Yanako RPGs, the indie team behind projects like MonMae and Dokimon: Quest, has announced Yami Kids, a dark monster taming RPG now seeking funding through Kickstarter. With a modest goal of $7,000 USD, the campaign offers early bird copies for $10 and standard digital copies starting at $15. If successful, the game is expected to release on PC in 2026, with console versions for PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch planned as stretch goals.
Tragedy, Revenge, and Familial Bonds
Inspired by Shin Megami Tensei: Demi Kids and Yu-Gi-Oh!, Yami Kids intertwines classic monster-collecting gameplay with a weightier narrative than most genre entries. Players take on the role of a child whose parents were mysteriously killed, unraveling a dark story centered around themes of trauma, family bonds, and revenge.
The game features day and night cycles, with nighttime introducing high-stakes Shadow Duels that push both strategy and tension. Over 80 Oni can be collected and deployed in battle, with players able to field two at once, enabling a wide range of tactical combinations.
Features of Yami Kids
- Unravel a Mystery – Investigate your parents’ murder and navigate a story spanning multiple worlds, timelines, and realities.
- Serious Themes – Explore motifs of trauma, familial bonds, tragedy, and revenge woven into the narrative.
- Oni Collecting – Gather and customize a roster of 80+ Oni, with dual-monster battle mechanics.
- Shadow Duels – Engage in nighttime showdowns where every move counts.
- Retro Presentation – Experience richly drawn pixel art and a retro-inspired soundtrack composed in-house.
- Community Collaboration – Backers can shape the game, from monster designs to script contributions.
Campaign Rewards
Beyond the standard digital copy, higher pledge tiers offer beta access, soundtrack and art book downloads, and opportunities to influence game design directly. Stretch goals include additional content like Nuzlocke Mode, difficulty options, and expanded localization.
Developer Statement
“We’re excited to make our first game with our custom monster tamer engine,” said Yano, co-founder of Yanako RPGs. “We’re weaving a story with intertwined overworlds and underworlds, time travel elements, and tons of customization. Our goal is to create something modern yet nostalgic — a monster taming game that fans of the genre will truly remember.”
