Picture this: you awaken as a specter with no recollection of your past, save for your name. In a frantic bid, you repeatedly end your existence, hoping that the next demise will be the final one. That’s the essence of Kugayama Shiori’s Death Diary, though instead of embodying the eponymous departed Shiori Kugayama, you step into the shoes of the sole living individual capable of perceiving and conversing with apparitions.
Alongside Shiori, you set out to unravel the bond tethering her soul to the realm of the living, retrieve her lost recollections, and ultimately uncover the truth behind her demise. Although the theme is somber and features depictions of violence, harrowing visuals, and self-destruction, the game envelops it in a lively, colorful art style (the creators at Laplacian reveal that generative AI aided in crafting certain background elements) and an engaging soundtrack that leaves you questioning its true intent. Players who find in-game blood imagery distressing can activate the Blood Filter, which alters the blood’s hue from red to something more extraterrestrial (this does not, however, remove or modify any other sensitive material).
Kugayama Shiori’s Death Diary incorporates choice-driven gameplay. Beyond delving into Shiori’s demise and past regrets, you’ll also engage with and learn about other spirits. These include Gyaruko-san, a female high school ghost who spends her time socializing with other apparitions, and Ms. Librarian, named for her habit of lingering in the local library (unlike most ghosts, she retains her memories from her mortal life). As you explore the world and its denizens, you’ll collect archive entries that populate your Urban Legend Encyclopedia, bringing you closer to the truth.
With an estimated runtime of 10 hours and multiple conclusions, Kugayama Shiori’s Death Diary will compel you to explore every possible decision to determine what befell Shiori. The game is slated for release on Windows (Steam) once the Steam review process concludes, while a Nintendo Switch version is scheduled for July 30.
Mido