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85

Generally favorable reviews - based on 15 Critic Reviews What's this?

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  • Summary: From the creators of Paradise Killer comes the world’s first (and best) Open World Mascot Management Crime Drama: this is Promise Mascot Agency.

    Crime! Drama! Intrigue! What has happened to Michi? Michi, a disgraced yakuza lieutenant, is exiled to a cursed town to turn a bankrupt
    From the creators of Paradise Killer comes the world’s first (and best) Open World Mascot Management Crime Drama: this is Promise Mascot Agency.

    Crime! Drama! Intrigue! What has happened to Michi?

    Michi, a disgraced yakuza lieutenant, is exiled to a cursed town to turn a bankrupt mascot agency into a profitable enterprise. As he struggles in his new life, can he manage to make a successful business and unravel the conspiracy behind his exile? He’s helped by Assistant Manager Pinky, who happens to be a mascot herself.

    A new home to explore! What secrets will you discover in your adorable Kei Truck?

    Explore Michi’s new home of Kaso-Machi in his run-down (but upgradable!) truck. There’s plenty to discover in this forgotten Japanese town - new friends to make, collectibles to find (and destroy), other businesses to partner with and, most importantly, a variety of mascots to recruit.

    Mascots! Living, breathing creatures of untold flesh! Can you befriend them?

    As we all know, mascots are living creatures that have coexisted with mankind since the dawn of history. Mascots have their own hopes, dreams and desires and you’ll need to negotiate to recruit them. Some mascots want money, some want fame, some want a rice ball from the local convenience store and some want to see the entire world burn to ashes in glorious hellfire. Who will be your favourite?

    Watch out, mascots! Will the job be completed successfully?

    Once they’re on the books, mascots can be trained and sent out on a variety of jobs to make money, gain experience and spread the name of the Promise Mascot Agency far and wide! Of course, jobs don’t always go to plan - whether it’s a narrow doorway, kitchens catching on fire or dreadful nightmare spirits, danger lurks around every corner.
    It’s up to you to assist your imperilled employee using Hero Cards, cards representing a variety of characters you’ll meet during your days in Kaso-Machi. With tactical card usage, your mascot can overcome any challenge and win hearts, minds and a healthy paycheque.

    Go go, Michi and Pinky! Solve the mystery and create a home for mascots everywhere!
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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 15
  2. Negative: 0 out of 15
  1. Apr 16, 2025
    100
    An absurdist adventure into a world that you’ll never want to leave, Promise Mascot Agency delivers ridiculous highs on a near-consistent basis. You’ve never played anything like this.
  2. Apr 9, 2025
    100
    Promise Mascot Agency breathes new life into the yakuza genre as its story seeks new paths for the organization while utilizing many of the classic tricks, between pure bizarreness and love of honor. It's not as esoteric as its older sibling, but anyone who wants to visit Kaso-Machi, meet its people, and commit to its rebirth will certainly not regret the time they spend here.
  3. Apr 17, 2025
    97
    Promise Mascot Agency is a freaking fantastic title. It’s a bit weird, yes, and it’s absolutely not for everyone. But, for the people that end up picking it up, I genuinely believe you will grow to love this game as much as I have.
  4. Apr 7, 2025
    80
    Promise Mascot Agency is a weird, absurd and brilliant gem that captures the essence of the best of Japanese indie. It's hard to compare it to anything: it's a strange mix of visual novel, business simulator, light RPG and black comedy. It's as clever as it is irreverent, and as funny as it is baffling. Of course, it's not a game for everyone.
  5. Apr 18, 2025
    80
    In the 15 hours I spent in the world of Promise Mascot Agency, I got to know and love every corner, every shrine, and every strange, tongue-in-cheek shop in Kaso-Machi. Not everyone will enjoy scouring the entire island for trash bags, corrupt politicians' election posters, and washed-up mascots as much as I did. But if you love exploring smaller open worlds more than huge maps full of question marks, and if you're looking for a moving yakuza story about betrayal and found families, Promise Mascot Agency is the place for you. And if you appreciate the Twin Peaks-esque charm of decaying industrial towns, supernatural beings, and strange mysteries, you'll also get your money's worth here.
  6. Apr 8, 2025
    80
    Overall, Promise Mascot Agency is a charming combination of small-town drama and Yakuza crime politics. The absurdity of the setting gives it a flavor all its own, and it neatly threads the needle between ridiculous and serious. The actual gameplay is by the numbers and mostly serves as a delivery vehicle for the story, but it does well enough. If the game sounds appealing, you'll enjoy it quite a bit. Just make sure not to tick off Pinky. She's scary.
  7. Apr 9, 2025
    70
    Thanks to its genuinely intriguing narrative and collection of quirky characters, there's a lot to love about Promise Mascot Agency, and some players will simply adore it. This open-world adventure pretty much revolves around collecting items, however, and some elements of the game quickly become nothing more than a chore.

See all 15 Critic Reviews