《暮色索引：祇園》（Dusk Index: Gion / ダスク インデックス：ギオン）是由《Tokyo Dark》製作團隊Cherrymochi與日本遊戲公司mebius.聯手打造的懸疑視覺小說，由Bushiroad Games發行，預定於2026年1月29日在PlayStation 5、Xbox Series、Nintendo Switch、以及 PC（Steam）平台全球同步推出。支援日文與英文語音與字幕，主打結合AR擴增實境技術與跨越百年的時間錯置懸疑劇情，被譽為新世代最具電影感的推理作品之一。

故事以日本京都為舞台，分為明治時代與現代兩個時間軸交錯進行。明治年間的京都正處於社會動盪之中，城市連續發生多起駭人聽聞的殺人事件，死者的血跡上刻有奇異的圖紋，案件在當時震撼全國，卻最終成為懸案。百年之後的現代京都，再度出現了與當年極為相似的殺人現場，刑警桂木大樹在調查這起案件時，發現線索竟指向一款名為「京都回聲」（Echoes of Kyoto）的沉浸式AR互動系統。這款由天才工程師里奧・奎因所開發的系統，能透過高精密度的AR鏡片讓使用者進入重現百年前京都的虛擬空間，在那裡體驗古都的街巷、藝伎文化與舊時風貌。桂木與里奧決定進入這個系統中追查真相，卻逐漸發現，這場「虛擬體驗」似乎不只是模擬歷史，而是某種正在跨越現實界限的存在。

隨著調查深入，現代與過去的界線開始模糊。AR 所重現的古都似乎有著自己的「意識」，而百年前未解的命案也彷彿透過科技重新甦醒。桂木與里奧一邊在現代追查線索，一邊透過「京都回聲」進入虛擬的明治京都，在虛實交錯的空間中逐步揭露一個關於時間、記憶與死亡的秘密。故事的另一條線發生在明治時代的京都，年輕刑警長濱正義與祇園名伎咲一同調查那起令全城震驚的血腥事件。長濱身上承載著舊時武士的精神與新時代的理性，他對秩序與正義有著幾近執念的信仰，而咲則以其智慧與人脈成為他在花街黑暗裡的夥伴。

這部作品最吸引人的地方在於它的敘事結構。將在現代與明治兩個時空之間往返調查，隨著兩組偵探的推理交錯，逐漸揭開兩起命案之間的深層聯繫。遊戲採用視覺小說的形式進行，但不同於傳統的文字冒險遊戲，它在某些章節中引入類似擴增實境的互動模式，讓玩家以第一人稱的視角探索重建的京都場景。透過 AR 模擬的歷史空間，玩家能觀察細節、蒐集線索，並藉由不同的選項改變故事的發展方向。這種跨時空、多層敘事的結構使得每一個選擇都可能改寫過去或影響未來，強化了遊戲的心理懸疑張力。

在人物塑造方面，延續Cherrymochi在《Tokyo Dark》中擅長的人性描寫與灰色道德觀。桂木大樹雖是刑警，但內心飽受過去創傷折磨，對科技有著強烈排斥；他堅持使用一台老舊的 ARI 裝置，只憑直覺與人性判斷追查真相。里奧・奎因則是一位天才卻社交障礙的工程師，與外界疏離，只在數位空間中感到安全。明治篇的長濱正義象徵著舊世界的信念，而咲則代表女性智慧與時代轉型的力量。遊戲中還有一系列性格鮮明的配角，包括 AI 導覽員光、京都府警新人戶川與她可愛的AI夥伴「Suburi 酱」，他們共同構成一個科技與情感並行的舞台。

在美術與音樂方面，作品的氛圍極具特色。遊戲畫面採用寫實京都場景結合手繪立繪的風格，傳統町屋、花街霓虹與電子界面並置，營造出既古典又現代的視覺衝突。音樂由《Tokyo Dark》原班人馬創作，融合琴與電子音色，形成一種既懷舊又不安的聲響氛圍。整體視覺與聲音的呈現，都試圖將玩家帶入一個「記憶具象化」的京都，讓過去與未來在同一座城市重疊。

市場對這款作品的反應相當熱烈。從2025年東京電玩展首次曝光以來，受到業界與玩家高度關注。多家媒體評論指出，本作將日式懸疑AVG提升到新層次，尤其在AR敘事手法與時間交錯的表現上極具創新。許多玩家將其視為《Steins;Gate》與《Tokyo Dark》的精神結合體，期待它能以深刻劇情與多重結局延續日本視覺小說的文學質感。

《暮色索引：祇園》不僅是一部懸疑推理作品，更像是對「真實與記憶」的哲學探問。當虛擬重現的歷史開始擁有情感，當記錄成為真相的一部分，人類又如何分辨真偽？遊戲透過AR科技將「過去入侵未來」的命題具象化，讓玩家在破解命案的同時，也反思科技、歷史與人性之間的邊界。這種結合心理學與科技哲思的敘事手法，使《暮色索引：祇園》被譽為2026年最具深度與藝術感的視覺小說之一。

DUSK INDEX: GION is a new suspense visual novel jointly created by mebius and Cherrymochi, the studio behind Tokyo Dark, and published by Bushiroad Games. It is scheduled for release worldwide on January 29, 2026, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, Nintendo Switch, and PC (Steam), supporting both English and Japanese languages.

The story unfolds across two different eras in Kyoto — the Meiji period and the modern day — weaving a mysterious narrative that transcends time.

A hundred years ago, during the Meiji era, a series of gruesome murders shook Kyoto. The victims were found with strange patterns drawn in their blood, and despite a thorough investigation, the case was never solved. It became a dark legend that haunted the city’s history. In modern Kyoto, a century later, Detective Daiki Katsuki, a methodical investigator from the Special Division for Anomalous Crimes, encounters a new string of murders that mirror those of the past in uncanny detail.

The breakthrough in his investigation comes from an advanced AR (Augmented Reality) experience known as “Echoes of Kyoto.” Developed by the young prodigy Rio Quinn, this system allows users to experience an incredibly realistic recreation of Kyoto from 100 years ago through cutting-edge AR contact lenses. Many people are captivated by the nostalgia of this reconstructed city, but as Katsuki and Rio delve deeper, they discover unsettling links between the AR world and reality. The boundaries between simulation and the real world begin to blur, raising a chilling question: are these murders the work of a copycat, or is the past itself reaching into the present?

The game alternates between two time periods and two pairs of investigators. In the modern day, Daiki Katsuki joins forces with the eccentric engineer Rio Quinn, whose reclusive nature and love of technology contrast sharply with Katsuki’s traditional, analog approach to detective work. Katsuki refuses to embrace modern gadgets, preferring an outdated ARI (Augmented Reality Intelligence) device, while Rio communicates with her cat-shaped ARI companion, Galaxy, which she treats as a close friend.

Meanwhile, in Meiji-era Kyoto, Masayoshi Nagahama, a disciplined detective guided by samurai principles, investigates the original string of murders. He is assisted by Saki, a brilliant and graceful geisha whose charm conceals her sharp intellect and vast network of information across Gion’s entertainment district. Their investigation mirrors the one occurring a century later, gradually revealing how both timelines are mysteriously intertwined.

Supporting characters include Hikari, the cheerful AI guide of “Echoes of Kyoto,” who continuously evolves by interacting with users, and Togawa, a promising young police officer working under Katsuki, who wields confidence and compassion beyond her years. Her ARI companion, a baby anteater named Suburi-chan, adds a quirky yet mysterious charm to the team.

DUSK INDEX: GION combines psychological mystery, time travel, and advanced AR technology within the aesthetic beauty of Kyoto — blending the city’s traditional grace with futuristic visual design. Its narrative explores themes of memory, regret, and the inescapable bond between past and future.

Players will experience a richly atmospheric visual novel that balances historical intrigue and modern suspense. The immersive storytelling, detailed artwork, and haunting soundtrack create an emotional and cinematic experience. Critics and fans of Tokyo Dark have expressed anticipation for DUSK INDEX: GION, praising its ambition and the promise of a deeply layered mystery that connects two centuries of human emotion and technological wonder.

This title is expected to stand out in the visual novel genre, not only for its artistic presentation but also for how it redefines time-travel storytelling through the lens of augmented reality — inviting players to question how much of the past truly stays buried.