Kaizen Game Works first caught my attention with their 2020 narrative gem, Paradise Killer. That game was an absolute delight, both in terms of its immersive storytelling and the thrill of exploring its lively world. So, when their latest release, Promise Mascot Agency, came around, it seemed, at first glance, to be quite different from its predecessor. However, after diving into this charming world for close to twenty hours, it’s evident that Kaizen Game Works is a studio full of surprises—ones that shouldn’t be underestimated. While Promise Mascot Agency might not neatly fit into any predefined category, it’s a title I’d eagerly recommend to anyone in search of something refreshingly unique or who simply loves a good gaming experience.
In this game, you step into the shoes of Michi, who is infamously known as The Janitor within his yakuza family. After botching a significant job, Michi is presumed dead by his crime family and sent packing to a small town rumored to be cursed—a place where any male yakuza faces certain doom. That town is Kaso-Machi, nestled in Japan’s Kyushu province, and home to a faltering mascot agency that Michi must revive as a means to pay off his hefty debts. If you’re wondering what a mascot agency entails, picture it as a place where mascots—those lively, oversized character costumes—are employed to captivate audiences and draw attention to events. Alongside your peculiar assistant Pinky, who amusingly resembles a severed pinky finger, your task is to transform the Promise Mascot Agency into Japan’s leading mascot hub, all while unraveling the myriad secrets of Kaso-Machi’s residents.
Typically, this is where I’d draw parallels between the game I’m reviewing and other well-known titles. But Promise Mascot Agency almost defies such straightforward comparisons. In essence, it’s a narrative adventure, where you find yourself navigating a compact open world, fulfilling community-based tasks to recruit new mascots, enhance Kaso-Machi, and help mascots chase their dreams. A big part of the gameplay involves cruising around the town in a beat-up truck, familiarizing yourself with the locals. There’s no stepping out of your vehicle here, but the worry-free driving experience means you won’t fret about crashing or taking fall damage. Enhancing your truck becomes crucial since you’ll be using it for stunts like jumping off hills or splashing through water. This devil-may-care attitude not only adds to your ability to bond with Kaso-Machi but is an intrinsic part of the game’s delightfully absurd charm. Characters like Trororo, who’s covered in yams with a dream to promote Adult Videos (yes, you heard that right), or Miss Wambui, an English teacher who’s fallen in love with the tranquil countryside, become wonderfully relatable in this setting. Across the board, the writing is spot on, enhancing the distinct personalities of the mascots who, in time, become unforgettable in their own ways.
Dispatching mascots to different jobs poses its own set of risks, transitioning the gameplay to an engaging card-battler minigame. Here, the townsfolk act as Support Heroes to solve various mishaps, from misplaced boxes to malfunctioning vending machines and even the nuisance of obsessed fans disrupting events. You’ll have a mere 60 seconds to whittle down the health of these nuisances by strategically playing cards with specific actions and stats. With only two actions per battle, strategic card chains can let you boost actions or draw new cards. Solving these issues gets easier as you upgrade your Support Heroes by assisting them with their own problems or engaging in town quests. Soon, you’ll see how each system interconnects, with both your agency and the town expanding and thriving. The game’s ostensibly dark aesthetics conceal a world that’s anything but gloomy; navigating and learning the terrain of Kaso-Machi is delightfully satisfying.
Promise Mascot Agency shines in its meticulous attention to detail. While not every line of text is voice-acted, every cutscene and mascot introduction is, breathing life into every character you meet. What struck me was the ability to choose Michi’s responses based not on exact words but the emotion behind them—like [supportive], [reassuring], or [direct]. This adds richness to the narrative that I find lacking in many story-driven games today. It allows the player freedom in dialogue choices while providing a solid foundation for the writers to express the characters’ interactions. Diving into Promise Mascot Agency brought back the tingling excitement that Paradise Killer once gifted me—which is perhaps the loftiest praise I can give. This new outing from Kaizen Game Works doesn’t just embrace its own quirky identity; it’s better than the last, complete with a stellar soundtrack by Alpha Crome Yayo. The music perfectly blends lo-fi, Japanese City Pop, and ‘90s arcade vibes that encapsulate Kaso-Machi’s ambience marvelously.
Unfortunately, if you’re picking up the Nintendo Switch version, you might be in for some technical turbulence. The game struggles with an erratic frame rate, delayed rendering of assets, and frustratingly long load times, often accompanied by pop-in issues while driving through the open spaces. Although these hiccups don’t entirely ruin the experience, I’d recommend trying Promise Mascot Agency on another platform for a smoother ride if possible. Just because the game evokes nostalgic console memories doesn’t mean its visual experience should be capped at an outdated standard. I did encounter two crashes during my playthrough, and the final act especially suffered from frame rate drops and minor glitches.
While I enjoyed the freedom of managing the game’s chapters and quests at my own pace, it sometimes tempted me to race through side objectives early on. Consequently, I breezed through the last three chapters once the agency was at peak efficiency. Promise Mascot Agency doesn’t actively impede your progress, but for those considering playing, I’d suggest keeping your focus steady on the main quest and regularly engaging with mascots for their ‘life satisfaction review’. I ended up addressing them all at once towards the game’s end, and that’s something I’d advise against. The myriad of systems can initially be overwhelming, so take your time, regularly interact with Pinky as you navigate the overworld, and chat with key individuals you meet along the journey as soon as possible.
Promise Mascot Agency feels like a beloved relic from the PS2 and GameCube days—an endearing compliment for its fun narrative, lovable characters, and beautifully crafted world. In an era where gaming often chases trends, it’s a breath of fresh air to find a title that dares to be different, avoiding easy comparisons to peers. In an industry that increasingly shies from risk, the refreshing nature of Promise Mascot Agency was a welcome surprise. Above all, it exudes a self-assuredness that’s as delightful as its outlandish universe and gameplay. It’s a testament to dreams big and small, and you can sense the developers’ joy in crafting this unique experience. While unlike anything you’ve played before, if you open your heart to Promise Mascot Agency—and preferably choose another platform—it’s a journey that will linger with you for a long time.
