Zombie Police: Midsummer Unhappy New Year will bring its mix of comedy, supernatural mystery, and visual novel storytelling to PC via Steam on November 22, 2026, with a Nintendo Switch version planned for a later date. Developed by Kyoto-based independent studio Lobstudio Inc., the single-player game follows an eccentric undead detective investigating disturbing events in a frozen village.
The game combines traditional investigation mechanics with supernatural abilities, giving players an unusual approach to questioning suspects, examining evidence, and uncovering secrets.
A Supernatural Mystery Unfolds in Shimofuri Village
Players step into the role of zombie detective Akemi Kabane, who has an unusual ability to uncover truths hidden from ordinary investigators. She works alongside the fearless Detective Zomby and the serious-minded Yasu Tamura.
Their investigation centers on a VTuber connected to a horrific incident and a supernatural threat that could leave Shimofuri Village and its residents permanently frozen.
The mystery gradually exposes the village’s troubled past as players interview suspects, investigate objects, and gather evidence.
Zombie Dive Reveals Hidden Clues
A major gameplay mechanic is Akemi’s Zombie Dive ability. The power allows her to dive into both people and objects to discover information that cannot normally be seen.
Players can use Zombie Dive to investigate suspects’ hidden secrets and motives while also examining seemingly ordinary objects for important evidence. Items ranging from museum displays to beetles can potentially contain clues needed to advance the case.
Interviews and Evidence Drive the Investigation
Information uncovered through Zombie Dive can be combined with testimony gathered during interviews.
Players will update Yasu’s investigative journal as the case progresses, collecting evidence and statements needed to piece together what happened in Shimofuri Village.
The game blends these investigative mechanics with visual novel storytelling, allowing character interactions and narrative developments to play a central role in the experience.
Comedy and Darker Themes Share the Spotlight
Zombie Police: Midsummer Unhappy New Year mixes eccentric comedy with more serious events. While its undead protagonist allows for unusual situations, the story also explores tragedy and higher-stakes mysteries.
Akemi’s status as a zombie creates gameplay possibilities that would be impossible for a conventional detective. She can drink poison to test a theory, spend the night inside a freezer, or even remove her own head without the consequences a living investigator would face.
The cast includes characters with different personalities, motivations, and individual storylines, with Akemi’s interactions with Detective Zomby, Yasu Tamura, and the residents of Shimofuri Village shaping the investigation.
Lobstudio Explores Tradition and Changing Values
Lobstudio Inc. CEO Tsuyoshi Manabe said the story is designed to examine the tension between established traditions and newer perspectives.
“Zombie Police is ultimately a game about older traditions versus newer values and ways of life,” Manabe said. “I wanted to make a game that explores these ideas while also providing fun characters and fun investigation-inspired gameplay mixed with a visual novel. I hope fans of games like the Ace Attorney games, Danganronpa, and PARANORMASIGHT find inspiration and fun with Zombie Police!”
Zombie Police Release Date and Price
Zombie Police: Midsummer Unhappy New Year is scheduled to launch on PC via Steam on November 22, 2026, priced at $10.99 in the United States. The Nintendo Switch edition is planned for a later date.
Lobstudio Inc. was founded in Kyoto, Japan, on February 22, 2024. The independent developer focuses primarily on short- to mid-length games built around distinctive themes and concepts, often drawing inspiration from Japanese culture, local environments, subcultures, and everyday life.
With its combination of supernatural detective abilities, visual novel storytelling, unusual characters, and a mystery surrounding a village trapped by an unnatural freeze, Zombie Police: Midsummer Unhappy New Year offers a distinctive take on the investigation game format.
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