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Visual Novel Knight Case Files Deliver Procedural Twists
Hyokan Studios and Kaguya Project have announced that Knight Case Files, an ornate retro-styled dark fantasy visual novel, will release on November 27. Developed by solo creator Shierin, the game blends nineteenth-century low fantasy, necromancy, and investigative storytelling in an experience shaped by choice and consequence.
Set in an alternate kingdom ruled by the Phoenix Clan, the story follows Wilhelm, a rookie knight tasked with uncovering a necromantic conspiracy that threatens the realm. The narrative is partially voice-acted and presented with a detailed production style that aims to evoke both classic visual novels and nineteenth-century illustration.
A World Shaped by Ancient Conflict
Knight Case Files takes place in a world influenced by the prolonged war between two ancient tribes. The Phoenix Clan possesses a rare cycle of death and resurrection, rising from the ashes every five hundred years.
Opposing them is the Serpent Clan, a group that once pursued immortality through forbidden magic and experimentation. Their research exploited the bodies of other races, including Phoenixes, and the consequences of these atrocities continue to haunt the kingdom.
This background shapes the political tension and personal turmoil that guide Wilhelm’s investigation.
Bad Endings That Push the Story Forward
One of the game’s key features is its approach to failure. Reaching a bad ending is not the conclusion of the story. Instead, each failed route reveals new information from the perspective of the narrative’s mastermind, offering additional insight into past events and character motivations.
Choices Leading to Four Endings
Knight Case Files features four possible outcomes, with unfavourable endings serving as narrative tools rather than simple dead ends. Each failed route unlocks new context and allows players to loop back into the main storyline without lengthy repetition. These segments span more than ten thousand words and support the process of uncovering a true golden ending.
A Cast Inspired by Fairy Tales
The story’s supporting characters draw inspiration from folklore and Gothic literature. They include a newly reborn immortal, a Phoenix with an unsettling fixation, a gender bending alchemist guarding dangerous secrets, and a girl freed for the first time to experience the world’s cruelty and wonder. Each character has a detailed backstory and interconnected relationships that influence their dialogue and behaviour.
Players can explore these dynamics through the narrative, unlockable tips, and the performances of a talented voice cast.
Knight Case Files launches on Steam on November 27.
