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Press release:
TOKYO – May 23, 2022.
“The Use of Life“, the gamebook JRPG with roguelike elements from developer Daraneko Games and publisher PLAYISM, sets out to avenge its clan starting today on Steam Early Access for PC, following a surprise launch today during INDIE Live Expo 2022.

Set out as Goshe, a young Rabbitfolk who gains the ominous ability to siphon powers from the dead after his home village is destroyed and burnt to ashes. Make decisions wisely, as each action, line of dialogue, and path Goshe chooses affects the course of the story and his Flame of Life and Flame of Power. These character aspects unlock new choices and determine whether he ultimately uses his life for the good of others or himself.

Engage in “choose your own adventure”-style gameplay paired with dice-like random number events that determine the outcome of skill checks and if Goshe can avoid conflict or spur on more dangerous battles. Discover the first two chapters of the game in Early Access, leading Goshe down a path of vengeance against those who wronged him or one of finding peace amidst the horrific trauma he endured.

Square off against foes in JRPG-style combat, where each side chooses three actions at the beginning of each turn in battle, not knowing what the other will use. Goshe can utilize a combination of skillful sword strikes, powerful elemental magic, resourceful items, and defensive maneuvers. When the enemy attacks, tap the correct direction in time to reduce incoming damage or block the attack entirely, but one wrong move could lead to a critical hit.

Earn curse EXP to enhance Goshe’s stats and SP to level up different classes, unlocking new abilities and tactical options in battle. Improving stats makes Goshe a more fearsome warrior and can unlock new dialogue options and choices in events that shape the fate of him and his foes. Death isn’t just the end, as Goshe can retry a certain number of times based on difficulty level, but running out of retries means Goshe must begin his journey from scratch.

“I believe there’s a shared tension in roguelikes and gamebooks that video games just haven’t quite unlocked yet, and The Use of Life is my attempt to explore an undiscovered harmony between them,” said the sole developer at Daraneko Games.

“Every decision counts, and I hope Early Access serves as a way to help shape my game for the better.”

The Use of Life is available now on Steam Early Access for Windows PC for $17.99 with support for English and Japanese language text.

For more information, please visit the PLAYISM website, follow PLAYISM on Twitter, and follow developer Daraneko Games on Twitter.

About PLAYISM
Japan’s oldest indie publisher, PLAYISM, is known in the West for supporting popular indie games such as Gnosia, Idol Manager, Tasomachi: Behind the Twilight, Touhou Luna Nights, Fight Crab, Record of Lodoss War -Deedlit in Wonder Labyrinth-, the La-Mulana series, Bright Memory, Bright Memory: Infinite, and DEEEER Simulator among other titles.
PLAYISM’s motto is “Bringing a Different Breed of Indie Game to the World”.

To learn more, visit the PLAYISM official website and follow @PlayismEN on Twitter.