Review of Promise Mascot Agency

Kaizen Game Works first piqued my interest with Paradise Killer—a 2020 narrative gem that was as captivating to explore as it was to unravel its fascinating story and meet its colorful cast. Initially, their new title, Promise Mascot Agency, didn’t seem to carry much resemblance. But after immersing myself in its vibrant universe for nearly twenty hours, it’s clear that Kaizen Game Works has crafted another unique experience that defies easy categorization. Though it’s a tough nut to crack in terms of labels, I can confidently recommend it to anyone seeking a game that’s utterly unique or simply loves a good gaming experience.

In this quirky narrative, you step into the shoes of Michi, or as he’s known in the yakuza world, The Janitor. After a spectacular job failure, his mob family writes him off as dead and ships him off to the cursed town of Kaso-Machi in Japan’s Kyushu province. There’s a local legend that says any male yakuza who enters this rural place is doomed. However, Michi’s mission is to breathe life back into a struggling mascot agency to pay off his enormous debt. You might be wondering—what exactly is a mascot agency? Imagine mascots as living, breathing entities that come in all shapes and sizes, needing jobs to hype up events or spotlight various causes. That’s where Michi, with the help of his assistant Pinky, a mascot that looks like a severed pinky finger, steps in to transform Promise Mascot Agency into the premier outfit in Japan. As you embark on this journey, you’ll also uncover the secrets and stories of Kaso-Machi’s residents.

At this juncture of the review, I usually draw parallels to other well-known games, but Promise Mascot Agency is practically peerless. It’s a kind of narrative adventure, with a compact open world where your tasks revolve around recruiting mascots, revitalizing Kaso-Machi, and aiding mascots in achieving their dreams. You cruise around town in a ramshackle truck, mingling with folks in this small community. There’s no on-foot exploration, yet you needn’t worry about vehicular mishaps either. Enhancing the truck adds to the experience as you ramp over hills or splash into bodies of water, all while getting a deeper sense of Kaso-Machi. The absurdity of the game gives it a charm that unexpectedly resonates, as you meet characters like Trororo, the mascot crafted from yam with a singular goal—advocating for the enjoyment of Adult Videos (yes, really), or Miss Wambui, an exchange teacher smitten with both her students and the idyllic Japanese countryside. The writing is consistently superb, enhancing the creative flair of each mascot who stands out in their own right. It’s a stroke of genius to sell merchandise of these mascots as you progress, because now I’m absolutely yearning for collectibles of To-Fu, Neko Roll, and Koke-Maru.

When you send mascots on gigs, mishaps sometimes occur, moving the game into a minigame card-battler where the townspeople of Kaso-Machi act as Support Heroes. These heroes help tackle issues ranging from misplaced boxes to broken vending machines, or even raucous fans disrupting an event. In just 60 seconds, you must trim down the problem’s health bar, strategically deploying cards with distinct stats and effects. You’re allotted two action points per encounter, but chaining cards together can boost your actions, enabling you to play pricier cards or draw fresh selections. Initially, these challenges are taxing, but by assisting your Support Heroes with their personal quests or regular chats, you can upgrade them. The interplay among the game’s systems gradually makes sense. The payoff isn’t just financial as you expand the agency, but you also forge a profound connection with the town itself. Despite the game’s moody veneer, the playing experience turned out to be unexpectedly heartwarming. Navigating the town and mastering its paths felt rewarding.

The small details shine in Promise Mascot Agency. Though not all dialogue is voice-acted, cutscenes and mascot introductions are fully voiced, lending depth to every interaction. A particular touch I admired was how choices are represented—through emotions and intents, rather than explicit lines of dialogue. This mechanism is one I wish more narrative games would embrace, as it prevents misunderstandings when you’re aiming for a positive response. Here, Michi’s options are tagged with words like [supportive], [reassuring], or [direct], allowing the story and character interactions to unfold naturally. Playing Promise Mascot Agency evoked memories of Paradise Killer, which is among the best commendations I can offer. Kaizen Game Works has truly embraced its uniqueness, delivering an even stronger offering this time around. The soundtrack, crafted by Alpha Crome Yayo, strikes a delightful balance with its fusion of lo-fi, Japanese City Pop, and ‘90s arcade sounds, perfectly blending with the atmosphere of Kaso-Machi. It’s the cherry on top of this irresistible indulgence.

The major downside here is the Nintendo Switch’s performance issues, which range from inconsistent frame rates, delayed rendering of assets, and prolonged loading times, to pop-ins while navigating the open world. This might deter anyone with the Switch as their sole platform. Although these faults don’t entirely dampen the experience, I’d suggest opting for another platform if possible. Even though the game carries a nostalgic charm for a bygone era, no one wants outdated visuals. I encountered two software crashes, and the final act suffered significantly more from frame stutters and minor glitches.

I must mention the freedom the game provides to explore chapters and main quests at your leisure. I was so engrossed in the side quests early on that I breezed through the last three chapters once the agency was humming at full capacity. While Promise Mascot Agency doesn’t necessarily restrict progress, I’d advise new players not to neglect the main quest and to check in on your mascots during their ‘life satisfaction reviews.’ Near the game’s conclusion, I handled all reviews consecutively, which I’d not recommend for anyone. The game’s multitude of systems can initially be overwhelming, so it’s best to take your time, chat with Pinky often while cruising the overworld, and engage with interesting characters as early as you can.

Promise Mascot Agency feels like a cult classic from the PlayStation 2 and GameCube era, and I mean that with the highest affection. With its heartfelt storytelling, charismatic characters, and imaginative world, it’s a rarity in today’s game industry. It’s invigorating to find a game so boldly different, resisting the all-too-common temptation to mirror other games or studios. In a risk-averse gaming landscape, Promise Mascot Agency stands out for its audacity and unique vision. The creators’ joy in crafting this world is tangible, inviting players into a one-of-a-kind experience. This game is something you haven’t quite seen before, but it will undoubtedly leave a lasting impression—just remember to choose the best platform available to you.