Kaizen Game Works made a splash back in 2020 with Paradise Killer, a narrative-driven game that pulled players into its captivating world with rich storytelling and vivid characters. At first glance, their latest offering, Promise Mascot Agency, seems like it might be cut from a different cloth. But after spending nearly twenty hours immersed in its charming universe, I can confidently say that judging Kaizen solely by appearances would be a mistake. While Promise Mascot Agency resists conventional labeling, I enthusiastically recommend it for anyone searching for a game that breaks the mold, or simply for those who appreciate a well-crafted adventure.
In Promise Mascot Agency, you take on the role of Michi, or as his former yakuza associates call him, The Janitor. After botching a job, Michi is presumed dead by his criminal family and banished to Kaso-Machi, a quaint town in Japan’s Kyushu province rumored to curse any yakuza who sets foot there. His mission? Revitalize a failing mascot agency to repay a colossal debt. For those unfamiliar with the concept, mascots are living creatures needing gigs to promote events and draw attention to businesses. With the help of your assistant Pinky—a mascot shaped like a severed pinky finger—you aim to elevate the Promise Mascot Agency to the pinnacle of Japan’s mascot world. Along the way, you’ll unravel the town’s mysteries and delve into the tales of its quirky residents.
Normally, this is the point where I’d draw parallels between the game I’m reviewing and other renowned titles. Yet, Promise Mascot Agency seems to stand in a league of its own. It’s part narrative adventure, part open-world exploration, where you complete tasks to recruit mascots, upgrade Kaso-Machi, and support mascots in chasing their dreams. Much of the game involves driving around in a dilapidated truck, building connections with the residents. While you remain inside your vehicle, you needn’t worry about fall damage or collisions. As you upgrade the truck, you’ll tackle daring maneuvers—jumping, boosting, even taking watery dives—all part of connecting more deeply with Kaso-Machi. The game leans heavily into its absurdity, yet this very feature endears players to its characters far more than anticipated. From mascots like the yam-covered Trororo, whose goal is promoting adult videos (yes, you read that right), to the English teacher Miss Wambui, who can’t bear to leave the serene landscape and her beloved students, the writing is top-notch, making each character unforgettable. The game cleverly incorporates merchandise sales of mascots to boost revenue, and I found myself yearning for memorabilia featuring To-Fu, Neko Roll, and Koke-Maru.
As you send mascots out for gigs, there’s a chance things might go awry, leading into a minigame card-battler where Kaso-Machi’s citizens become Support Heroes tackling various mishaps. Challenges range from misplaced boxes to malfunctioning vending machines, or even overzealous fans disrupting events. You have a minute to lower the faulty object’s health bar by strategically playing cards, each with distinct stats and actions. You start with two action points, but chaining cards boosts your abilities to play pricier cards or replenish your hand. Initially daunting, these challenges become manageable as you enhance Support Heroes by solving their troubles or maintaining conversations. Gradually, the game’s systems unveil their interconnectedness. Success with the mascot agency enhances both your profits and the town itself, cementing a bond that’s central to the experience. Despite its seemingly dark aesthetics, the gameplay becomes surprisingly uplifting, with exploration unfolding seamlessly as you familiarize yourself with Kaso-Machi’s landscape.
Promise Mascot Agency impresses with its attention to detail. Although not all text is voiced, every cutscene and mascot introduction is, adding depth and personality to every encounter. I was particularly delighted that when making dialogue choices as Michi, you’re guided by the emotion or intent—like [supportive], [reassuring], or [direct]—rather than a specific line. This nuance, which I’d love to see in more narrative games, avoids any unexpected character reactions to your intent. Taking this game further, the nostalgic vibe reminiscent of the PlayStation 2 and GameCube era, gave me the same goosebumps as Paradise Killer. Using Alpha Crome Yayo’s soundtrack—a perfect blend of lo-fi, Japanese City Pop, and ’90s arcade tunes—sets the mood for every moment in Kaso-Machi, making it the cherry on top.
However, the Nintendo Switch version has its downsides. It suffers from an inconsistent frame rate, rendering delays, and noticeable pop-in as you traverse the open world, making it a tough sell for exclusive Switch players. If you’re able to play on another platform, I’d recommend it to avoid the game’s potential hiccups. Despite its retro homage, these issues, including a couple of software crashes, can be frustrating, especially in the final act where glitches become more pronounced.
While Promise Mascot Agency offers the freedom to tackle chapters and quests at your pace, I found myself engrossed in side objectives early on, resulting in a rapid sprint through the final chapters at peak agency efficiency. For future players, it’s advisable to balance main quests and interactions with mascots instead of saving all ‘life satisfaction reviews’ for the end. The initial plethora of systems may seem overwhelming, so pacing yourself and maintaining frequent dialogues with Pinky and other key characters is wise.
Promise Mascot Agency feels like a cult classic from an era that’s fondly remembered. This is a compliment in that it’s evident how much love went into crafting a compelling story with endearing characters and a world worth exploring. In today’s gaming landscape, where risk-taking is becoming rarer, Promise Mascot Agency is a breath of fresh air with its audacious and authentic approach. It’s a game that knows its identity, embraces its quirky nature, and tells a tale about pursuing one’s dreams—a narrative and gameplay blend that’s uniquely delightful. If you welcome this game into your life (and play it on the best platform available), the experience is sure to linger with you.
