Japanese publisher DANGEN Entertainment and Nanairo Enterprise have revealed LitGirls: Bookbound Dungeons, a fresh dungeon crawler RPG slated for release in the first half of 2027 on PC (Steam). Console editions are expected to be announced at a later time.
The unique selling point of LitGirls: Bookbound Dungeons is evident in its title – the game’s dungeon-crawling party members draw inspiration from literary masterpieces such as Alice in Wonderland, Romeo and Juliet, Dante’s Inferno, and Edgar Allan Poe’s The Raven. Players will navigate book-themed dungeons, battling through increasingly perilous expeditions while carefully managing resources and making swift decisions.
Drawing inspiration from titles like Darkest Dungeon, LitGirls: Bookbound Dungeons incorporates a mental health mechanic called Pathos, distinct from the standard HP. Sustaining multiple hits in succession will diminish both a girl’s HP and Pathos, visually represented by the removal of their clothing and armor.
A depleted Pathos level can progressively impair combat and action capabilities, as demonstrated in the trailer where a party member, affected by low Pathos, casts a spell that harms herself and allies instead of enemies. Balancing these two attributes is essential for survival, as a complete mental breakdown is tantamount to death in the game.
LitGirls: Bookbound Dungeons is developed by Nanairo Enterprise, the creators of the similarly bold roguelike tower defense shooter Turret Girls. Notably, Raven, a playable character from Turret Girls, makes a return as a party member in this new title. The game also features music composed by Yoshitaka Hirota, renowned for his work on the Shadow Hearts series soundtrack.
LitGirls: Bookbound Dungeon is scheduled to launch in the first half of 2027 on Steam, offering support for English, Japanese, and Chinese (Traditional/Simplified) languages, with additional language options planned for future updates. Console versions will be unveiled at a later date.
A separate 18+ version is in development for PC, with further details to be shared in the coming months.