If your interests fall into the niche of cute but slightly creepy gothic-inspired works, you might want to keep an eye out for Tea Party at the Extinction Museum. Developed by Japanese indie dev Teira, the game lets you swap between a newly-turned ghost and a mysterious girl as they explore a strange world known only as the “Museum of Extinction.”
The story begins with Rei, a girl who becomes a ghost following an accident at the museum she was working at. Instead of her old workplace, she finds herself in the Museum of Extinction, a world inhabited by people who resemble extinct creatures. Rei soon runs into Chris, a violent girl who cannot speak. With nowhere else to go, Rei decides to follow Chris on her journey – occasionally possessing her in the hopes of returning home to her original body. Along the way, they encounter new friends and foes, as well as discover the secrets behind the Museum of Extinction and the lavish tea parties that its residents hold.
Rei and Chris have two different gameplay styles. Rei’s ghost form allows her to pass through walls and slip through narrow gaps, while Chris’s violent nature lets her move objects, destroy obstacles, and fight enemies. With Rei’s ability to possess Chris, you can control both characters, and it also allows the two to converse in a shared mind. While the two are initially hostile toward one another, through their adventure, they gradually become closer and reveal more about each other.
Tea Party at the Extinction Museum’s anime character designs and retro 2D world may look cute, but the Steam store page hints at a much deeper and more unsettling nature of its story.
Tea Party at the Extinction Museum is set to release in 2026 for Windows (Steam), with a demo also planned. The game is only available in Japanese, with English support not having been confirmed yet.
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