Akupara Games will publish Mango Factory’s upcoming murder-mystery Kumitantei: Old-School Slaughter, a retro-styled psychological thriller slated for Windows PC in 2026. A playable demo is available now, giving players an early look at its blend of sleuthing, survival, and card-driven courtroom showdowns.
Creative director Selina Kibara describes the project as an unapologetic love letter to classic anime and vintage adventure games. “Kumitantei is the product of us wanting to put a bunch of our favorite media into a blender and create something new from existing pieces, wearing our inspirations on our sleeve,” Kibara said. She added that homage beats insincerity every time: “I’d rather make something derivative than something insincere.”
Set in an alternate 1989 Empire of Japan, Kumitantei: Old-School Slaughter follows Himari Sanada, a barista suddenly trapped with fifteen elite “Absolute” students in the Janus Institute’s underground bunker. Their lives are manipulated by the Apathy Experiment, a sinister program that forces participants into a deadly, high-stakes game where every decision can save—or cost—lives. The story leans into retro anime vibes with psychological horror, channeling the energy of late-80s classics while forging its own identity.
Gameplay marries investigation with deduction-based combat. You’ll scour grisly crime scenes, interrogate suspects, and gather evidence before entering Clinical Trials—tense, card-based debates where logic, timing, and deck-building determine who walks away. Relationships matter as much as reasoning: earn trust to unlock powerful cards and vital testimony, but remember that every alliance carries risk. In a world where truth is a weapon, trust is both your sharpest tool and your most dangerous liability.
Key features
– Bond with your classmates: Spend time with the Absolute Class of ’89, learn their secrets, give thoughtful gifts, and earn potent cards to turn the tide in debates.
– Investigate the Nestrium: Explore the Janus Institute’s forgotten halls and hidden chambers. Every nook and cranny may conceal clues, resources, or revelations about the Apathy Experiment.
– Survive the Trial: Piece together forensics from each crime scene and present airtight arguments in Clinical Trials to expose lies and outwit rivals.
– Build your deck: Craft devastating combos by combining cards found in the bunker with those earned through social bonds, then deploy them to dominate investigations and trials.
– Win prizes with the Kitty Catcher: Strengthen relationships by snagging personalized gifts from a definitely-not-rigged crane game.
– Insert coin nostalgia: Flex your retro gaming skills with mini-games that riff on true old-school arcade icons.
From its late-80s anime aesthetic to its hybrid of detective work, horror, and strategic card play, Kumitantei: Old-School Slaughter is built for fans of narrative-driven mysteries and deck-building twists. If you’re into visual novels with high tension, branching choices, and razor-sharp writing, the demo offers a strong first taste of what’s to come when the full game launches in 2026 on PC via Steam.
