Review of Promise Mascot Agency

Kaizen Game Works first caught my attention with their captivating 2020 narrative adventure, Paradise Killer. A delightful blend of exploration and storytelling, it introduced players to a world that was as engaging as its intriguing characters. Fast forward to now, and they’ve released Promise Mascot Agency. At first glance, it seems to diverge entirely from the style of Paradise Killer. But after diving into its world for nearly twenty hours, it’s evident that Kaizen Game Works thrives on breaking the mold. Regardless of what labels you might try to stick on it, Promise Mascot Agency is a fantastic choice for those seeking something refreshingly unconventional or anyone who appreciates high-quality gaming experiences.

In this adventure, you step into the shoes of Michi, known in the yakuza circles as The Janitor. Following a botched job, his mob family essentially disowns him, pretending he’s dead and sending him to a secluded town infamous for a deadly curse that affects any male yakuza who dares enter. This quaint town, Kaso-Machi in Kyushu, Japan, is home to a struggling mascot agency that Michi must revitalize to clear his substantial debt. But what exactly is a mascot agency, you ask? Think of mascots as lively characters of all shapes and sizes who are employed to hype up events and garner attention for their employers. Michi’s challenge, alongside his quirky assistant Pinky—a mascot shaped like a severed pinky finger—is to elevate the Promise Mascot Agency to national fame while uncovering the myriad secrets of Kaso-Machi’s residents.

Typically, I’d compare the game to some popular titles you might recognize, but Promise Mascot Agency is truly one of a kind. If you had to pin it down, you could call it a narrative adventure game. Here, you’re placed in a compact open-world setting where your mission is to enlist new mascots, upgrade Kaso-Machi, and help these mascots chase their dreams. The gameplay largely involves cruising around in a beat-up truck, familiarizing yourself with this charming village and its inhabitants. Interestingly, you’re bound to your vehicle—you won’t ever step out of it—but don’t worry about crashing or taking damage. Enhancing your truck is part of the adventure, allowing you to jump, boost, and sail off hills or splash into water. This immersive experience invites you to truly get to know Kaso-Machi. While the game revels in its absurdity, it surprisingly leads to more relatable character narratives than you’d expect. Take, for instance, Trororo, a yam-covered mascot invested in advocating for Adult Video enjoyment (seriously), or Miss Wambui, the foreign teacher so enamored with her students and the idyllic Japanese countryside she can’t bring herself to leave. The writing is exceptional throughout, which dovetails nicely with the creative design of mascots who leave a lasting impression. A brilliant feature that has you selling mascot merchandise to secure more funds almost tempts you to wish for real-life products of characters like To-Fu, Neko Roll, and Koke-Maru.

When dispatching mascots on jobs, occasionally things may not go as planned, introducing a minigame that’s part card-battler. You enlist Kaso-Machi’s citizens as Support Heroes to address problems varying from misplaced boxes to faulty vending machines and enthusiastic fans disrupting mascot events. You are given 60 seconds to whittle down the faulty object’s health by strategically using cards of different stats and actions. Though you’re limited to two action points per battle, card combos can expand your options for playing more costly cards or drawing new ones. Initially, these challenges can be daunting, but by assisting Support Heroes with their personal quests or regularly catching up with them, you can upgrade them. As you progress, the interconnectedness of the game’s systems becomes clear. Not only will you see your profits rise with the agency’s expansion, but you’ll also witness the town’s development. Your bond with Kaso-Machi is integral to this experience, transforming it from visually somber to heartwarming as you navigate and discover its pathways.

Promise Mascot Agency shines in its attention to small details. While the majority of the dialogue isn’t voice-acted, the cutscenes and mascot introductions are, enhancing the characters’ depth. A feature I particularly appreciate is the emotion-driven dialogue choices for Michi; rather than seeing a specific line, you’re shown the emotional direction or intent, like [supportive], [reassuring], or [direct]. This mechanic, allowing for expressive freedom for both players and writers, is something I’d love to see adopted in more story-driven games. This game evoked the same excitement as Paradise Killer, which is perhaps the highest compliment I can give. Kaizen Game Works has doubled down on their unique identity, and I believe Promise Mascot Agency surpasses their previous work. And let’s talk about that soundtrack—absolutely phenomenal. Alpha Chrome Yayo delivers a seamless mix of lo-fi, Japanese City Pop, and a ‘90s arcade vibe that perfectly complements Kaso-Machi’s atmosphere.

The most notable drawback is the Nintendo Switch version, which can be quite problematic. Issues like inconsistent framerates, delayed rendering of assets, prolonged loading times, and texture pop-ins while driving the open world can detract significantly. While the game remains enjoyable, if you have access to any other platform, I’d recommend that over the Switch. A couple of software crashes and some minor bugs and stutters also mar the final chapter more than the rest.

Moreover, the open structure allows you to approach the chapters and quests in any order, leading to the possibility of zipping through the last few chapters once your agency is fully optimized. So, as advice for future players, don’t put off the main quest too long—engage with your mascots’ ‘life satisfaction reviews’ regularly. I handled them all at once towards the game’s conclusion, which might not be the best strategy for everyone. In the beginning, the game’s multiple systems can seem overwhelming, so take your time. Chat with Pinky during your travels and connect with interesting characters you encounter early and often.

Promise Mascot Agency feels like a delightful nod to cult classics from the PS2 and GameCube days, and I mean that wholeheartedly. You can sense the warmth and dedication poured into crafting an entertaining story, lovable characters, and an inviting world. It’s rare nowadays to find games that dare to step outside the box, that don’t immediately compare themselves to others. In a gaming industry often hesitant to take risks, Promise Mascot Agency proves refreshingly daring. Above all, it stands confidently by its quirky world, gameplay, and a heartfelt narrative about fulfilling dreams. You can feel the creators’ joy in every detail. It’s unlike anything you’ve played before, and if you open yourself to it (and use a different platform, if you can), it’s an experience that will linger with you for a long time.