Umigari: A Lighter Chill From Chilla’s Art
Japanese indie studio Chilla’s Art, known for viral horror hits like The Convenience Store and Shinkansen 0, is testing a new path with Umigari. The game lands on Steam on February 4, 2026. It’s pitched as a “very light” horror experience next to the studio’s darker past. The team is famous for sharp jumpscares and spooky urban legends, yet Umigari leans toward a surreal, uncanny mood. This time you step into a first-person harpoon fishing loop set on a foggy coast in Japan. The sea holds far more than normal fish, and the atmosphere invites mystery over outright fright.
A Fresh Take on the Fishing Genre
Umigari blends a calm fishing setup with weird, unsettling moments. It starts as a focused fishing game, but strange parts slip in quickly. The core loop centers on a few simple ideas:
– Harpoon Fishing: You use a harpoon to catch different fish, requiring precise timing and aim.
– Money and Upgrades: Odd fishmongers on far-off islands buy your catch. Cash pays for fuel and gear upgrades for your boat.
– Weird Depths: Head farther from shore, and the world grows odd. Fish become giant sea beings, and two-legged shapes appear.
– Foggy Survival: The thick fog makes you watch fuel and equipment. You must plan a safe return after each eerie excursion.
This mix gives Umigari a unique pace. It isn’t a pure scare game, but the growing oddness sticks with you as you explore.
What to Expect During Gameplay
As you fish, the loop stays simple. You line up shots, pull in fish, and trade them for gear. Upgrades come in handy as you push into uncharted waters. The boat gains speed, more fuel, and more room for catches. The economy adds a tiny layer of strategy: decide how far to go, how much to spend on fuel, and when to push for a better haul. And the deeper you go, the more the world hints at secrets beyond the surface.
Chilla’s Art fans should feel right at home with the odd, almost dreamlike quality. The team has long mixed tense moments with a soft, surreal vibe. Umigari leans into this style, using mood over pure shock to push curiosity.
Setting the Stage: Tone and Atmosphere
The game sits in a quiet, fog-bound coast of Japan. The visuals aim for a calm start, then tilt toward the uncanny as you drift farther out. Creatures that should not exist begin to appear. The scale of the revelations grows as you cross the line from normal fishing into a strange world. The intent is more about a slow burn of unease than loud jumps, all wrapped in a mind-bending atmosphere.
Chilla’s Art has a track record for tense sequences, and Umigari keeps that edge, even if the scares aren’t the main draw. The experience feels like a quiet drift that slowly pulls you into a larger puzzle—one that lingers after you stop playing.
Release Details and Player Expectations
Umigari has built up buzz since its Steam Next Fest demo in late 2025. The studio confirmed the exact launch time on social channels, setting February 4 in Pacific Time. The game is described as a short but meaningful ride, estimated at about three to five hours. It aims to blend the easy pace of a fishing sim with a creeping sense of mystery. It isn’t sold as a hardcore horror title, but it promises that things will look stranger the more you reveal about the seas and its secrets.
If you want to check it out, the Steam store page provides the full release window and details. The game is listed under tags like fishing horror game, harpoon fishing simulator, and psychological horror. These tags hint at the tone and mechanics players can expect on PC.
Why Umigari Stands Out on PC
PC players who enjoy a slower, atmospheric approach to fear may find Umigari a refreshing change. The emphasis on a simple core loop—harpoon strikes, cargo runs, and gradual discoveries—lets you focus on ambiance rather than constant threats. The setting offers a strong sense of place, with the foggy coast and shifting underwater life providing a constant sense of discovery. It’s a game that rewards patience, careful planning, and curiosity about what lies beneath the surface.
The blend of fishing sim mechanics with surreal horror elements could carve out a small but memorable niche on Steam. The short playtime makes it easy to dip in, chase a few mysteries, and step away without a long grind. Those who crave sharp scares may find Umigari gentler, but the creeping mood will likely stay with them.
What This Means for Chilla’s Art Fans
Umigari marks a distinct turn for the studio. It shows they can pivot from straight horror into something more dreamy and enigmatic. The harpoon mechanic keeps the tension grounded in action while the encounters push the imagination. It’s an invitation to explore a world that feels familiar at first but grows odd in the deep blue.
The game stands as a compact, curious entry in Japanese indie games. It adds a fresh flavor to PC games catalogues, proving Chilla’s Art can take a lighter route without losing their signature mood. If you enjoy a calm fishing vibe with a dash of the uncanny, Umigari deserves a spot on your Steam wish list.
Where to See It Next
Steam is the place to buy and play Umigari when it releases. The page confirms release timing and offers a glimpse of the harpoon and boat upgrades, along with the creeping fright that waits below the surface. It’s a promising step for fans of indie horror and those who like to push beyond simple scares.
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