Why you can trust Creative Bloq
Publisher Kaizen Game Works
Developer Kaizen Game Works
Release date 10 April 2025
Format PC (reviewed), PC, Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S
Game engine Unreal Engine
If you’ve played any recent Yakuza / Like A Dragon games – read our Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii review to see what you’re missing – there’s always one substantial mini-game that feels like it could be its own stand-alone game. Which, in a way, is what Promise Mascot Agency feels like.
Promise Mascot Agency review: Showa don’t tell
Although the work of UK-based Kaizen Game Works, the Showa-era Japanese retro aesthetic of Promise Mascot Agency is nothing short of exquisite, whether that’s the 2D portraits of characters or their 3D renderings in this backwater ghost town.
(I met Promise Mascot Agency’s art team and discussed its approach to design and style, and it’s worth reading.)
That’s largely thanks to concepts from Ikumi Nakamura and Mai Mattori, whose character designs have such rich cultural specificities for its misfit mascots, such as one modelled after a Japanese burial mound or another that’s not just an egg but an egg cooked from the heat of an onsen.
Promise Mascot Agency review: paradise filler
The fundamental issue I have with Promise Mascot Agency is that it constantly bombards you with things to do, which while typical of management sims, really drags the open world exploration.
Despite the charm of driving Michi’s beat-up old truck, I also often wished I could just explore the town on foot instead of grappling with the vehicle’s physics up hills or when colliding into fences and guardrails.
Conclusion
One other fundamental difference is that while Yakuza mini-games help you make money to spend on cool items and upgrades, Promise Mascot Agency’s loop often feels like you have to put more in just to make seemingly less.
Crucially, it’s about sending money to your crime family so that your matriarch stays out of danger from would-be usurpers, but then you’re also having to spend money to open new businesses or cut deals with your mascots, and paying running costs each night.
FAQs
Q: What is Promise Mascot Agency?
A: Promise Mascot Agency is a management simulation game where you help a disgraced yakuza lieutenant revive a failing mascot agency in a backwater Japanese town.
Q: What is the gameplay like?
A: The gameplay involves managing the agency, recruiting and assigning mascots to businesses, and exploring the town to uncover its secrets.
Q: Is the game worth playing?
A: Yes, if you enjoy management simulations and unique settings, Promise Mascot Agency is worth playing. However, be prepared for a slow-paced game with frequent interruptions from various tasks and quests.
Q: Is the game’s aesthetic unique?
A: Yes, the game’s Showa-era Japanese retro aesthetic is a standout feature, with beautiful 2D and 3D visuals.
Q: Is the game’s story engaging?
A: Yes, the game’s story is engaging, with a complex conspiracy plot and relatable characters.
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