The in-game promo poster for the new game mode, Cryptic Notes.

Considering how tantalizing the lore implications hidden within Cryptic Notes are, I decided to take a peek into what exactly they had in store for this new game mode. The IDV Team especially seemed to be making sure to do their most at promoting Cryptic Notes in ways I haven’t seen them do before only increasing curiosity and anticipation.

From live-action cosplays within Cryptic Note’s settings to livestreams showing Japanese players go through a real life manor avoiding monsters and collecting treasure, there’s no doubt how big they want this new mode to be.

There even seems to be an upcoming Nijisanji collaboration with Identity V to showcase Cryptic Notes further. More details will be revealed later. Credit: Identity V Official Japanese Twitter.

So then, does the new game mode live up to the hype the dev team is trying to build up? In short, I’d say, yes. I’ve been quite enjoying the new game mode despite not yet engaging with IDV in the normal 1 v 4 game mode just yet.

But how does Cryptic Notes work and how does it tie into the lore? I shall tell you and hope this helps those who have yet to try the mode themselves.

A Bringer of Doom: The Story of Winston Manor

Opening cutscene featuring Alice that plays when one first accesses the game mode. Unfortunately I didn’t know one would play so it got cut off, but I recorded most of it.

What I want to stress about Cryptic Notes is the lore aspect. Yes, as I’ve heard some say, the game mode plays like REPO or Lethal Company (especially when you play with friends), but the clues you uncover piece together a story that feels uniquely like Identity V. Actually, perhaps it is not all too unique because many aspects of the current season’s story are quite familiar.

As you play and finish quests, you gain little tidbits of lore about what occurred at Winston Manor.

The story of Winston Manor is very similar to what happened to Alice and “Orpheus” in the main storyline. A Mr. Arthur Winston, his wife Isabella Winston, and their child Jules Winston were killed by bandits on the night of October 22nd, 1863. It is further revealed that Arthur Winston apparently knew something evil was afoot and even barricaded the manor off to no avail.

A portrait of the Winston Family. Interestingly, there is a fourth figure present but no official reports mention such a figure. “The ending remains unwritten,” an ominous note that pops up when you get closer to the portrait.

Interestingly, Oletus Manor was referred to as Winston Manor in the 2nd anniversary package which held lore for multiple maps and locations in the game.

And I’m sure many of you already know the title of this season, “A Bringer of Doom,” is a title related to Alice who has been called as such and similar unfortunate terms. It’s clear this season is focused on unlocking the hidden truths behind Winston Manor in order to understand even more of the remaining mysterious lingering behind Oletus Manor’s own unfortunate history.

I want to pause here because as I explored Winston Manor, it’s awfully clear how much Oletus Manor was an inspiration for “Orpheus” in writing this story.

The frog from the indoor garden (I can only think of The Closing Night when I see this little guy and his golden ball).

This oil painting of Persephone which we saw in Cage of Yesteryear in Melly’s room.

Just adding this one here because it was kinda eerie seeing it as Alice.

And from the livestream earlier this month, we learned that the IDV team will not only explore allegories tied to the main story, but essence stories as well. There is already speculation that essences for characters like Cheerleader, Entomologist, and Hermit may be explored in the future based on the book titles listed in Cryptic Notes (credit: idvlogic).

From a recent promotional video for Cryptic Notes from the Identity V Japanese Twitter account. The books shown here, “The Melting Snow Country,” “Blossom of Sin,” “Doomed Maiden,” and “Phosphorescence” are possible stories players will explore in future seasons.

Granted, “Doomed Maiden” feels like it’s another reference to Alice. The titles of the books shown here are a little different to the ones listed in game:

And for those curious on what the paper showing the Muse Symbol says, they also show it off in the video:

Another enigmatic statement hinting at endings the remain unwritten and reshapable.

The one looking through all these books during her investigation of the manor is Alice, of course, for those wondering.

I’m really looking forward to what other stories they will cook up in this mode as I’ve really liked unlocking more clues about Winston Manor’s story. I’m especially happy that they’re also looking into not only including but expanding on past essence stories. A lot of essence stories truly feel as if they definitely need more than the 1 to 2 minute trailers we get because clearly there are more ideas to share and explore in these AUs.

Naturally though, I worry about the art and writing quota that must be met to capture such grand ideas and implement them in satisfactory ways (for the top brass). However, considering that this season isn’t ending until October 29th, I believe they’re giving themselves time to not add unnecessary stress.

But with all that said and done, how does the actual game play out?

Cryptic Notes Breakdown

This is the interface of Cryptic Notes which you will quickly get comfortable with. Quite fittingly, your character is seated within the hidden room of Oletus Manor.

This room is where you will do all you preparation before you head into Winston Manor to look for treasure and battle monsters (or anomalies as the game calls them).

On the bottom left of the screen, you will see Shop, Backpack, and whatever role you’ve picked for your character. Currently, I had Emil as a “Sage” but there are two other roles you can pick.

For now, under the “Shop” label: you can shop for items and goods needed to explore the manor.

The interface of the store. This place is your bread and butter offering ways to explore Winston Manor with ease. Items you purchase here will automatically be added to your backpack.

The shop is divided into different categories as you can see above. Offensive are your weapons such as “Protector’s Cane” and “Forgotten Faith” and yes, you can basically also wield a flamethrower and/or shotgun if you want.

Exploration is self-explanatory. The “lantern”Lantern” may be your item of choice at the beginning. Obviously exploring a creepy manor at night can’t be possibly with something to light the way but “Eye of Lies” is also a fair choice. Support holds items that help in battle such as the “Prayer Bell” which can save you from a fatal blow or the “Mint Box” which can help give you more stamina and give you movement speed.

Recently Sold just lists show what you just sold to the store which is pertinent to buying items in the store because you can lose them. If you venture into the manor and fail to leave in time, don’t reach your exploration goal or lose all your health, then you will lose all your items and the treasures you collected and will have to reorganize yourself to start again.

And yes, there is a time limit to your exploration.

Notice the “Countdown” at the top of the image? At this time, I still had about 9 minutes to explore. The game gives you 12 minutes to explore and return to the exit.

But going back to roles which is next to your Store and Backpack, what do they entail? Quickest explanation would be just to show you:

Survivors have three classes to choose from: Sage, Herald, and Trailblazer. To put it simply, think of Sage as your explorer being able to find treasures more easily and detect anamolies. Heralds are the medics who heal faster and can even revive teammates. While the Trailblazers are your fighters who have more prowess and strength than the other two roles.

As of right now, I’ve really enjoyed playing the Sage since I play solo and still don’t know treasures spawns well. However, I’m thinking as I get into harder modes, I will have to rethink that and possibly pick either Herald or Trailblazer.

Speaking of modes, let’s get into the actual gameplay.

When you click or tap on “A Bringer of Doom” image just above the “Start” button, you will be able to pick and choose your difficulty level. You will also see what anomalies you may encounter along with the treasures waiting to be found. Choose at your comfort level.

Though I was surprised to see that Cryptic Notes actually as a Ranked Mode. Since I play solo, I found little difference in how the game played out besides the fact I would gain or lose points to my tier depending on my performance. I would guess playing with others has a bit more stakes so naturally you can assume everyone would play a little more seriously (you’d hope, at least).

And I must say, the tier badges for Cryptic Notes are quite to my liking.

From Tier 1 to Peak Tier:

The woman in the badge resembles Alice pretty strongly. I’d also like to believe it’s her not just because of my bias but also because as seen in videos like the opening cutscene and the first teaser for the game mode shown during the COA IX livestream, Alice has been front and center.

I really can’t lie, but I really do love these rank badges more than normal rank.

Anyways, going back to the gameplay, it’s pretty straightforward. You enter the manor, look for treasures in order to fulfill the exploration goal, fight monsters along the way, and get out in time.

As you climb difficulty levels, you encounter even harder enemies and a bit more stress as you’re on a time crunch and need to find enough treasures to get out. It is important to note that your backpack can only hold 6 treasures at time so choose wisely. Thankfully, you can throw things out of it that you choose not to keep so don’t worry about nabbing items here and there if you’re worried you won’t be able to retrace your steps.

After you successfully bring back your treasures to your base in the game, you can offer them to a safe in exchange to “Reveal the Truth.” Thus, you have completed your manor run and with some nifty treasures you can sell for “Ink Trace” which is the currency you can use to purchase store items and some other goods.

This is where you spawn after pressing “Start.” You begin and end each round in this room where you can do some last minute prep such as repairing your items (like your lantern and syringe when they deplete) at the “Repair Box” or the briefcase in the first image and purchasing items last minute.

The portal within the door in the first image is where you go through to enter the grounds of Winston Manor. The “Sealing Cabinet” you see in front of Emil in the second image is where you offer your treasures on completion of your manor exploration.

And once you do, you will automatically be transported back to the lobby of Cryptic Notes to do it all over again if you wish to. I think that more or less wraps up the basics of what to expect in Cryptic Notes.

I didn’t talk much about the anomalies so apologies for that. I’m still learning on how to deal with them. I’d rather save talking about them in a guide post anyway which I’m not sure I’d do.

I do know with this little guy, you have to constantly pet them. If ignored too long they transform into a hulking mass of a sewn doll and will attack you. It’s a rather exhausting endeavor as it will follow you endlessly through opening chests and other monsters attacking you.

Yes, it turns into that in the poster above.

A Game Mode with Potential

Hopefully, it doesn’t really become a “flash in the pan.” As said on the livestream, they poured their hearts into this game mode.

Unlike their previous game modes like Enchanted Forest last year, it really seems like they are pushing Cryptic Notes to succeed in the long-term and it really shows. From implementing stories tied to the lore both for the main storyline and essences to including a rank system with rewards, I would say this mode feels at the very least very thought out and planned thoroughly.

There are even some things I haven’t even quite unlocked yet such as the “Classics” which I believe is where you can get rewards such as “Little Girl’s” B-costume and other goodies (in gacha fashion from what I’ve been hearing).

This post was to just serve as a “quick” first impressions post while providing basic information on how the game mode works. I apologize, but I’m not very great writing guides so even if I go further with this game mode and rise in the ranks, I’m not sure I’d be the right person to come to.

Regardless, I will once again reiterate how much I look forward to what other lore tidbits they add to this as a lore enthusiast. As for those who are playing IDV but haven’t tried out the mode, I would greatly implore you to do so. I wasn’t sure I’d enjoy it, but I certainly enjoyed it a bit too much in the last day or so.

Thanks for reading all this if you did and stay tuned for more updates on the game mode and other IDV related events and game modes in the future.