The World’s First Open-World Mascot Management Crime Drama: Promise Mascot Agency
Image: A mascot agency like no other
In a bizarre yet intriguing turn of events, Kaizen Game Works, the studio behind the wonderfully weird cosmic-horror-tinged vapourware deduction adventure Paradise Killer, has announced its next project: Promise Mascot Agency. This open-world mascot management crime drama promises to be a wild ride, blending genres in a way that’s never been seen before.
A Disgraced Yakuza Lieutenant’s New Venture
In Promise Mascot Agency, players take on the role of Michizane “Michi” Sugawara, a disgraced yakuza lieutenant exiled to a cursed town. Michi’s task is to turn a bankrupt mascot agency into a profitable business. This involves exploring the town of Kaso-Machi in a run-down truck, making friends, striking deals, and recruiting mascots - “living creatures that have coexisted with mankind since the dawn of history”.
A ride through Kaso-Machi
These mascots can be trained and sent out into the world, bringing in cash and renown for every successfully completed job. However, things don’t always go as planned. Narrow doorways, kitchen fires, and dreadful nightmare spirits lurk around every corner, waiting to disrupt the best-laid plans.
Hero Cards to the Rescue
Luckily, by tactically playing Hero Cards, representing characters from around town, players can help mascots overcome any challenge and win hearts, minds, and a healthy paycheck. The game promises to be a unique blend of management, exploration, and crime drama, with a dash of the surreal.
Mascots on the loose
A Star-Studded Development Team
Promise Mascot Agency is being developed in conjunction with Japanese developer Ikumi Nakamura (The Evil Within, Ghostwire: Tokyo) and concept artist Mai Mattori, who have designed and developed the world and characters. The game also features illustrations from UK-based Japanese manga artist Inko Ai Takita, and a soundtrack from Alpha Chrome Yayo and Ryo Koike.
The Wait Begins
The only downside to all this excitement is that Promise Mascot Agency is still a ways off, with a launch window set for 2025 on PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Switch, and PC. Until then, we can only speculate about the wonders that this game will bring.
The wait begins
