Buddinpals (2018)

Developer: Dungeonation
Platforms: Windows
Genres: Casual, Indie, Strategy
Rating: 4.2 of 5, 12 player ratings
Typical playtime: about 1.6 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 cute and casual virtual pet game with playful minigames that hides a subtle layer of spookiness beneath its cozy surface.

casuallightheartedcutewhimsicalspookypartyrelaxedplayful

What players say

Players praise the cute art, catchy soundtrack, and addictive loop, noting the game has scary moments and a mysterious twist on the virtual-pet formula. Some report a game-breaking code error around day 15 that requires a refund, though others say the dev addressed crashes.

Screenshots

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.