13Z: Thirteen Zodiac War Chronicle Revealed at TGS 2026 for 2027
At Tokyo Game Show 2026, held at Makuhari Messe in Chiba from September 17 to 21, Konami Digital Entertainment’s booth hosted a playable demo of 13Z – Thirteen Zodiac War Chronicle. The 3D action roguelike is developed by Mixed Realms and published by Clouded Leopard Entertainment, and it is scheduled to launch on January 14, 2027 for Nintendo Switch 2 and PlayStation 5. Organizers noted that September 17 and 18 were business days, while the September 21 date was cancelled. Pricing has not yet been announced.
According to the source, the game takes place in a world watched over by the guardians of the Eastern twelve zodiac signs. As tradition and power fade, this balance collapses, and players take on a trial to prove themselves worthy of becoming the thirteenth zodiac deity and restoring order. First impressions center on a beautiful Japanese-inspired aesthetic, with the premise of pursuing an elusive thirteenth sign described as easy to grasp and approachable. Japanese-style background music plays across stages, drawing players naturally into the setting.
Combat is a full-fledged 3D action system paired with remarkably simple controls. Clear visual effects telegraph incoming enemy attacks, letting players read the situation intuitively and play without stress. Basic attacks chain into smooth combos through repeated button presses, while mixing in dashes and jumps allows for fluid, stylish movement straight into an enemy’s guard. Parrying is highlighted as particularly satisfying—well-timed deflects stagger foes with solid feedback, opening them to punishing combos. Weak, strong, and special attacks each offer two variants that can be swapped at the base anytime to suit a preferred playstyle or the flow of battle.
The demo let players control two characters: the Fox, a melee-focused fighter with fast dashes and combos, and the Crow, a more technical pick that harasses enemies from a distance with flying feathers. A Panda will appear in the full version, with further characters planned. Animal transformations assist exploration—the Fox climbs walls while the Crow takes flight. Field upgrades reset after each run, but base tree upgrades persist by spending points, rewarding repeated attempts. The title supports up to four players online and 1-2 players via split-screen co-op locally. With an undecided price and a January 14, 2027 window, 13Z looks like one to watch for action roguelike fans.
