The Headliners: Monster Photography Game Set in Monster-Infested NYC
The Headliners, a cooperative photography action game developed by KAFI, has players taking on the role of journalists documenting dangerous creatures in a monster-infested New York City. Since January 30, 2025, unidentified creatures have been terrorizing the city, ranging from 1.7-meter humanoid entities to over 20-meter dinosaur-like beasts. These aggressive monsters actively hunt humans, with military forces unable to contain them. The game presents a fictional scenario where players must capture photographic evidence of these creatures while surviving in a city where even staying indoors offers no guarantee of safety.
Players work alone or in teams of up to four, equipped with cameras and flashlights to document the creatures. According to in-game journalist Log Kawai, “If dying means getting a headline, it’s cheap.” The game features permadeath mechanics where failing three assignments results in losing press credentials. Kawai has reportedly died multiple times during assignments, being eaten by giant monsters or caught in smaller creatures’ explosions, stating he’s “gotten used to it” from repeated deaths. The game simulates a cycle where wiped-out teams respawn without their equipment and must start over.
The fictional AMASS-ON company dominates the in-game equipment market, offering free cameras capable of ten shots each and selling professional, zoom, and SD card-equipped cameras for $100 each. The company also sells bags for carrying more equipment, helmets, and boots for protection. Orders arrive instantly after purchase, creating a convenient supply chain for journalists risking their lives. While the current product lineup isn’t extensive, experts predict new items will be added if sales continue strong, capitalizing on the monster crisis.
The Headliners launched on January 30, 2025, for PC platforms at a price of ¥920 (~$6.50). The game falls into the action genre with cooperative photography mechanics where players must balance getting close enough for high-quality photos while avoiding deadly encounters. Different New York districts feature varying monster danger levels, from the initial Arthur Square outbreak zone to commercial areas like Little Plaza and Chinatown. The game presents a unique blend of survival horror and photography simulation that challenges players to document the crisis while managing limited resources and facing permadeath consequences. This unusual premise offers a fresh take on cooperative gaming for those seeking something beyond traditional combat-focused experiences.
