It turns out that I'm not the only person who took one look at Promise Mascot Agency's announcement two months ago to find I was both baffled and immediately emotionally invested. Today, Kaizen Game Works released a gameplay deep dive video for the world's first open world mascot management crime drama. While some aspects of the game have become clearer, I expect most of the mystery won't be revealed until it's launched next year, though one does reveal itself through this new trailer: fans of Paradise Killer may recognize the voice narrating the deep dive. Any ideas?
Here's what has been revealed of the story before today's video: Michi is a disgraced yakuza lieutenant who is exiled to a cursed town to turn a bankrupt mascot agency into a thriving business. This new life is a struggle for Michi, even with the help of his Assistant Manager. But a town full of living mascots isn't strange enough: there is a mystery (maybe better described as a conspiracy) behind why Michi was exiled to begin with and he desperately wants to unravel it.
Promise Mascot Agency promises to be the best (albeit only) example of the open world mascot management crime drama genre. People are bound to be baffled. The deep dive video introduces us to Michi the hero, his chaotic assistant, and a world filled to the brim with mascots. (That's not creepy at all.) It also touches upon the process of hiring mascots, the dangers of work, and a mystery involving a deadly curse. Those with a keen eye should spot some newly-revealed mascots and characters… and maybe a bat with a pickaxe.
"We're so happy with the response to our announcement and we've been itching to show you more," says Game Director Oli Clarke Smith in a press release. "Promise Mascot Agency is a unique game and there is so much to see and do. This video shows you just the tip of the iceberg. There are many more mascots to meet, people to help and FORBIDDEN MYSTERIES to uncover. This game rocks ass."
Developed and published by Kaizen Game Works (in collaboration with Unseen's Ikumi Nakamura and Mai Mattori, and with financial assistance from Kowloon Nights and the UK Global Screen Fund), Promise Mascot Agency will be released for PC via Steam/Epic, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series, and Xbox One in 2025.
