Kaizen Game Works returns with Promise Mascot Agency at IGN FanFest 2025. Players take control of Michi, an ex-yakuza sent to reside in Kaso-Machi by Matriarch Shizamu. By her orders, he must work with the troubled Shizamu descendant, Pinky, an overgrown finger. She is held responsible for the mascot agency’s bankruptcy. The team set the strange spirit work simulator for launch on April 10th. They offer a timed demo for curious gamers to try the open-world management gameplay.
Large World with Restricted Movement
Exploring Promise Mascot Agency’s world will take time to get used to. The island of Kaso-Machi is so massive that developers isolated the tutorial area with ‘Demo Build’ walls. The graphics give it this rustic charm of playing Persona 3 and 4 on PlayStation 2. However, your source of movement requires you to master driving the truck. Michi and the mascots can’t leave the vehicle to interact with locals or confirm you reach a story destination.
Kaizen Game Works has designed the island to act as a large race track. This makes sense when the buildings can only be interacted with from outside. The reason is that Pinky will always need to follow Michi and the mascots aren’t programmed to travel in the overworld. Carrying them by truck prevents separation from the player. In a previous trailer and screenshots, it can be upgraded to become a convertible that can fly and swim.
Mascot Management System
Mascot management is taken seriously in Kaso-Machi as the mascot’s purpose is to help advertise businesses. Unfortunately, Mayor Maeda has shut down most of the island’s residencies to keep his tax dollars in his piggy bank. As Michi, it’s his job to help mascots be satisfied with their work contracts while checking their health.
The demo only allows access to To-Fu, the eternal crying soy block. The hiring process involves the salary cut the Promise Mascot Agency will gain from the mascot’s hard work with employee benefits. For the full game, this system will take time to experiment with. Each mascot has different skills to offer for multiple businesses.
To assign them to open jobs, Michi and Pinky must scout the island for owners who need someone to represent their business. However, not all mascots are guaranteed success. Michi will receive calls from his mascot manager, Shiori for Job Incidents. These incidents are streamed live and you have a choice to help mascots out of trouble or let them help themselves.
By using Hero Cards, you battle the obstacles your employees have come across. Play your hand wisely as each move takes an action point. Once Michi meets Captain Sign, he advises him to equip mascots with Support Cards, allowing them to save themselves.
The Agency’s Advisors
As Michi meets more people who need mascots and supports Promise Mascot Agency, some will become his advisors. The main two are Shiori and Pinky who will guide the ex-yakuza to where jobs are open and sightings of wild mascots. Captain Sign sells collectibles, truck decals, and cards to improve job success.
I didn’t reach him in the demo, but Jose the Mechanic will offer vehicle upgrades. While they were not included, Kaizen Game Works have teased Mama-san who owns the only bar on the island. She will help Michi find more jobs and send out support mascots.
Promise Mascot Agency Demo’s Verdict
If you plan to play Promise Mascot Agency, the demo will allow you to play for about an hour and twenty minutes. It offers a good amount of content to learn about its simple management system. Kaizen Game Works were kind to accessibility options for players with motion sickness and turn off camera shaking. This helped me navigate Kaso-Machi’s demo area while getting used to the truck driving.
It is best to wait for the full version if you enjoy exploring and have the urge to interact with everything on the map. The game is surprisingly PC-friendly as it works with Intel i5-6590 and RTX 950. Promise Mascot Agency will also be available for Xbox Series X|S, PS5, and Nintendo Switch.
