Dairoku: Agents of Sakuratani – Review

Our Score: 8/10

In Dairoku: Agents of Sakuratani you play as Shino Akitsu. Since she can remember she has had the ability to see what others could not. Spirits, apparitions, and indescribable creatures. As an adult, this talent leads her to join a secret government agency: The Occult Action Department. Her assignment is with the Sixth Special Preventions Office, and her job is to monitor the powerful beings who travel between her world and the worlds beyond.

From her office in Sakuratani, a town in a different dimension, Agent Akitsu meets several otherworldly folks. They are with vastly different personalities and abilities: a nine-tailed fox spirit, a mischievous oni, and more.

Part gatekeeper, part travel guide, she does her best to get to know these entities. And keep them from getting into inter-dimensional trouble.

What is Dairoku: Agents of Sakuratani?

Players take on the role of a young woman applying for a government job in Dairoku. She is, however, a little different. She has the ability to perceive things that others do not. They’re called Ayakashi, and they generally reside in the Sakuratani realm. While taking a job test, she happens to see one. This is noticed by a member of Division Six of the Government Occult Bureau. She’s quickly hired as an Ayakashimori, a peacekeeper who lives and works in that realm to maintain peace and stability. This entails working with the heads (Shires) of several districts. (Not to mention the possibility of falling in love with them.)

Gameplay

Things begin on a familiar path, as you might expect from an Otomate otome graphic novel on the Switch. This establishes the various characters, the plot, and the setting. Once you’ve finished the story, you’ll be able to go down specific romanceable characters’ paths. Dairoku’s problem is that it depends heavily on the idea of you being a Sakuratani “beat” agent. While certain elements of the plot always happen in the standard route, they are triggered after selecting specific “optional” events.

Following the necessary sections, you’ll have the opportunity to tour specific districts. It will indicate whether or not there is a love interest present in order to witness a new option. (If you want to pick a different one, the flowchart allows you to jump to moments before these.) You can also come across an opportunity to “fight” to improve your agent skill level. Making the appropriate decisions in those character-specific segments will help strengthen your bond. Choosing or acting in the proper way might lead to a good (romantic), good (friendship), or poor ending.

Look and Feel

Dairoku’s entire artwork was created by Japanese Illustrator Suoh, who previously created the otome games Bad Apple Wars and ALICE-ALICE. If you’re familiar with Otome Games, you’ve undoubtedly seen this particular art style before.

Final Verdict

Overall, Dairoku: Agents of Sakuratani is a sweet, low-fluff Otome like Cupid Parasite and Café Enchanté. Dairoku: Agents of Sakuratani will appeal to players searching for a title to tide them over until next year’s releases.