The Exit 8 tops 1 million downloads and makes debut on PS5 and PS4

Anomaly-spotting walking sim The Exit 8 has recently surpassed 1 million downloads on Steam and Switch. Not only that, but the hit Japanese indie game has just debuted on PlayStation and has a special event coming up where you can get a range of merch featuring the game’s infamous “middle-aged NPC guy,” who has a thirsty fan-following.

Disclosure: The Nintendo Switch, PS4 and PS5 editions of The Exit 8 were published by PLAYISM, a part of Active Gaming Media, which is also the owner of this website.

Originally launching on PC (Steam) in November 2023, The Exit 8 quickly became a hit, selling over 300,000 copies within the first day. Its simple but unusual “spot-the-difference” puzzle-game premise and unnerving atmosphere inspired a whole subgenre of “Exit 8-like” games. You must escape the looping corridor of a subway station by correctly spotting anomalies in your surroundings – if you see something different you must turn back, if there are no anomalies you can carry on. Getting it right takes you closer to the titular “Exit 8.”

According to a recent press release, the game has surpassed a combined total of 1 million downloads worldwide on PC and Switch. Back in April, it was reported that the PC version had sold 500,000 copies. Upon its launch on April 17, the Switch version topped the Nintendo eShop chart, suggesting that sales of the Switch version significantly pushed The Exit 8 towards the 1 million milestone.

To celebrate, a special pop-up store selling The Exit 8 related merchandise will run at Ikebukuro Parco department store in Tokyo from August 23 to September 9, 2024. Goodies include a whole host of merch, with many featuring the game’s middle-aged office worker NPC, including T-shirts, stickers and keyholders. Those living in Japan can also order The Exit 8 merchandise from the Parco online store during the period between August 23, 11am and September 30 11:59pm, 2024 (JST).