With Bandai Namco’s penchant for anime titles, one particular IP has evaded being ported into a video game for quite a while now. Most, if not all, lend themselves well to arena fighters, where Naruto, Jujutsu Kaisen, My Hero Academia, and Dragon Ball have been the staples.

For a series like Death Note, which wouldn’t really make sense as an arena fighter, one would think that maybe a supernatural/horror visual novel would work, but we certainly didn’t expect a social deduction game a la Among Us in the form of Death Note Killer Within.

Ahead of its launch, we got the chance to try out Death Note Killer Within, which was recently announced to seemingly no fanfare at all for such a well-known series. In the game, players will be split into 2 teams as they help their teams figure out each other’s identities to eliminate L as he threatens Kira’s power.

Death Note Killer Within Hands-on Preview

Death Note Killer Within offers a familiar experience for fans of Among Us, with players divided into two teams, ranging from 4 to 10 participants, to uncover identities and thwart the opposing team’s objectives. While the gameplay structure is similar, there are distinct thematic differences.

Team L is tasked with conducting investigations to ultimately identify Kira. This team consists of investigators who share gathered information to deduce Kira’s identity. L, blending in with the investigators, votes to arrest suspicious individuals and has access to special commands, such as setting up surveillance cameras.

Team Kira focuses on identifying L among the investigators and using the Death Note against him. Kira’s followers assist in locating L by completing specific tasks, while Kira himself delivers judgment upon discovering the true identities of the investigators or L.

The game features two phases: the Action Phase and the Meeting Phase. During the Action Phase, Kira’s team searches for and steals ID cards from Team L to uncover their identities. Followers then pass these cards to Kira, who uses them to identify L, the only way a player can be judged by the Death Note.

Team L is assigned various objectives, such as interviewing NPCs to obtain testimonials through analog stick actions or monitoring security cameras for suspicious activity. Completing these objectives fills a meter, which, when fully charged, can also lead to victory, aside from arresting Kira.

During my time as an investigator, I found it challenging to identify Kira’s followers. The only reliable indicator was a notification alerting me when they attempted to steal my ID, revealing their identity. Otherwise, it was nearly impossible to detect them until the next action phase.

I found playing as part of Team Kira in Death Note Killer Within more enjoyable. The thrill of snatching investigator ID cards without being caught was exhilarating. Kira and his followers can also pass the Death Note among themselves to mislead the investigators into voting for the wrong Kira, thereby protecting the real Kira for another round.

In the meeting phase, players can present evidence at critical moments. L would inquire about whose ID was taken, and fellow investigators could point out suspicious individuals. Once a vote is cast, an arrest is made, reducing the number of players. This phase requires strong social skills and deception to survive.

Initially, the game was confusing, but after a few rounds, it became clear. It took only 2-3 games to understand the roles and the impact of each action. Voice chat is highly recommended for Death Note Killer Within, as it facilitates communication during the meeting phase, where negotiations take place.

The art style of Death Note Killer Within is immediately recognizable. Instead of a traditional anime aesthetic, the game board features a chibi-style rendition, with players depicted as finger puppets executing the commands of Kira and L. These characters closely resemble Near’s finger puppets from the anime.

One particularly enjoyable aspect of Death Note Killer Within is the use of the Death Note. When activated, a death animation plays, ranging from being run over by a truck to other absurd scenarios, eliminating the targeted player. This feature adds a fun element to the game and was a highlight during our playthrough, as we eagerly anticipated each new sequence.

Players can also customize various aspects of their board avatars using items gained from simply playing the game. A battle pass with a free and premium track will be available, providing players with various in-game rewards. The full rewards are unknown, but from what we saw, avatar items can be obtained from here, along with other items that can be used in the game.

It’s important to note that our experience with Death Note Killer Within was limited, playing in groups of 4 (2v2). This setup made the objectives feel less impactful, and the excitement of uncovering identities was diminished due to the small number of players. The true chaos and thrill of the game will likely be more evident in a full 10-player match, so the final judgment will have to wait until the full game is released. Cross-play support between PS4, PS5, and PC players is supported for Death Note Killer Within.

This social deduction concept is well-suited for Death Note Killer Within, offering a refreshing alternative to generic arena fighters. While it remains to be seen how larger groups will engage with the game and if its systems play into its longevity, the strong and recognizable IP of Death Note may be enough to keep players coming back.

In any case, we’ll find out soon enough as the game launches alongside a day one PS Plus release.

Death Note Killer Within is scheduled to launch on November 5 for PS4, PS5, and PC via Steam.