Idea Factory has announced the launch of the new visual novel brand IFChronicle, as well as its first title ICONOLOGY, a crime suspense adventure game featuring a scenario written by Makoto Fukami, whose works include the PSYCHO-PASS anime series among other titles. It will be available for Switch and PC via Steam with English, Japanese, Traditional Chinese, and Simplified Chinese language options. A release date was not announced.
Here is an overview of the game, via its Steam page:
About
Ten years ago, her parents were brutally murdered. Dive into suspects’ minds using the Brain Wave Visualization Apparatus—the White Cube. Decode motives and trauma from beautifully twisted mental landscapes to expose them. Your choices warp fate in this art analysis detective thriller visual novel!
Story
Decode the painting. Expose the suspect.
In a not so distant future…
In order to combat the rapid rise of increasingly complex and brutal criminal activity, the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department established a special, top-secret division known as the Experimental Task Force.
Their secret weapon: a cutting-edge apparatus, the White Cube, capable of rendering a suspect’s thoughts in the form of cognitive paintings.
However, deciphering the truth from abstract mental landscapes requires special talent…
Haruho Tsubakiya is an Art School university student whose parents were brutally murdered ten years ago in a crime which remains unsolved to this day. Her burning desire to find the truth and get revenge driving her forward, she is recognized for her talent in deciphering cognitive paintings, and is recruited by the Task Force as a Special Investigator.
Thus the investigation begins on a second crime scene—the suspect’s own subconscious.
Delve into criminal minds in this detective thriller visual novel!
Staff
Scenario writer Makoto Fukami, whose works include the PSYCHO-PASS anime series, Resident Evil: Vendetta, and Resident Evil: Death Island, brings a solid eye for human drama and an unsparing world-building sensitivity.
Teita, the artist for Fate/Grand Order and CharadeManiacs among others, contributes gorgeous and detailed character designs.
Delve deep into realistic criminal psyche in search of the truth.
Key Features
- The White Cube: The Brain Wave Visualization Apparatus – In investigation mode, you’ll analyze beautifully twisted cognitive paintings outputted from the suspects’ brains and use your knowledge of art to uncover the meaning hidden within. The White Cube exposes the truth lurking deep in the suspect’s mind. Not even they can falsify it. Decode the suspect’s motives and trauma from these strange images, and delve deep into their psychology. Your discoveries will lead to a partial confession, and thus to tangible evidence to solve the crime.
- Multiple Endings: Your Choices Warp Fate – Partner up with the other investigators, spend time with them, and in time deepen your bond. Your choices determine the ending. Misread a painting, make the wrong choice, and the twists of fate will be merciless. Remember, unsolved crimes and cruel bad endings are always lurking over your shoulder, so choose wisely.
- A Detective Thriller Story of Madness and Truth: Expose a Connection Ten Years in the Making – A bizarre serial killer obsessed with mutilating the backs of his victims’ corpses has remained at large for ten years. This dark figure might be connected to the brutal murder of Haruho’s parents. Her quest for revenge never ends. You must decode the culprit’s psyche hidden in the painting—but what revelations and choices wait for you at the end of it all?
Watch a set of trailers below. Visit the official website here.
Teaser Trailer
English
Japanese
Traditional Chinese
Simplified Chinese
IFChronicle Brand Announce Trailer
Japanese