DMM GAMES, in collaboration with Tookyo Games and helmed by Danganronpa creator Kazutaka Kodaka, will release its latest title, SHUTEN ORDER, worldwide on September 5, 2025. The multi-genre adventure game will be available digitally for Nintendo Switch and Steam, with Spike Chunsoft handling publishing duties in North America, Europe, and globally for the Steam release.
Pre-orders are now open on both platforms, with Nintendo Switch Digital Deluxe Edition pre-orders in Europe set to begin on May 30.
SHUTEN ORDER: A Genre-Bending Mystery
Described as a “multi-genre adventure,” SHUTEN ORDER features five distinct gameplay styles tied to the in-game ministries of a theocratic nation-state known as Shuten. The game combines detective work, visual novel storytelling, stealth horror, puzzle-based survival, and even a surreal take on romance gameplay, each tied to one of five suspects in a political murder mystery.
Players take on the role of Rei Shimobe, the resurrected founder of the Shuten Order, who must identify their own killer within four days. Guided by two cryptic “angels,” Rei must reveal the political and personal motivations of the ministers while finding their lost memories and learning about the potential apocalypse. The full synopsis is described:
“Happy New End…Have a good end”
“168 remaining until the end of the world…” Humanity is approaching its end.
In a world steeped in despair and chaos, a strange religious organization called Shuten Order emerges, yearning for the end of humanity. The group rapidly gains followers, eventually forming a small nation state called Shuten. Then one day, someone murders the Founder.
Following their death, the Founder is resurrected as Rei Shimobe (protagonist), by a miracle known as “the Power of God”. However, the resurrection is incomplete—their memories are gone, and their life limited to a mere four days.
Two self-proclaimed “angels”, God’s messengers, arrive and declare to the protagonist that to achieve true resurrection, they must overcome “God’s trial”: identify and kill their murderer.
Thus begins a high-stakes, four-day hunt for the truth, with their own life and the fate of the world at stake.
You can watch the trailer for the game below.
There is also an 18+ version of the trailer, which you can find below.
ALSO READ:
Persona 5: The Phantom X Unveils New Trailer, Sets English Launch Date for June 26, 2025
Familiar Creative Voices Behind the SHUTEN ORDER Project
SHUTEN ORDER reunites a number of prominent Japanese developers. Kazutaka Kodaka leads the writing team alongside Takumi Nakazawa (Ever17) and Takekuni Kitayama (Root Double). Music is composed by Masafumi Takada, with character designs from artist simadoriru. The game is developed by Neilo Inc. and localized into English by DICO Co., Ltd.
Five Suspects, Five Gameplay Styles
Gameplay in SHUTEN ORDER depends on which minister the player chooses to investigate. Each path introduces a unique system:
- Mystery Investigation (Ministry of Justice) – During investigations and interviews, use the “Snapping” feature to closely analyze suspicious statements and intriguing objects. Piece together evidence and make brilliant deductions to find the murderer.
- Escape Horror (Ministry of Health) – A dark and unnerving 3D maze… Intellectual puzzles that obstruct exploration and kill indiscriminately if left unsolved… Immoral rules that pit participants against each other. Sometimes, fighting is needed, and other times, teamwork, in order to survive this death game and escape from the mysterious locked space.
- Multi-Perspective Visual Novel (Ministry of Science) – A visual novel adventure featuring differing points of view and differing agendas. Make use of the flowchart and survive to the end of a scenario filled with multiple chronologically branching routes.
- Romance Adventure (Ministry of Education) – After being poisoned by Honoka Kokushikan, the protagonist Rei is led to a certain school and meets three girls calling themselves “Kokushikan”. To unmask the real Honoka—who has the antidote—increase each girl’s Affection and make a successful confession of love.
- Stealth Action Horror (Ministry of Security) – Freely explore a 3D map while evading and hiding from the wandering killer, Nephilim. Deal with numerous gimmicks with one goal in mind: survive.
This branching structure aims to support replayability, with each storyline offering a different tone, mechanic, and resolution.
Characters of SHUTEN ORDER
Protagonist: Rei Shimobe
Description: The resurrected Founder of the Shuten Order, now inhabiting a temporary body with no memories of their past or murder. “Rei Shimobe” is a placeholder name used to conceal their identity as the Founder. Tasked with solving their own murder within four days to achieve full resurrection, Rei poses as a detective and must navigate complex political and moral terrain. Their actions will determine not only their fate but possibly that of the entire world.
Angel: Himeru
Description: One of two self-proclaimed angels sent as “God’s messengers.” Himeru acts as Rei’s emotional motivator—impulsive, impatient, and visibly disturbed by the Shuten Order. Her persistent malice toward the religious state contrasts with her divine role, raising questions about her true purpose and loyalties.
Angel: Mikotoru
Description: The second of the self-proclaimed angels. Calm, rational, and calculated, Mikotoru offers analytical guidance to Rei. While he appears helpful and composed, he deflects any attempts to probe too deeply into matters of substance—especially those relating to Rei’s past or the nature of the “Power of God.” His quiet demeanor hides uncertain motivations.
Minister of Justice: Kishiru Inugami
Description: Leader of the Ministry of Justice, tasked with enforcing law and order within Shuten. Known for his eccentric and spontaneous behavior, he often veers off-topic but is recognized as a brilliant negotiator and dispute resolver. Nicknamed the “Ghost White Arbitrator,” Kishiru is also addicted to legal narcotics. His unorthodox methods and deep knowledge of the legal system make him a compelling yet unpredictable suspect.
Minister of Health: Yugen Ushitora
Description: Director of the Shuten General Hospital and head of the Ministry of Health. Revered for his medical skill and known as the “Gatekeeper to the Afterlife.” Despite a kind and hearty outward persona, Yugen is pathologically detail-oriented to a troubling degree. Deeply devoted to his younger sister, his precise control over life and death raises ethical and emotional complexities in his role.
Minister of Science: Teko Ion
Description: A socially awkward yet brilliant head of the Ministry of Science. Teko is responsible for much of the nation’s technological infrastructure. Despite his cold and mechanical behavior, he is a prodigious mind, holding the nickname “The Prodigy.” His high IQ and emotionally detached nature make him both a technical asset and a potential danger, especially in a society reliant on advanced systems.
Minister of Education: Honoka Kokushikan
Description: Leader of the Ministry of Education and information control. Shrouded in mystery, Honoka is rarely seen and often communicates through cryptic or indirect means. Her moniker, “The Conjurer of Words,” stems from her uncanny ability to manipulate public perception and control narratives. Rumors suggest she may harbor ambitions to become the next Founder—a fact that casts suspicion on her motives and behavior.
Minister of Security: Manji Fushicho
Description: Head of the Ministry of Security and the nation’s chief enforcer of public order. Manji is volatile, aggressive, and zealously committed to rooting out heretics, earning her the infamous title “Queen of Heretic Hunting.” Despite her violent methods, she is deeply invested in maintaining peace and stability. Her past, explored in the prequel digital novel Before the Murders, reveals a brutal initiation into her role and hints at the trauma that shapes her current extremism.
Digital Deluxe Edition and Pre-Order Incentives
The Digital Deluxe Edition ($64.99) includes the game, a digital art book, and a mini soundtrack, both of which are exclusive to this bundle.
Nintendo Switch players who pre-order either edition will also receive an exclusive digital novel, Before the Murders – case: Manji Fushicho, a prequel written under Kodaka’s supervision. The story explores the brutal initiation of the woman who would become the game’s notorious Minister of Security.
Global Release Strategy
The global digital-only release of SHUTEN ORDER appears to be aimed at a specific audience familiar with Japanese adventure games and experimental narratives. The game will support Japanese voice acting, with English text on both platforms, and additional Chinese text support on Steam.
The hybrid of distinct game genres under one roof may draw interest from fans of Kodaka’s previous work, though we’ll see how well the game balances its ambitious structure.
Game Information and Availability
- Title: SHUTEN ORDER
- Release Date: September 5, 2025
- Platforms: Nintendo Switch (digital), Steam (digital)
- MSRP: $49.99 (Standard), $64.99 (Digital Deluxe)
- Genre: Multi-genre Adventure
- Players: 1
- Voice: Japanese
- Text Languages: English (both), Chinese (Steam)
- Rating: ESRB M (Mature)
- Publisher: Spike Chunsoft (outside Japan), DMM GAMES (Japan)
- Developer: Neilo Inc.
- Localization: DICO Co., Ltd.
- Website: shuten-kyodan.com/en
Purchase and Pre-Order Links
Nintendo eShop
Steam
- Store Page
- Deluxe Edition link to be available at launch
Source: Press Release
©2025 EXNOA LLC/Neilo Inc. All rights reserved. Licensed to and Published by Spike Chunsoft
Participate In Discussions