Playing "Depth Loop," a werewolf adventure by Ishii Jirou, featuring numerous thoughtful specifications such as memo functions [TGS2025]
Note: the original Japanese article can be found at:
https://www.4gamer.net/games/841/G084114/20250927062/
Editorial Department: Hayashi Yosuke | 2025/09/28 02:28 (UTC)
At the KEMCO booth during Tokyo Game Show 2025, the adventure game “Depth Loop”, scheduled for release in spring 2026, is available for playable demo. The game will be released on PC / Nintendo Switch 2 / PS5 / Nintendo Switch / PS4.
This game is developed under license from the popular live theater series “Wolf: The Live Playing Theater,” specifically its “DEPTH” franchise. Set in a deep-sea facility called “Mag Mel”—the last hope for humanity on the brink of extinction due to pandemic—the story centers around brilliant scientists forced into a werewolf-style social deduction game, where they must distrust one another.
What stands out is that Jirou Ishii, renowned creator behind acclaimed adventure games such as 428: Shibuya Scramble and Time Travellers, is involved in the development of this title. He’s also widely recognized as a highly skilled werewolf player.
Given his deep familiarity with both adventure games and werewolf gameplay, there are many intriguing aspects to explore. Here’s our firsthand report on how it plays.
In this game, the story branches depending on the outcome of the werewolf game—but at the TGS booth, we were presented with a version that focused solely on the werewolf gameplay segment. After waking up in Mag Mel, players immediately transition into the werewolf scenario.
The one who initiates and guides the session is Sammy Thumbnail image for Gallery No. 003: Playing “Depth Loop,” a werewolf adventure created by Ishii Jirou. Features numerous thoughtful design elements like memo functions ［TGS2025］
The game features 13 participants: 6 humans, 3 werewolves, 1 medium, 1 seer, 1 hunter, and 1 madman.
Once gathered, each player introduces themselves while declaring their innocence as a werewolf—marking the official start of the game.
While initial introductions provide some character traits—such as background and speech patterns—it’s difficult to remember everything at first glance. To help, the game includes a character data screen.
On this screen, players can record their own hypotheses about each person’s identity, using icons such as “Human” or “Werewolf.” Additionally, it displays whether a character has revealed their role (come out), and whether they are currently alive—or have been expelled from the game.
Notes and coming-out information appear during conversations Thumbnail image for Gallery No. 006: Playing “Depth Loop,” a werewolf adventure created by Ishii Jirou. Features numerous thoughtful design elements like memo functions ［TGS2025］
In addition to character data, the game provides dedicated screens for reviewing past voting records and reports from the seer or medium—making these tools essential during deduction.
During werewolf games, reacting emotionally—believing or doubting others’ statements—is crucial. In this title, players can express their level of confidence: “Believe,” “Strongly believe,” “Doubt,” or “Strongly doubt.”
While some digital werewolf games feature simultaneous voting, here players can choose their own timing. This allows you to observe who others are voting for—adding another layer of strategy.
However, in standard werewolf theory, delayed voters tend to be viewed with suspicion and may be seen as potential werewolves, so this is something to keep in mind.
In our actual demo session, I hesitated too long on whom to vote for and repeatedly cast late votes—leading to my swift expulsion. Since this was a Tokyo Game Show version designed for newcomers who might not know the rules, I assumed “there’s no real elimination or killing” — but clearly, that assumption was wrong.
Still, the demo didn’t end there—the game continued until a winner was determined. Although players can’t speak or vote anymore after being expelled, they can still continue reasoning and deducing—making this an excellent feature for beginners aiming to improve their skills.
During this demo, we could clearly feel the many thoughtful design choices regarding werewolf gameplay—such as the memo function and flexible voting timing. Still, one key point remains: how exactly does the story change based on different outcomes of the werewolf game?
We’ll be publishing an interview with Jirou Ishii covering these aspects shortly—so stay tuned.