Hyoukan Studios is pleased to announce that its ornately retro dark fantasy visual novel Knight Case Files is now available on Steam!
Coming back to life was meant to be a fairy tale, but a few knew the truth… Set in an alternate 19th-century kingdom, this fantastical procedural story follows Wilhelm, a rookie knight in service of the Phoenix Kingdom, as he unravels and confronts a necromantic conspiracy. The story is brought to life with partial voice acting in Japanese with a deep production that is anything but modest.
Bad endings are not the end of this story. A wrong choice shows a potential future from the perspective of the story’s mastermind. Using the information found behind the bad endings, you must put together what you learn to finally put a case coloured by the past and obsession to rest. Depending on your choices, there are four different endings to the case.
By the end of the story, the characters have transcended the metaphor of their roles to become living, breathing beings with complex relationships.
A Unique World to Explore
Set in a 19th-century-inspired low fantasy world, the history of the Phoenix Kingdom has been shaped by two ancient tribes: the Phoenix Clan, whose members die and resurrect from the ashes every 500 years, and the Serpent Clan, who attained immortality through the use of forbidden magic and science. The Serpents once used the bodies of the other races, including those of Phoenixes, in their immortality research. The Phoenixes retaliated against those crimes, and the kingdom’s history still rings with the echoes of their war.
Bad Ends are Not the End
Reaching an unfortunate ending is not a failure in this game, but a thread in the grand narrative. Looking behind the curtain, or from the eyes of the story’s mastermind, a bad ending still reveals a truth about the world. These explorations of the world span over 10,000 words. Using the information found behind the bad endings, you can find the path to the golden ending and understand the needs of all the characters.
Bad ends offer the chance to loop back into the normal game, allowing you to focus on the story without going through tedious replays.
Sparkling, Multi-Faceted Characters
The story follows Wilhelm, the protagonist nicknamed the Corpse Killer for testing weapons on dead bodies; the second lead and love interest Topherf, a gender-bending alchemist who owe Wilhelm a debt; Schatten, a recently-resurrected playboy navigating the maze of the future with his foresight; Licht, an immortal Phoenix obsessed with Schatten and his blood; and Margarethe, a cruel young lady who shed her original sick body to be revived as a doll. These characters are vividly brought to life by a talented cast of Japanese voice actors.
The Protagonist: Wilhelm
VA: Jyugo Hayashi
A slightly detached modern young man. He’s constantly troubled by Licht, his unreasonable boss. He’s easily startled and afraid of things like ghosts. He mastered swordplay while testing swords against dead bodies, earning him the nickname Corpse Killer.
Heroine: Topherf (feminine form)
VA: Sekiri
A genius alchemist who can switch between a feminine and masculine form as easily as changing clothes. Because she believes in the best of everyone, she doesn’t understand malice. Her genius makes it difficult to understand the perspectives of ordinary people, who can sometimes resent her for it.
She owes Wilhelm a debt of gratitude and harbours affection for him, though he is unaware of this. She also hides many secrets that will come to light throughout this case.
Hero: Topherf (masculine form)
VA: Mimic=Wonderbox
Topherf’s masculine form, which he can change into as easily as changing his clothes.
Schatten
VA: Takumi Saeki
A playboy with a penchant for blonds, regardless of gender. He died recently, but with the help of Licht was reborn as a Phoenix. He’s blessed with the ability to see the future, and by using his precognitive dreams he seeks to steer the future in the best possible direction.
He cares about Licht, but as family. Licht, however, views him as a lover and is obsessed with Schatten’s blood.
Licht
VA: Mituaki Aizawa
Wilhelm’s superior in the knighthood. He’s obsessed with battle and loves to fight to the death against worthy foes. He drinks blood as an expression of his love and affection. These obsessions have centered on the now-immortal Schatten, seeking his blood and a deadly embrace.
The reason for his bloodthirsty nature comes to light in the case, when necromancy becomes involved.
Margarethe
VA: Maria Noda
The daughter of the Duke of Dirk, presumed dead. Through forces unknown, she has shed her sick and feeble body and is reborn as a mobile doll. She sympathizes with the one who gave her new life in this body, and so works to achieve the revenge they long for. She has the innocent cruelty of a child and the talent for intrigue of a true villain.
A Creation by Solo Developer Shierin
Knight Case Files has been developed with a level of polish and lavish attention to detail only possible because this project is a labour of love. You are invited to experience the type of game this dedication makes possible.
What is Kaguya Project?
A publisher specializing in visual novels, founded by a visual novel developer. We provide support for translation, English proofreading, and publishing. Website: https://www.kaguyaproject.com/
