Released in 2020, Novena Diabolos gained significant popularity for its unique blend of occult elements, mystery-solving gameplay, and compelling female characters. Now, the developers are back, teasing a sequel and dropping a fresh gameplay trailer that details the upcoming title. This new entry shares the same universe as its predecessor and maintains the signature structure of combining mystery with eerie, supernatural elements.

H5DEV Games took to their official YouTube channel on December 3rd to unveil 'Project O.D (Occult Directive)'. As a direct successor to Novena Diabolos, the game shares the same world. It is described as an occult mystery investigation adventure, and the developers clarified that 'Occult Directive' is a working project title rather than the final official name.

Novena Diabolos followed a PD desperate for a scoop who becomes trapped in a remote rural village, forced to build relationships with five suspicious female characters to escape. Players had to explore the village to gather clues and information to identify the culprit. The identity of the culprit changed with each playthrough, leading to multiple possible endings, and the interactions with the female characters were also highly praised.

This atmosphere continues in the sequel, 'Project O.D'. Based on the footage, the narrative centers on tracking a serial killer who gruesomely slices open the mouths of their victims. The killer asks their targets if their mouth is 'pretty' before committing the deed, a clear nod to the famous 'Kuchisake-onna' (Slit-Mouthed Woman) urban legend.

The protagonist explores various locations to meet different characters and gather information. There are also puzzle elements involving finding and using hidden items. Additionally, players can grow the protagonist's stats through activities like exercise and study, and the game features parodies of real-world Korean locations, such as Sol-idan-gil. Encounters with ghosts, which add to the occult atmosphere, were also showcased.

Meanwhile, H5DEV Games will showcase a playable demo of 'Project O.D' for the first time at the 'BieberRocks' indie game event, held at the Dongdaemun Design Plaza from December 5th to 7th. Attendees can experience the core content firsthand with a 30-minute to 1-hour demo, and visitors will receive two limited-edition art postcards and a game leaflet.