PAX East Day 2: Cyberpunk Cosplay, Time Crisis Revivals, and Netherworld Mayhem
Continuing my adventures in PAXLand on Day 2 of PAX East I was in full cosplay mode as Johnny Silverhand from Cyberpunk 2077. I have started enjoying wandering the halls of the conference in character and meeting other cosplayers and fans of the character I was representing.
Fridays at the conference are very interesting. They are is much busier than Thursdays, but not nearly as packed as Saturdays, so you have breathing room but at the same time lots of new people are arriving and discovering the show. The panels, concerts and events are in full swing and you can tell that all the booths have their systems and talking points figured out.
I was able to explore a bit deeper into the conference floor and had a blast checking out the early stages of the almost-Pro tournament at the PAX Arena stage and visiting some really interesting vendors. On the gaming front, I took note of a lot of smaller games I wanted to visit when I had more time, but was focused on a few key areas to check out.
There was an incredibly interesting Red Bull Tavern to explore, a really cool lightgun experience, and a terrific game set in the Disgaea universe.
The Red Bull Tavern Experience at PAX East
Nestled between the Main Expo Hall and the Tabletop area, the Red Bull Tavern far exceeded my expectations. Even as someone who isn’t a regular energy-drink consumer, I was impressed by the inventiveness and commitment to the theme.
The Bar: A dedicated bar serves free Red Bull mocktails, providing a perfect, walled-off retreat to recharge and socialize away from the main floor’s chaos.
Immersive Atmosphere: Designed as a haven for tabletop enthusiasts, the space features a massive game library, mood lighting, and staff in period costumes.
Quests and Challenges: The experience goes beyond open gaming. You can grab a challenge card to receive “quests” from costumed characters or participate in dice rolls to “Defend the Tavern.”
G’AIM’E Lightgun: a Modern Return to Time Crisis
The biggest surprise of the day was visiting the G’AIM’E booth to test their new Lightgun kit. Partnering with Namco Bandai, they’ve created a setup that includes the gun, a pedal, and a mini-console pre-loaded with classics like Time Crisis, Point Blank, and Steel Gunner 1 & 2.
High-Tech Accuracy: The G’AIM’E system uses advanced AI and a high-resolution camera integrated into the barrel to track movement. Having tried a few rounds of Time Crisis, I was struck by the accuracy and the satisfying feel of the built-in recoil and the dodge pedal.
High Demand and Future Plans: The fan appreciation was evident at PAX East – by Friday, they had already sold out of their available stock. The team is clearly passionate, managing everything from design to procurement. With Time Crisis celebrating its 30th anniversary, the developers are already exploring ways to release more games from the series and seeking new partnerships to keep the Lightgun experience accessible on modern displays.
Disgaea Mayhem
Disgaea Mayhem provided a welcome shift in energy. This spinoff moves away from the series’ traditional turn-based roots toward a fast-paced action-RPG format. You play as the mercenary N.A., navigating a beautifully realized 3D Netherworld.
“Snack ‘n’ Slash” Gameplay: The premise involves feeding a demanding princess her “just deserts” by smashing through monster hordes. The combat is responsive and successfully translates the franchise’s signature over-the-top personality into real-time action.
The Classic Grind: The Disgaea DNA remains intact. You can switch between seven classes – like the sword-wielder or bow expert – on the fly, and the massive damage numbers and bombastic special moves are as present as ever.
Release and Physical Editions
NIS America has confirmed a summer 2026 Disgaea Mayhem launch for PlayStation 5, PC (Steam), and both versions of the Nintendo Switch. A physical Limited Edition was also revealed, featuring a “Hellscape” soundtrack and The Art of Mayhem artbook. For action fans, this is a bold new direction worth keeping on your radar.
