Dante
Editor-in-Chief at BrandAnimeDante is Editor-in-Chief (Lord Hokage), which means he runs editorial and operations at BrandAnime. That means this whole thing was his idea, and he spends...
Last Updated on September 29, 2025 by Dante
Tokyo Game Show 2025 was stacked with reveals and long looks rather than shock megatons. The vibe was clear.
Japan’s biggest fall showcase doubled down on remakes with fresh twists, HD-2D comfort food, cozy life sims, and a strong indie lane riding alongside the big booths.
Here is everything that mattered, fast and clean.
The Big Ones To Watch
Here are my top picks of the biggest games from TGS 2025.
Yakuza Kiwami 3 + Dark Ties
RGG Studio is remaking Yakuza 3 and bundling a new story called Dark Ties starring Yoshitaka Mine. Launch is set for February 12, 2026 on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series, Switch 2, and PC.
Combat has been modernized and the Okinawa flavor is intact. This is a real remake, not just a coat of paint.
Onimusha: Way of the Sword
Capcom’s trailer put the spotlight on Musashi with more story beats and ally teases. The game is slated for 2026 on PS5, Xbox Series, and PC.
If you have been waiting for Onimusha to return with proper scope, this is the one to circle.
Octopath Traveler 0
Square Enix showed extended gameplay and locked in December 4, 2025 as the release date. It keeps HD-2D, brings back Break and Boost, and adds front and back row party switching plus character creation and action skills.
Platforms include Switch, Switch 2, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series, and PC.
The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales
This action RPG from the Bravely Default and Octopath teams uses HD-2D styling, seven weapon types for Elliot, fairy support, and two player co-op where the second player controls Faie.
Launch is set for 2026 on Switch 2, PS5, Xbox Series, and PC.
Starsand Island
The debut trailer for Starsand Island hit during TGS and showed off a cozy island life sim that feels like Stardew Valley with a Ghibli daydream filter.
Expect farming, exploration, customizable homes, NPC relationships, and a February 1, 2026 release on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series.
It already smashed its Kickstarter with over $300k raised and more than 5,000 backers. This is one to keep on the radar if you love cozy.
Xbox TGS Asia Broadcast
Microsoft’s regional show leaned into Japan focused beats and third party updates. Headliners included Forza Horizon 6’s Japan setting, Ninja Gaiden 4 updates, and Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D popping up during TGS week.
Indie and PC Standouts
The PC Gaming Show Tokyo Direct slotted in during TGS week and was a nice counterweight to the publisher booths. World premieres and oddballs shared the stage with bigger names.
Highlights included Blood: Refreshed Supply, creative experiments like Denshattack and Join Us, and a Yakuza Kiwami 3 nod in the montage. Expect a fuller indie list in our PC roundup.
Release Calendar Cheat Sheet
| Title | Platforms | Date or Window |
|---|---|---|
| Octopath Traveler 0 | Switch, Switch 2, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series, PC | Dec 4, 2025 |
| Starsand Island | PC, PS5, Xbox Series | Feb 1, 2026 |
| Yakuza Kiwami 3 + Dark Ties | PS5, PS4, Xbox Series, Switch 2, PC | Feb 12, 2026 |
| Onimusha: Way of the Sword | PS5, Xbox Series, PC | 2026 |
| The Adventures of Elliot | Switch 2, PS5, Xbox Series, PC | 2026 |
The Landscape is Changing, Ya’ll
- Remakes with new stories kept nostalgia alive but added value. Yakuza 3’s Dark Ties is the template.
- HD-2D is still hot. Octopath 0 and Elliot show how versatile the look can be.
- Cozy finally had its stage moment. Starsand Island stood out as the warm counter to all the heavy action.
- PC and indies carved space through the Tokyo Direct. The slate suggests a busy 2026 pipeline beyond the big franchises.
Here Are Out Quick Takes
- Octopath 0 looks like comfort food with mechanical depth. The eight character party switching could shake up the formula.
- Kiwami 3 + Dark Ties is not just a remaster. The combat revamp and Mine’s perspective make it feel new.
- Onimusha finally feels like a full return rather than another remaster. The Musashi hook works.
- Elliot reads like HD-2D meets action RPG comfort, with co-op as a nice extra.
- Starsand Island feels like the sleeper. Cozy island vibes and no stress progression could make it a hit with the same crowd fueling Stardew, Coral Island, and Fae Farm.
Dante is Editor-in-Chief (Lord Hokage), which means he runs editorial and operations at BrandAnime. That means this whole thing was his idea, and he spends his time making stuff work and covering the latest anime and games. When he's not doing 100 things at once, he's usually... watching anime or playing games. His life isn't that interesting, honestly.
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