Shibito Magire

### Release Dates

**PlayStation 4 version**December 1, 2022 (JP)2023 (WW)**Nintendo Switch version**

Dectember 1, 2022 (JP)2023 (WW)**Microsoft Windows version**

2023 (WW)

### Platforms

PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Windows

***Shinigami: Shibito Magire*** (死噛: シビトマギレ), also known as ***Spirit Hunter: Death Mark II*** in the west, is the third game in the Spirit Hunter series. It was released on December 1st, 2022 in Japan by Experience Inc for PlayStation 4 and Switch. An English version distributed by Aksys Games is set to be released for PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch and Windows in Fall 2023.

## Synopsis

From the Campfire website:

*There’s a strange rumor circulating around the prestigious Konoehara Academy, located in Tokyo’s H City.*

*“Shibito sentences you to death”*

*It all started a few weeks ago, when a student went missing. The day before their disappearance, a strange letter was posted on the school’s bulletin board. It read as follows:*

*Dear Ribbon,*

*Tonight, Hanako is going to kill you. I’ll be watching you from the confusion of the school.*

*Sincerely, Shibito*

*But when the police arrived, no one could find the letter. The student’s whereabouts are still unknown. And since then, more disturbing rumors have begun to spread.*

*"Hanako has to be that ghost haunting the school bathrooms.”*

*“The missing student must’ve been killed by Hanako!”*

*“Shibito might be someone in our school…”*

*Then, another message appeared. Shibito’s shadow foretells death, and more and more, unease continues to engulf the school…*

*And so, as summer comes to an end, a man arrives at Konoehara. Could this Shibito be a spirit? Or are they…*

## Development

Shinigami was initially slated to be released in the summer of 2021. However, the release was pushed back to March 2022, and again to September 2022. A livestream airing on July 1st, 2022 revealed the official cover art, as well as a new release date of December 1st, 2022. On February 2022, the game's current development was as follows:

* **Overall**: 60%
* **Programming**: 80%
* **Project Specifications**: 50%
* **Graphics**: 60%
* **Sound**: 90%
* **Initial Debugging**: 60%
* **Other (related to CF)**: 40%

Shinigami has a "Z" CERO rating in Japan. For comparison, both Death Mark and NG had "D" ratings (equivalent to the ESRB "M" rating). The Z rating is likely due to the inclusion of multiple explicit and gory CGs.

Shinigami was released as scheduled on December 1st, 2022 in Japan. A translated North American release through Aksys Games is currently slated for Fall 2023.

## Gameplay

Unlike Death Mark and NG, Shinigami strays from a strictly visual novel format and features third-person, side scrolling movement in some areas. Players can make the main character and a partner character walk, run, and interact with the environment in these sections. Points of light will appear on certain parts of the map, indicating the player can interact by walking over and choosing the appropriate command. Like in Death Mark and NG, certain points will allow you to use items in your inventory in conjunction with these map items to progress forward.

Shinigami also incorporates several RPG elements not seen in the previous games, including the ability to raise the main character's level and the ability to improve certain skills (strength, intelligence, dexterity, spirit power) through equipping items. Players will also take damage from spirit visions and jump scares and have a limited amount of health points. A "Game Over" will occur if these points reach zero.

Additionally, a new encounter mechanic called "Suspensive Act" replaces the "Live or Die" feature. In Shinigami, certain encounters will allow players to choose between several options in order to progress forward, with each option having a success rate percentage. These success rate percentages are non-fixed and are contingent upon both the main character's stats, as well as their current partner's stats. The final spirit encounters for each chapter appear to be more similar to NG's system.

Players in general will have a choice between two partners per chapter. Partners are mainly comprised of the cast from the first Death Mark game, but feature some new characters as well. Moe Watanabe and Yasuoka Towako return but now function as a "Shopkeeper" and can trade with the main character. The main character can gather certain items left by Shibito around the school and exchange them for these spiritual items. Gathering a certain amount of items will allow the player to level up.

## Trivia

* This is first game in the Spirit Hunter series without a Playstation Vita release, due to the system’s official discontinuation.

## Gallery

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## External Links

* Crowdfunding link (Japanese)
* Official trailer (fan translation)