve various issues for companies and local governments.
For the latest information on "Kodansha Game Lab," please check the official website and X account below.