Promise Mascot Agency is an open world mascot management crime drama

Okay, so what the heck is this then? Kaizen Game Works (Paradise Killer) recently announced Promise Mascot Agency and the setting sounds absolutely bizarre.

Shown off during the ID@Xbox show it's what they're calling the "world's first and best open world mascot management crime drama". This is probably one of the most unique games I've seen for a while because of how it blends genres together like this. It also has a suitably weird trailer:

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More about it:

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 create a successful business and unravel the conspiracy behind his exile? He’s helped by Assistant Manager Pinky, who happens to be a mascot herself.

Players will explore their new home of Kaso-Machi in Michi’s 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.

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 purifying hellfire.

Kaizen Game Works collaborated with well-known Japanese developer Ikumi Nakamura (The Evil Within, Ghostwire: Tokyo) and concept artist Mai Mattori on concept and art direction for Promise Mascot Agency. The pair helped Kaizen design and develop the world and characters, working together to create a unique Yakuza family, a repurposed love hotel and a cast of memorable, occasionally-horrific mascots! 

To bring the concept art to life, Kaizen Game Works worked with Inko Ai Takita, a Japanese manga artist based in the UK who illustrated Promise Mascot Agency's band of freaks and weirdos in her signature manga style. 

This looks like one I absolutely have to try. So hopefully it works well enough with Valve's Proton. It's not due out until 2025, and I've spoken to the developer about a key when they become available so hopefully I'll be able to take a look.

You can follow it on Steam.