Gamebook-style RPG "The Way to Use Life" Set for Official Steam Release on November 26. Player Choices Will Alter the Protagonist's Attachment to "Life" and "Power"

Note: the original Japanese article can be found at:
https://www.4gamer.net/games/548/G054809/20251101003/

Editorial Department: Ryō Sugimoto | 2025/10/31 15:59 (UTC)

PLAYISM has announced that its PC game currently in Early Access, The Use of Life, will be officially released on November 26, 2025, and has unveiled a new trailer.

The Use of Life is an RPG with a gamebook-style narrative where the story dramatically changes based on player choices. It follows Gooshu, a rabbit-human who lost his family and friends when his village was attacked by a massive dragon, as he battles while carrying the hatred of the people and grappling with inner turmoil.

Thumbnail image No.012 / Gamebook-style RPG “The Use of Life” to be officially released on Steam November 26. Player choices alter protagonist’s attachment to “life” and “power” Thumbnail image No.013 / Gamebook-style RPG “The Use of Life” to be officially released on Steam November 26. Player choices alter protagonist’s attachment to “life” and “power”

Choices lead to various outcomes, and sometimes decisions are determined by dice rolls akin to TRPG mechanics. Player choices alter Gooshu’s internal state—shifting his attachment to “life” and attachment to “power”, which in turn influences the story’s direction.

Thumbnail image No.014 / Gamebook-style RPG “The Use of Life” to be officially released on Steam November 26. Player choices alter protagonist’s attachment to “life” and “power” Thumbnail image No.015 / Gamebook-style RPG “The Use of Life” to be officially released on Steam November 26. Player choices alter protagonist’s attachment to “life” and “power”

The core battle system uses command-based combat, but some sections incorporate QTE-like action elements. A unique feature allows Gooshu to gain new abilities after touching “death,” and the game offers diverse combat styles—a hallmark of this title.

Official Website for The Use of Life

PLAYISM – Delivering high-quality indie games worldwide
Gamebook-style Multi-Ending RPG
“The Use of Life”
Official Release Set for November 26!
Three and a half years of Early Access now complete

Thumbnail image No.001 / Gamebook-style RPG “The Use of Life” to be officially released on Steam November 26. Player choices alter protagonist’s attachment to “life” and “power”

Indie game publishing brand PLAYISM (https://playism.com/) (operated by Active Gaming Media Inc.) is pleased to announce that The Use of Life, a gamebook-style multi-ending RPG developed by independent creator daraneko, will officially launch on Steam on November 26, 2025. The final update at release will implement all endings and achievement features, delivering a complete experience for players.

Over the course of three and a half years in Early Access development, numerous updates have been made with support from countless users to refine and improve content. The game now delivers a compelling mix of difficult choices, intense combat, and satisfying completion—so please look forward to it. Note that the price will be adjusted to 2,380 yen (tax included) at official release. Players interested in the title are advised to purchase during Early Access for a lower price.

Official Release Trailer
https://youtu.be/gvBPYmHnsLo

■ Game Overview

● “Do you value life… or do you crave power?”
After his village is destroyed by a massive dragon and he loses his family and friends, rabbit-human youth Gooshu gains immense strength—but at the cost of an unstable body that could end at any moment. As player-controlled Gooshu, you’ll make choices throughout your journey and encounters. These decisions alter his internal state—shifting his attachment to “life” and attachment to “power”, which in turn changes how he thinks.

What is the purpose of seeking power? Is there something more important than one’s own life? The conclusions Gooshu reaches—and the path he walks—are entirely up to your choices.

● Unique gamebook-style gameplay experience
When confronted by enemies—will you fight head-on, flee, or try to talk your way out? This title features unique narrative presentation reminiscent of a gamebook, with multiple events occurring at each stage and several different ways to approach each one.

Sometimes, dice-roll judgments like those in TRPGs come into play. Even with the same choice in the same event, results ranging from “major failure” to “great success” can alter the outcome further. Your preferred solutions depend on your character’s abilities.

● Tense and rewarding combat
This game fuses tactical depth of command-based battles with the action intensity of QTEs to deliver thrilling and satisfying fights.

Gooshu gains strength to face formidable foes, but originally he was a weak rabbit-human—taking a direct hit from an enemy’s lethal attack would still mean death. Thus, avoiding powerful attacks, blocking effectively, and preventing clean hits are crucial in battle. To succeed, you must not just react instinctively; instead, analyze your opponent’s patterns across three actions per turn to strategically plan your combat approach.

Especially against tough enemies, the game is designed so that overcoming life-or-death tension brings a strong sense of accomplishment. For players who find combat difficult, an Easy Mode option is available.

● Combat style changes based on how you strengthen
In this game, you can freely enhance stats using “curse power” obtained by touching death. Particularly in skill development, the way you strengthen your character drastically affects how you approach battles:

Sword Saint: Unleashes powerful techniques that grow stronger the more you avoid enemy attacks.
Wizard: Masters various magical effects with many openings for creative use.
Magical Swordsman: Applies magic-based follow-up attacks to physical strikes, enabling relentless combos.
Cursed Warrior: Grows stronger by spilling blood and specializes in enduring enemy assaults.

Product Overview
Title: The Use of Life
Official Website: https://playism.com/game/the-use-of-life/
Trailer: https://youtu.be/gvBPYmHnsLo
Genre: Gamebook-style Multi-Ending RPG
Distribution Platform: Steam
Steam Store Page: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1483370/
Official Release Date: November 26, 2025
※ Early Access has been ongoing since May 21, 2022
Price: 2,380 yen (tax included)
Supported Languages: Japanese / English / Simplified Chinese / Traditional Chinese
Developer: daraneko games
Publisher: PLAYISM
Copyright Notice: c Daraneko Games All rights reserved. Licensed to and published by Active Gaming Media Inc.