OBAKEIDORO 2: Chase & Seek Brings Family-Friendly Asymmetrical Chaos to PAX West

Family-Friendly DBD? OBAKEIDORO 2 Is Making a Smart Play at PAX West

This caught my attention because asymmetrical multiplayer is either grimdark or dead in the water unless it nails matchmaking and community. OBAKEIDORO 2: Chase & Seek is trying a different angle: keep the chase-and-capture tension of Dead by Daylight, strip out the gore, and package it into three-minute matches with chibi ghosts. That’s exactly the kind of snackable, low-friction chaos that can shine on Nintendo’s next hardware-if the fundamentals are right.

Key Takeaways

• Global playable preview at PAX West 2025 (Aug 29-Sept 1), Booth #638, Arch Building Level 4.
• Three-minute rounds, simple controls, and up to 8 players: 3 or 6 Humans vs 1 or 2 Monsters.
• Cute, spooky aesthetic aims to be an all-ages alternative to the usual horror-heavy asymmetric lineup.
• Real questions: crossplay, netcode, progression, and post-launch support will decide its lifespan.

Breaking Down the Announcement

FREE STYLE, Inc. is bringing OBAKEIDORO 2 to PAX West with what they’re calling the only global preview ahead of a Nintendo Switch 2 launch. If you missed the first game, OBAKEIDORO! (branded Bail or Jail on Steam) quietly built a niche with fast hide-and-seek chases and a no-fuss control scheme. The sequel sticks to that format: three-minute rounds, straightforward objectives, and asymmetric teams where Hunters (Monsters) use unique skills to capture all the Humans before the clock runs out.

That time limit is a big deal. Asymmetric games often drag because the killer toys with the last survivor, or because objectives snowball into stalemates. Three minutes forces action and makes it ideal for party nights and quick online sessions. It also lowers the “I can’t commit an hour” barrier that kills queue health for niche titles.

For PAX-goers: you’ll find it at Booth #638 on Level 4 of the Arch Building. You can play with other attendees or against CPU teams, which hints at bot support-a sanity-saving feature for off-peak hours post-launch. They’re running a daily “Players vs Director” hour from 5-6pm PT where teams try to outlast Game Director Katsu Tanaka for prizes like custom tees, keychains, button sets, acrylic dioramas, and pass holders. There’s also exclusive swag (an event-only hand fan and postcards), while supplies last. It’s a well-thought booth plan: get butts in seats, let the game sell itself, and reward the crowd.

The Real Questions: Depth, Balance, and Longevity

“Family-friendly” is a smart pitch, but it can be a trap if it translates to shallow. The press details highlight Monsters with unique traits and skills, which is promising-the first game’s best moments came from creative jukes and ability mind games. The sequel needs to double down on role expression: distinct Monster kits (area denial, mobility bursts, tracking tools) and meaningful Human tools (flashlights, stuns, clever map routes). If every round plays the same, the charm fades fast.

Balance is another watch item. A 3v1 is very different to a 6v2—more players magnify snowball effects. Queue times also hinge on role popularity; if everyone wants to be a spooky chibi Monster, matchmaking needs incentives to keep Human queues healthy. Bots can patch gaps, but they’re not a replacement for real opponents once the meta evolves.

Then there’s the online backbone. Quick matches demand snappy netcode and regional matchmaking so latency doesn’t turn chases into coin flips. Crossplay would be a lifeline for community size, especially if the game targets more than one platform long-term. The studio hasn’t said anything about crossplay, progression systems, or monetization. That silence is notable. A fair cosmetics model with a clear progression path could keep lobbies alive; predatory gacha or weak rewards will do the opposite.

Why This Matters for Switch 2’s Multiplayer Scene

Nintendo platforms thrive on pick-up-and-play chaos—think the couch energy of Mario Party, but online. If the Switch 2 leans into stronger online and higher baseline performance (both reasonable expectations), a fast, friendly asymmetric game could carve out a spot between party staples and more hardcore offerings. OBAKEIDORO 2’s three-minute structure is streamer-friendly, family-safe, and perfect for “one more match” loops. That’s a potent combo if the content pipeline—new maps, Monsters, and seasonal events—keeps rolling.

FREE STYLE’s PAX pitch also shows they understand community moments matter. Putting the director in the hot seat daily is the kind of touch that builds goodwill and highlights skill ceilings without gatekeeping. It says, “Yes, this is cute, but you can sweat if you want to.”

If You’re Hitting PAX West: What to Try and Ask

Stop by Booth #638 and test both ends of the roster. Play Human to feel the escape tools and map readability; play Monster to gauge tracking clarity, cooldown design, and whether captures feel earned rather than cheap. Ask the team about:

• Crossplay and regional matchmaking plans.
• Offline modes, couch co-op, and bot flexibility for parties.
• Post-launch cadence for maps, Monsters, and balance patches.
• Monetization (cosmetics only, battle pass, or something spicier?).

If they have strong answers, OBAKEIDORO 2 could become a staple of family game nights and streamer variety blocks rather than a cute PAX memory.

TL;DR

OBAKEIDORO 2 brings quick, all-ages asymmetric chases to PAX West with a rare global preview before its Switch 2 launch. The three-minute rounds and chibi-spooky style are a great fit—now the game needs solid netcode, crossplay, and a fair progression plan to stick the landing.