Kaidan is an upcoming third-person melee action game that blends the challenging combat of Soulslikes with the high-stakes loop of extraction games, all set in a dark fantasy world inspired by Japanese folklore and cosmic horror.

Is it a multiplayer game?

It is primarily a single-player experience but supports seamless drop-in/drop-out online co-op for up to three players.

What does 'Extraction-Lite' mean?

It means the core gameplay loop involves entering a dangerous, procedurally-arranged zone, gathering resources and completing objectives, and then successfully escaping (extracting) to keep your loot. Failure can result in losing progress and items from that run.

When will it be released?

As of August 2025, there is no official release date for Kaidan. A playable demo has recently been shown at events like Gamescom 2025.

Kaidan

Action RPG, Third-Person, Soulslike, Extraction, Horror

(8 Ratings)

$49.99

Kaidan is a dark fantasy, cosmic horror, third-person melee-extraction game deeply steeped in Japanese folklore. Set in the snowbound, mist-shrouded land of Ikaiguchi, players take on the role of a 'Seeker,' an individual caught between life and death after a Faustian pact with a mystical Envoy. The game blends the high-stakes tension of survival and resource-gathering with brutal, Soulslike melee combat. Each incursion into the Yokai-infested nightmare is a unique run where players hunt dread 'Chordbearers,' gather powerful relics, and must extract to upgrade their abilities and gear. With a focus on atmospheric world-building and visceral, tactical duels, Kaidan offers a challenging and replayable action-horror experience.

Details

Developer:
5th Column Studio

Publisher:
5th Column Studio

Released:
Oct 27, 2026

Updated:
Aug 22, 2025

Themes

Japanese FolkloreCosmic HorrorSoulslikeExtractionDark Fantasy

Kaidan

(8 Ratings)$49.99Action RPG, Third-Person, Soulslike, Extraction, Horror

Kaidan is a dark fantasy, cosmic horror, third-person melee-extraction game deeply steeped in Japanese folklore. Set in the snowbound, mist-shrouded land of Ikaiguchi, players take on the role of a 'Seeker,' an individual caught between life and death after a Faustian pact with a mystical Envoy. The game blends the high-stakes tension of survival and resource-gathering with brutal, Soulslike melee combat. Each incursion into the Yokai-infested nightmare is a unique run where players hunt dread 'Chordbearers,' gather powerful relics, and must extract to upgrade their abilities and gear. With a focus on atmospheric world-building and visceral, tactical duels, Kaidan offers a challenging and replayable action-horror experience.

Dev: 5th Column Studio Pub: 5th Column Studio Rel: Oct 27, '26 Upd: Aug 22, '25

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Themes

Japanese FolkloreCosmic HorrorSoulslikeExtractionDark FantasySurvivalMythology

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Kaidan Key Specifications

Key Specifications for Kaidan
Specification	Detail
Engine	Unreal Engine 5
Genre	Action RPG, Soulslike, Extraction
Release Window	TBA
Developer	5th Column Studio
Publisher	5th Column Studio
Setting	Japanese Folklore / Cosmic Horror
Perspective	Third-Person
Platforms	PC (Steam)
Multiplayer	3-Player Online Co-op (Drop-in/Drop-out)
Unique Feature	A unique blend of Soulslike melee combat with a tense, replayable 'extraction-lite' gameplay loop set in a Japanese cosmic horror world.

Note: SPECULATIVE PC SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS. As official specs were not provided, these are hypothetical projections for a next-generation title built on Unreal Engine 5.

Laptop Performance Note: A title like this would demand a high-performance gaming laptop. Actual performance would vary significantly based on the final game's optimization and the laptop's specific hardware configuration.

GPU TGP: Maximum TGP for the laptop's GPU would be essential to handle the advanced graphical features, eerie lighting, and heavy particle effects.

Cooling Thermals: The game's intense, visually demanding boss fights will require a laptop with a cutting-edge cooling solution to prevent thermal throttling.

CPU Power Limits: A powerful multi-core mobile CPU will be critical for handling the complex AI of the Yokai and physics-based combat.

MUX Switch Optimus: A MUX switch or NVIDIA Advanced Optimus would be a critical feature for reducing latency and ensuring the best possible performance in the timing-based melee combat.

1080p

Minimum (Speculative - Target: 1080p, 60 FPS, Low/Medium Preset) – Low/Medium Preset, Upscaling (DLSS/FSR 'Performance') likely required.

CPU: Intel Core i5-12600K or AMD Ryzen 5 7600 (Hypothetical minimum CPU for a next-gen, CPU-heavy title.)

Laptop CPU: Intel Core i7-12700H / AMD Ryzen 7 6800H or better. (A modern performance-tier laptop CPU would be the minimum.)

GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Ti (8GB) or AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT (12GB) (A GPU with a large VRAM buffer would be necessary even at minimum settings.)

Laptop GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop (8GB, High TGP). (A solid mid-range laptop GPU from the current generation.)

RAM: 16 GB (16GB would be the absolute minimum RAM requirement.)

Storage: 100 GB NVMe SSD (A fast NVMe SSD would be required.)

1440p

Recommended (Speculative - Target: 1440p, 60+ FPS, High Preset) – High Preset, Upscaling (DLSS/FSR 'Quality' or 'Balanced') recommended.

CPU: Intel Core i7-13700K or AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D (A powerful modern CPU would be recommended for a stable high-framerate experience.)

Laptop CPU: Intel Core i9-13900HX / AMD Ryzen 9 7945HX or better. (A high-end enthusiast laptop CPU would be needed for this tier.)

GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Ti (12GB) or AMD Radeon RX 7900 XT (20GB) (A high-end current-gen GPU would be the likely recommendation.)

Laptop GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 Laptop (12GB, High TGP). (A high-end laptop GPU would be necessary for a quality 1440p experience.)

RAM: 32 GB (32GB RAM is expected to be the recommendation for future AAA titles.)

Storage: 100 GB NVMe SSD (A fast NVMe SSD is recommended for this tier.)

Kaidan Laptop Recommendations

MSI Pulse GL66 with RTX 3070 and i7 12th Gen

Intel Core i7-12700H

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 140W

32GB DDR4-3200MHz

US $1349

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Details

Model: MSI Pulse GL66 with RTX 3070 and i7 12th Gen

CPU: Intel Core i7-12700H (Score: 900)

GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 (Score: 6600) @ 140W TGP

RAM: 32GB DDR4-3200MHz

Storage: 1000GB NVMe

Display: 1920 x 1080 (FHD)

Meets criteria for tier: 1080p - Minimum (Low/Medium Preset, Upscaling likely required.).

Acer Nitro V with RTX 4060 and i9 13th Gen

Intel Core i9-13900H

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 140W

16GB DDR5-5200MHz

US $999

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Details

Model: Acer Nitro V with RTX 4060 and i9 13th Gen

CPU: Intel Core i9-13900H (Score: 1058)

GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 (Score: 6700) @ 140W TGP

RAM: 16GB DDR5-5200MHz

Storage: 512GB NVMe

Display: 1920 x 1080 (FHD)

Meets criteria for tier: 1080p - Minimum (Low/Medium Preset, Upscaling likely required.).

Lenovo Legion Pro 5i (i9-14900HX, RTX 4060)

Intel Core i9-14900HX

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 140W

32GB DDR5-5600MHz

US $1749

View Details Check Deal

Details

Model: Lenovo Legion Pro 5i (i9-14900HX, RTX 4060)

CPU: Intel Core i9-14900HX (Score: 1200)

GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 (Score: 6700) @ 140W TGP

RAM: 32GB DDR5-5600MHz

Storage: 2000GB NVMe

Display: 2560 x 1600 (WQXGA)

Meets criteria for tier: 1080p - Minimum (Low/Medium Preset, Upscaling likely required.).

Asus Rog Strix Scar 15 with RTX 3070 Ti and i9 12th Gen

Intel Core i9-12900H

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Ti 150W

16GB DDR5-4800MHz

US $1397

View Details Check Deal

Details

Model: Asus Rog Strix Scar 15 with RTX 3070 Ti and i9 12th Gen

CPU: Intel Core i9-12900H (Score: 1030)

GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Ti (Score: 7100) @ 150W TGP

RAM: 16GB DDR5-4800MHz

Storage: 1000GB NVMe

Display: 2560 x 1440 (QHD)

Meets criteria for tier: 1080p - Minimum (Low/Medium Preset, Upscaling likely required.).

ASUS TUF A15 with RTX 3050 and Ryzen 7

AMD Ryzen 7 7435HS

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 75W

32GB DDR5-4800MHz

US $799

View Details Check Deal

Details

Model: ASUS TUF A15 with RTX 3050 and Ryzen 7

CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 7435HS (Score: 1655)

GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 (Score: 7220) @ 75W TGP

RAM: 32GB DDR5-4800MHz

Storage: 1000GB NVMe

Display: 1920 x 1080 (FHD)

Meets criteria for tier: 1080p - Minimum (Low/Medium Preset, Upscaling likely required.).

MSI Creator M16 HX with RTX 4070

Intel Core i9-14900HX

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070

32GB DDR5-5600MHz

US $1699

View Details Check Deal

Details

Model: MSI Creator M16 HX with RTX 4070

CPU: Intel Core i9-14900HX (Score: 1200)

GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 (Score: 8700)

RAM: 32GB DDR5-5600MHz

Storage: 2000GB NVMe

Display: 2560 x 1600 (QHD+)

Meets criteria for tier: 1080p - Minimum (Low/Medium Preset, Upscaling likely required.).

ASUS ROG Strix G16 with RTX 4070

Intel Core i9-14900HX

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070

16GB DDR5-5600MHz

US $1615

View Details Check Deal

Details

Model: ASUS ROG Strix G16 with RTX 4070

CPU: Intel Core i9-14900HX (Score: 1200)

GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 (Score: 8700)

RAM: 16GB DDR5-5600MHz

Storage: 1000GB NVMe

Display: 2560 x 1600 (QHD+)

Meets criteria for tier: 1080p - Minimum (Low/Medium Preset, Upscaling likely required.).

MSI Cyborg 15 (RTX 5050 & Intel 7)

Intel Core Ultra 7 255H

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 Laptop GPU 45W

16GB DDR5-5600MHz (Dual-Channel)

US $1300

View Details Check Deal

Details

Model: MSI Cyborg 15 (RTX 5050 & Intel 7)

CPU: Intel Core Ultra 7 255H (Score: 1286)

GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 Laptop GPU (Score: 9000) @ 45W TGP

RAM: 16GB DDR5-5600MHz (Dual-Channel)

Storage: 1000GB NVMe

Display: 1920 x 1080 (FHD)

Meets criteria for tier: 1080p - Minimum (Low/Medium Preset, Upscaling likely required.).

HP Omen 16 (RTX 5060 & Ryzen 9 8940HX)

AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX Processor

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 Laptop GPU 115W

32GB DDR5-5200MHz

US $1689

View Details Check Deal

Details

Model: HP Omen 16 (RTX 5060 & Ryzen 9 8940HX)

CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX Processor (Score: 2225)

GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 Laptop GPU (Score: 9000) @ 115W TGP

RAM: 32GB DDR5-5200MHz

Storage: 1000GB NVMe

Display: 1920 x 1200 (WUXGA / FHD+)

Meets criteria for tier: 1080p - Minimum (Low/Medium Preset, Upscaling likely required.).

ASUS ROG Strix Scar 17 Se with RTX 3080 Ti and i9

Intel Core i9-12950HX

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti 175W

32GB DDR5-4800MHz

US $2499

View Details Check Deal

Details

Model: ASUS ROG Strix Scar 17 Se with RTX 3080 Ti and i9

CPU: Intel Core i9-12950HX (Score: 1054)

GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti (Score: 9100) @ 175W TGP

RAM: 32GB DDR5-4800MHz

Storage: 2000GB NVMe

Display: 2560 x 1440 (QHD)

Meets criteria for tier: 1080p - Minimum (Low/Medium Preset, Upscaling likely required.).

Core Requirements
Operating System: Windows 11 64-bit
A modern 64-bit OS would be a firm requirement.
DirectX: DirectX 12 Ultimate
DirectX 12 Ultimate would be required for next-gen features.
Storage Note: 100 GB available space (NVMe SSD Required)
A fast NVMe SSD would be mandatory to handle the increased asset quality and the streaming of detailed environments.

Kaidan: Map Size and Regions

The game features a large, interconnected world with multiple biomes, but is explored through mission-based 'incursions' or 'runs'. Each zone is a haunted, procedurally arranged area with its own unique Yokai, minibosses, and a final Chordbearer target. The world state can mutate between runs based on player actions.

Kaidan Skills & Upgrades Overview

Progression is player-driven and tied to successful extractions. Players use gathered resources like blood, essence, and memory fragments to unlock permanent buffs and upgrade gear at a central hub. A 'Sigil' system acts as a skill tree, allowing players to unlock new combat moves and passive abilities. Weapons and gear can be crafted, upgraded, and enchanted.

Kaidan: Game Editions

Details on different game editions are yet to be announced. The game is planned to have a robust early access or ongoing update model after its initial PC launch.

Kaidan: Cross-Platform / Crossplay

While no specific details have been announced, cross-platform play would be a likely feature for the game's drop-in/drop-out co-op mode between its planned PC and console versions.

Kaidan Other Features & Info

Multiplayer Modes
The game is designed as a single-player journey but supports seamless drop-in/drop-out cooperative play for up to three Seekers. Co-op introduces unique synergies and the ability to revive fallen comrades, at a cost.
Story and Setting
Set in Ikaiguchi, a snowbound land corrupted by cosmic horrors, players are a 'Seeker' revived by a mystical Envoy. Tasked with fulfilling a dark bargain, the Seeker must enter the Yokai-infested nightmare to slay dread 'Chordbearers' and confront the madness covering the land. The world blends feudal Japanese aesthetics with Lovecraftian themes of existential terror.
Top 3 Gameplay Mechanics
1. 1. Extraction-Lite Loop: The core structure of the game. Players must balance risk and reward on each run, deciding whether to push deeper for better loot or extract to safely secure what they've gathered. 2. Visceral Melee Combat: A fast-paced, Soulslike combat system focused on dodging, parrying, and mastering the heavy, calculated strikes of various melee weapons against unpredictable Yokai. 3. World Mutation: A dynamic system where player actions, such as extracting with a certain relic or killing a specific boss, can permanently alter future runs by changing weather, enemy types, or unlocking new story paths.

Kaidan Frequently Asked Questions

What is Kaidan?

Kaidan is an upcoming third-person melee action game that blends the challenging combat of Soulslikes with the high-stakes loop of extraction games, all set in a dark fantasy world inspired by Japanese folklore and cosmic horror.
Is it a multiplayer game?

It is primarily a single-player experience but supports seamless drop-in/drop-out online co-op for up to three players.
What does 'Extraction-Lite' mean?

It means the core gameplay loop involves entering a dangerous, procedurally-arranged zone, gathering resources and completing objectives, and then successfully escaping (extracting) to keep your loot. Failure can result in losing progress and items from that run.
When will it be released?

As of August 2025, there is no official release date for Kaidan. A playable demo has recently been shown at events like Gamescom 2025.

Kaidan

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Kaidan

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Build a PC for Kaidan

Themes

Build a PC for Kaidan

Kaidan Key Specifications

Kaidan System Requirements

1080p

Minimum (Speculative - Target: 1080p, 60 FPS, Low/Medium Preset) – Low/Medium Preset, Upscaling (DLSS/FSR 'Performance') likely required.

1440p

Recommended (Speculative - Target: 1440p, 60+ FPS, High Preset) – High Preset, Upscaling (DLSS/FSR 'Quality' or 'Balanced') recommended.

Kaidan Laptop Recommendations

Core Requirements

Kaidan: Map Size and Regions

Kaidan Skills & Upgrades Overview

Kaidan: Game Editions

Kaidan: Cross-Platform / Crossplay

Kaidan Other Features & Info

Kaidan Frequently Asked Questions

Kaidan

Kaidan

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Kaidan Gameplay Video

Kaidan Key Specifications

Kaidan System Requirements

1080p

tune Minimum (Speculative - Target: 1080p, 60 FPS, Low/Medium Preset) – Low/Medium Preset, Upscaling (DLSS/FSR 'Performance') likely required.

1440p

tune Recommended (Speculative - Target: 1440p, 60+ FPS, High Preset) – High Preset, Upscaling (DLSS/FSR 'Quality' or 'Balanced') recommended.

Kaidan Laptop Recommendations

Core Requirements

Kaidan: Map Size and Regions

Kaidan Skills & Upgrades Overview

Kaidan: Game Editions

Kaidan: Cross-Platform / Crossplay

Kaidan Other Features & Info

Kaidan Frequently Asked Questions

Minimum (Speculative - Target: 1080p, 60 FPS, Low/Medium Preset) – Low/Medium Preset, Upscaling (DLSS/FSR 'Performance') likely required.

Recommended (Speculative - Target: 1440p, 60+ FPS, High Preset) – High Preset, Upscaling (DLSS/FSR 'Quality' or 'Balanced') recommended.