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Release Date: April 29, 2026 (Steam) | July 30, 2026 (Switch) | Developer/Publisher: Laplacian | Platforms: PC (Steam), Nintendo Switch | Price: $24.99 USD (20% launch discount available) | Languages: Japanese, English, Simplified Chinese
An amnesiac ghost girl who keeps trying to take her own life but never succeeds — and you’re the only one who can see her. Sounds like a heavy tearjerker, right? But this is actually an occult comedy.
The story revolves around death, but its weight is constantly undercut by absurd dialogue and character interactions. It swings between eerie supernatural sequences and lighthearted comedic moments. As one player put it: “When you try to take it seriously, the game just starts messing with you.”
Story: An Amnesiac Ghost Searching for the Truth
You play as an ordinary person who one day encounters a mysterious girl in the park — Kugayama Shiori.
She doesn’t know why she died. She remembers nothing except her own name. Yet she’s convinced that dying one more time will finally set her free — so she keeps trying, again and again, but nothing ever works.
You’re the only living person who can still speak with her. She asks you to help her find out what really happened.
You take this amnesiac ghost along and begin investigating the town — digging through death notices, visiting accident sites, talking to other spirits, collecting urban legends, and filling out an “Urban Legend Encyclopedia.” By interacting with all kinds of ghosts and gathering various records, you gradually piece together the truth.
Your choices affect how the story ends. Refuse to help her, and the story ends early. Choose to help, and multiple routes open up. The game features 12 different endings in total.
Why Does She Stay on Players’ Minds?
Many Steam reviews mention that players kept thinking about her long after finishing the game.
Shiori is easily the game’s most memorable character. Her amnesia makes her incredibly gullible — she’ll believe almost anything anyone tells her. This innocence, combined with her repeated attempts to end her own life, creates a strange dissonance. She treats her own death with a casualness that borders on absurdity.
Her bizarre obsession with dying may seem ridiculous on the surface, but it also makes her deeply enigmatic — you can’t help but wonder what she’s been through.
Throughout your investigation, you’ll meet all kinds of ghosts: a well-connected gyaru ghost, a librarian ghost who’s well-versed in the occult. Each of them has their own story and unfinished business. What makes Shiori so compelling is the mystery surrounding her — you want to know who she was, why she’s trapped here, and where she’ll ultimately end up. The game’s atmosphere is shaped largely through her interactions with these other characters.
Gameplay: Choice-Driven Mystery
Kugayama Shiori’s Death Diary is a visual novel where you advance the story by making choices.
Core gameplay elements:
- Playtime: Based on Steam player feedback, the main story takes about 4–5 hours, with full ending completion around 6–10 hours.
- Multiple endings: 12 in total, with tones ranging from lighthearted comedy to emotional tragedy.
- Collectibles: A Death Note and an Urban Legend Encyclopedia that you fill out as you progress.
Accessibility features:
- Blood filter: A built-in filter for players sensitive to gore, also useful for streaming.
- Language switching: Supports real-time switching between Japanese, Simplified Chinese, and English.
Art & Music
The game features beautiful 2D character art and high-quality PV production. The visual style is one of the most praised aspects of the game — it’s not just about scaring you, but mixing eerie visuals with everyday scenes and absurd comedy.
The opening theme leans toward the grotesque and quirky, but the main story never goes too far in that direction. Beneath its bizarre premise lies a surprisingly heartfelt mystery.
Development Team
Kugayama Shiori’s Death Diary was developed and published by Japanese studio Laplacian. Key staff include:
- Original Concept / Scenario Assistance: Kazuki Fumi
- Character Art: Peretto
- Scenario / Producer: Wasabi Ono
- Director: Ryo Hayashi
- Voice of Kugayama Shiori: Nao Kojika
Community Reception
On Steam, many players sum up the game in three areas —
“Art: 9/10 — phenomenal artwork; Story: 9/10 — one of the best visual novel stories I’ve played; Characters: 9/10 — I kept thinking about her long after finishing.”
Some players note that while the writing is excellent, the game is relatively short — around 4–5 hours to reach the true ending, with full completion taking 6–10 hours. Still, the overall story is heartwarming rather than depressing.
What players praise most:
- The true ending delivers more emotional payoff than expected.
- Character writing is one of the game’s strongest points.
- The variety of choices and comedic scenarios make replays enjoyable.
What to keep in mind:
- Short length — not suited for players looking for a 50+ hour experience.
- Contains depictions of suicide — rated CERO D (17+).
- Includes violent scenes and horror elements — sensitive players should exercise caution.
Who Should Try This Game?
Recommended for:
- Fans of urban legend + detective fiction style works (such as Paranormasight)
- Players intrigued by the absurd premise of an amnesiac ghost trying to find the truth behind her death
- Those looking for a compact mystery that can be finished over a weekend
- Players who enjoy exploring multiple endings and revisiting different choices
- Fans of visual novels with a melancholic atmosphere
Not recommended for:
- Players seeking an extremely long playtime
- Those sensitive to depictions of suicide
- Those who dislike reading large amounts of text
If you’re planning to play, pay attention to the map and key choices as you explore. The conditions for the true ending are somewhat hidden — missing certain clues may require a second playthrough. It’s best not to look up a guide for your first run — discovering things on your own is part of the experience.
Copyright Notice:
All game screenshots, character designs, and related materials referenced in this article are the property of Laplacian and their respective rights holders.
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