Nippon Ichi Software has announced Hayari Gami: Keishichou Kaii Jiken File for PlayStation 2. Unlike the company's previous PlayStation 2 projects La Pucelle, Disgaea and Phantom Brave, Hayari Gami is not a light-hearted strategy RPG, but rather an occult-themed horror adventure game. It is based on Toshi Densetsu (Urban Legends), a collection of bizarre gossip in modern society. As a detective at the police headquarters, the player uncovers various mysterious crime cases which are the content of the Toshi Densetsu. The story will unfold in four chapters. Among these are one case involving a chain mail whose author claims to have witnessed a serial killer, as well as another one involving serial killings at a senior high school. Hayari Gami however does not focus solely on the occult aspect highlighted in these stories, but also allows for solving crimes scientifically. The story is divided in two major outlines and based on the choices you make while playing through each of them, you will get to see a different ending.

To raise the game's fear factor, the development team is not only utilizing a standard horror adventure-style presentation, but also trying to re-produce the feeling of anxiousness of the various Toshi Densetsu. The game system will employ "mystery logic" (pick up key words and tie them together to solve the story's riddles), "self questions" (in certain intervals the protagonist will ask himself certain story-related questions and decide what steps he should take next) and "courage points" (a measure of choices during the course of the game). It will not only focus around bizarre gossip and ghost stories, but also include law, psychology and folklore-related vocabulary. Since understanding these words will enhance the story's depth for the player, the development team has implemented a database allowing the player to keep track of everything he or she is doing throughout the game.

We have also added a screen shot gallery for Hayari Gami, with the first update consisting of 18 new screens. Hayari Gami: Keishichou Kaii Jiken File will be available in Japan this summer.

• GameWatch