The upcoming action RPG NIGHTIN CAGE has experienced a dramatic and unexpected surge in Steam wishlists following the viral spread of a simple ladder-climbing animation. Developed solo by a creator known as GRIS, the game caught the attention of the Japanese gaming community after a clip showing the heroine’s movement was shared on social media. Initially, the developer received feedback that the original animation looked somewhat unnatural.

In response, GRIS released an updated version that maintained realistic physics while smoothing out the character’s gait. Both the original and the revised clips became a sensation in Japan, proving that even small details can make a massive impact on an indie title’s visibility.

Breaking Industry Norms in Japan

The impact of this viral moment has been statistically significant for the solo project. In an interview with AUTOMATON, GRIS revealed that Japanese wishlists for NIGHTIN CAGE jumped from approximately 300 to over 5,000 in a very short period. This outcome is highly unusual for an indie game developed outside of Japan, as the United States is typically the largest source of wishlists for Western or international projects.

The fact that Japanese interest has surpassed that of the US is a testament to the aesthetic appeal and attention to detail that GRIS has brought to the project. The developer noted that these numbers are exceptionally high for a game that does not yet have a public demo available.

Artistry and Influence Behind the Project

While GRIS is relatively new to game development, they are a veteran of the art industry with a decade of experience in 3D character design, including work on Mabinogi: Heroes. This background is evident in the character-focused polish of NIGHTIN CAGE. The developer cited NieR: Automata and Stellar Blade as primary influences for the game’s direction.

However, GRIS deliberately avoided directly copying the highly acrobatic movements of those titles, opting instead for a creative middle ground between standard, plain animations and extreme stylization. By sharing in-development clips to gather direct player feedback, GRIS aims to refine the game’s identity based on what resonates most with the community.

Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3755120/NIGHTIN_CAGE/