Recently, studio Level-5 spoke about branching their exposure internationally once again. While there are critically acclaimed games and franchises under their umbrella, the Japanese developer closed down Level-5 Abby, their North American division, at the end of 2021. Revealed during the February 8 Nintendo Direct, DECAPOLICE, a new crime-based RPG, there was renewed confidence in the genre making money.

The game centers around rookie detective Harvard. Crimes are taking place in the virtual world of DECASIM, a perfect copy of the real world that goes beyond a simulation. This is a forbidden place where the memories of every past crime lay dormant. Harvard must find clues in the virtual world to unlock the mysteries in the REAL world.

The creators of the Professor Layton franchise, Level-5 has a history of working with crime/suspense. Perhaps based on the theme, DECAPOLICE could be, in some manners, a spiritual incarnation of Level-5's cancelled horror-themed role-playing game, Ushiro, from 2008. 

The presence from Level-5 at the Nintendo Direct has certainly been encouraging to see. I was a little surprised that no announcement for Yokai Watch was present.

DECAPOLICE has a planned release date in 2023 for the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, and PlayStation 4.