Kodansha Game Lab announces immersive art adventure game

Kodansha Game Lab has announced a new immersive art adventure game titled ‘Catharsis: The Last Atelier’ (Katarushisu ~Saigo no Atorie~), developed by Mana. The game’s Steam store page is now live, with a planned release within 2026.

Players take on the role of a nameless entity traveling through ten different worlds inspired by famous paintings, including works by Van Gogh, Monet, and Klimt. Rather than viewing art as static images, the game allows players to physically walk through reconstructed 3D spaces to collect fragments of ‘memories’ left behind by the subjects of the paintings.

The experience features varied gameplay mechanics depending on the stage, such as 3D exploration, side-scrolling, or navigating via boat. Players are accompanied by two companions—a wolf representing instinct and an owl representing wisdom—to enhance the sensory experience. The game is designed to be a relaxing experience with no game-over screens or time limits, focusing on the interactive perception of light, color, and atmosphere.