You know, my bronchitis really screwed me over. What it also did was make me miss out on so many good games released in April. This was a hot month, and a particular indie game got overshadowed. Made by the guys who made the lovely Paradise Killer.
The voice cast is even crazier, Kiryu is voicing the protagonist, you have other Seiyuus, and even Shuhei Yoshida in the mix. The entire premise is a Yakuza guy forced his family into debt, has to go to a cursed village, and making money to repay that debt. With one particular mascot named Pinky. This game will teach you the importance of looking after your neighbors.
It's also a management RPG sim with a visual novel style storytelling. It easily soothes me into the whole process before throwing me into the chaos. Many of the characters have certain charms, but need a strong figure to regain control, and beat the tough odds.
Old Yakuza Wakagashira, Michi is tasked with transporting 12 billion yen to the Hara Federation after the anti-Yakuza laws have basically pushed every family and groups struggling to survive. Under the threat of the Fujiwara Syndicate, the Nakamura Alliance seeks to join the Federation.
Unfortunately, tragedy unfolds as his second lieutenant was held with gun to his head at an ambush and lost the 12 billion. Leaving the Nakamura Alliance at a very fragile state, and well, he has no choice but to pay repentance by going to a cursed town that has history with his Yakuza group. There, he meets the silly, flamboyish mascot, Pinky.
So these two are stuck correcting the wrongs of history, by basically running the impossible task of creating a mascot agency and rejuvenating a cursed town back to its glory days and of course to pay back all that money lost. As close to impossible as it sounds.
A lot of silly shenanigans ensues, and that's due to the charming chemistry these two have. Michi is a well-spoken, disciplined veteran, constantly being taken aback by the absurd people he meets. While Pinky is the comedy relief, charmingly voiced by Ayano Shibuya. Together, you drive in your pickup truck, hiring other mascots. Talking to town residents for jobs.
What's even more, you have so many other activities to do like picking up trash, earning you money, floating ghostly paper dolls to smack, mascot support hero cards, business cards, and many others. It's like Midtown Madness, but with the whole chillvibe appeal, and lowbrow visual art style. A lot of the dialogues feels very verbal, with the writing being super engaging, especially when they're voiced. A lot of the townfolks and the mascot inhabitants are very interesting to talk to.
You have to manage the mascots, giving them jobs, while handling their happiness, stamina, and of course making sure they're paid well. Just a tip though, when picking perks, please do not go for weekly bonuses, and job share review. You will financially struggle.
I was not fully aware of how all of this works, but eventually, managing them involves helping them in accident crisis, where all ridiculous stuff happens like them getting stuck on doors, being chased by dogs or bees, having a stalker to deal, and so on. You have your support heros to deal with that. It's a pretty basic mini-game, but that doesn't mean the same for the rest.
And believe me, as much as you want to exploit to make money as possible, eventually these characters start to grow on you. There's a whole story about why the curse exists, a mayor that is exploiting the people, and that these mascots eventually become my responsibility, that also leads to a wholesome journey about helping people overcome impossible odds.
It's a meta commentary about Japan's living conditions, and people doing what they can, despite involving promoting their business on the internet by having living mascots to slave away for views. I won't say that it's the best work of Japanese fiction there is, but the endearing quality helps out a lot.
It's pretty grounded and irreverent, as in there's a cat named Trororo who looks coated with honey, he likes adult videos. A hostess who used to run a scam bar. A bat that can't stay with his kind in the tunnels because of the flashlight on his head, and my favorite, the crybaby Tofu.
Before a job, they're given help items and these things are super important, trust me. You find them in vending machines. There are other way to make money, by distributing merchandise based on how popular they've become, and amassing fans. You know, like vtuber agencies. Then using the money to invest in subcontractors, and earn good passive income too.
Drive through the town using your old Toyota pickup truck with Pinky, eventually meeting a guy named Jose who asks you to find upgrades parts that turn your car into the most highly advance mobile unit, like a Gundam. Ok, I'm kidding about the last part, but yeah, it's silly how far it goes. But Since there are so many things to do in this town, they're very useful.
What's even crazier? You know the corrupt mayor I mentioned? Well, there's a re-election coming, so I got to destroy his promotional posters everywhere. Adding more to the absurdity, Pinky enlisted as a candidate, and I have to talk with the locals before engaging in debates.
As the hours went by, so much was becoming available. With the mini-games and activities, galore, this was becoming an overwhelming game, and pretty much developed into a productive experience about learning to be better for yourself, as well as others around you. I put so many hours into this, I didn't want to stop. I love the characters, the writing, humor.
The game mechanics, mini-games, RPG, and management stuff are a great extension to the journey around this town. It's not even that lengthy of a title, you can easily finish this in less than 20hrs. And I can promise you, you'll become a better person because of it.
