Kaizen Game Works caught my attention back in 2020 with Paradise Killer, a captivating narrative adventure that was equally compelling to explore as it was to unravel its alluring prose and dive into its vibrant characters. Initially, their latest release, Promise Mascot Agency, seems quite distant from its predecessor. However, after immersing myself in this delightful world for nearly twenty hours, it’s evident that Kaizen Game Works defies simple categorization. While Promise Mascot Agency resists being neatly labeled, I wholeheartedly recommend it to those seeking something refreshingly unique and to anyone who appreciates great games.
You step into the shoes of Michi, nicknamed The Janitor by the yakuza, who, after a spectacular failure on the job, is declared deceased by his crime family. He’s shipped off to the rural town of Kaso-Machi, nestled in Japan’s Kyushu province, a place rumored to be cursed for male yakuza. Here, Michi is tasked with revitalizing a struggling mascot agency to pay off his enormous debt. You might wonder: what exactly is a mascot agency? Think of mascots as quirky, animated figures of all shapes and sizes that need work promoting events and drawing attention to whatever their employer desires. Your mission, alongside your quirky assistant Pinky—a mascot resembling a pinky finger—is to elevate Promise Mascot Agency to the pinnacle of success in Japan, all while unraveling the secrets of Kaso-Machi’s inhabitants.
Normally, this is where I’d draw connections between the game I’m reviewing and other popular titles. But Promise Mascot Agency defies easy comparisons. It unfolds as a narrative adventure, inviting you to explore a compact open world where you perform community tasks, recruit new mascots, enhance Kaso-Machi, and help mascots achieve their dreams. A large chunk of the gameplay involves driving around town in a beat-up truck, meeting the town’s residents. While you can’t get out of the vehicle, there’s no need to fret about fall damage or crashing into anything. Upgrading the truck is essential as you navigate hills and even water. The game’s delightful embrace of its own absurdity, coupled with its memorable characters, is a highlight. From mascots like Trororo, covered in yam, with dreams of promoting Adult Videos (yes, you read that right), to humans like Miss Wambui, an English teacher enamored with her students and the Japanese countryside, the character writing is consistently outstanding. As you progress, you’re encouraged to sell mascot merchandise, creating additional revenue streams, leaving players yearning for swag featuring the likes of To-Fu, Neko Roll, and Koke-Maru.
Sending mascots out on jobs sometimes leads to complications, shifting the gameplay into a minigame card-battler. Here, you enlist the citizens of Kaso-Machi as Support Heroes to tackle issues. Problems range from poorly placed boxes to malfunctioning vending machines, and even overzealous fans disrupting the mascot’s event. You’re given 60 seconds to whittle down the health bar of the offending object by strategically playing cards with various stats and actions. You start with two action points per battle, but chaining cards together can increase your actions, letting you play more powerful cards or draw new ones. Initially, these challenges can be daunting, but you can enhance your Support Heroes by solving their town-related problems or simply chatting with them. As you advance, the game’s interconnected systems reveal themselves—not only do your profits soar as you expand the agency, but Kaso-Machi thrives as well. The bond you form with the town becomes a central experience, transitioning from something visually somber to genuinely heartwarming. Exploration is gratifying as you become adept at navigating the town and learning its layout.
Promise Mascot Agency excels in its finer details. Although not all text is voice-acted, all cutscenes are, along with mascot introductions, providing depth to every character you meet. I especially appreciate that when making choices as Michi, you’re shown the emotion or intent behind the dialogue rather than the exact words. It’s an approach I wish more narrative-driven games would adopt, ensuring player intent aligns with character reaction. Whether Michi is being [supportive], [reassuring], or [direct], you know how the interaction will proceed. Reflecting on my experience with Promise Mascot Agency evokes feelings similar to playing Paradise Killer, which is high praise indeed. Kaizen Game Works fully embraces its unique identity, and Promise Mascot Agency surpasses their previous work. And let’s talk about the soundtrack—it’s phenomenal. Composed by Alpha Crome Yayo, it seamlessly blends lo-fi, Japanese City Pop, and a ‘90s arcade vibe, perfectly matching the atmosphere of Kaso-Machi.
However, the Nintendo Switch version can be problematic at times. It suffers from inconsistent frame rates, delayed rendering of assets, long loading times, and notable pop-ins while exploring. While it’s still playable and doesn’t significantly detract from the experience, if another platform is available, it’s advisable to use it. The game may feel like a nod to yesteryear’s classics, but the visuals needn’t replicate that era. During my playthrough, I encountered two software crashes, especially marked by noticeable frame rate dips and minor bugs in the game’s final act.
Lastly, although the game allows freedom in tackling chapters and main quests, I found myself so engrossed in side missions early on that I swiftly breezed through the final chapters once the agency hit its peak. While Promise Mascot Agency doesn’t strictly gate progression, for those venturing into it, don’t neglect the main quest and aim to engage with mascots during ‘life satisfaction reviews.’ Handling these in bulk near the end isn’t recommended for most players. Initially, the abundance of systems can be overwhelming, so take your time. Talk to Pinky while traversing the world, and engage with key characters you meet during your journey as soon as you can.
Promise Mascot Agency feels like a nostalgic gem from the PS2 and GameCube era, and I mean that with the utmost affection. It’s clear that a lot of heart went into crafting a fun story with endearing characters within a thoughtfully designed world. In today’s gaming industry, where taking risks is increasingly rare, Promise Mascot Agency is a breath of fresh air, exuding confidence in its quirky world and unconventional gameplay while telling a story about achieving one’s dreams. The joy and dedication the creators poured into this experience are palpable, making Promise Mascot Agency a game that will linger with you long after playing.
