Most fun I've had with a game in years! It's like Yakuza 0 substories cranked to 11, but the cash crunch still gives it a sense of urgency not present there. Still plenty of time to explore though. A lot of effort is given in fleshing out the world, so it doesn't feel like the normal open world grind, even though the base components aren't real far off from most other open worlds. But there's enough of a spark that it still feels really different

Promise Mascot Agency is a unique cross between a Yakuza drama and a light open world reminiscent of GameCube/PS2 era games like the Simpsons Road Rage. It's light on challenge, but feels great to play. You drive around a cursed town in a truck that engages well with the game's bouncy physics, and manage an agency. The writing is full of heart, humor, and existential dread. Relationships between characters are well explored. The soundtrack is great. I don't tend to like games that are on the less challenging side, but this is a special exception. I could not put this down for over 25 hours.

This game is proof to me that game reviews don’t always make sense — it deserves a much higher score than the one it’s been given here. To briefly describe it: it’s a management game centered around running an agency for “mascots” that you collect from all around the game’s world. Speaking of that world — let me just say, it’s unlike anything I’ve ever seen before. It’s a magical world, and simply driving around in it is a joy on its own. You drive an old car that you can keep on upgrading (to move faster or even FLY), roaming the world in search of mascots. Once you find them, you send them on jobs to earn as much money as possible. You also need to take care of them and maintain good relationships with your employees. The dialogues are engaging and often hilarious, and the companion character, Pinky, is one of the funniest video game characters I’ve encountered. You might not enjoy this game if you’re not into driving or management titles, or if you find dialogue-heavy games boring. But for me personally, the story and its dialogues were top-tier, and the game’s enchanting atmosphere makes it one of my favorite games in recent years. I definitely recommend this game, especially if you're looking for a unique experience.