The Virtual Buddy (2025)

Developer: TwinPaws
Platforms: Windows
Genres: Casual, Indie, Simulation, Early Access
Rating: 4.6 of 5, 13 player ratings
Typical playtime: about 2.0 hours
Where to get it: Steam

The 3D catalog: game boxes on wooden shelves, with the cat sitting at the counter next to its greeting.

The catalog in 3D

The same catalog has a room you can walk around in. The cat behind the counter is the AI Catbot, and they pick real games from it when you tell them what you feel like playing. Nothing is for sale, here or in there. Go in from here and this game is already out on the counter, with more like it waiting on the shelf next to it.

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How it feels

a gentle, low-stakes desktop companion that calmly co-exists with your work, asking for simple care and attention at its own pace.

casualrelaxingcozylightheartedinteractivelow-pressureattention-seekingcompanionship

What players say

Players enjoy having a cute digital pet on their desktop and playing pranks on friends, but some find the early access content thin, especially with only 10 item drops per day.

More games like this

This page is from Underplayed Gems, a catalog of older and overlooked games. Not quite it? You can browse by platform and genre, or take this one into the 3D catalog and ask the Catbot for something closer.