Growing Up (2021)

Developer: Vile Monarch
Publisher: Vile Monarch, Spiral Up Games
Platforms: Windows, macOS
Genres: Adventure, Casual, Indie, RPG, Simulation, Strategy
Rating: 4.4 of 5, 3,665 player ratings
Typical playtime: about 13 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, reflective journey through childhood and parenthood where every decision shapes your relationships and future.

coming of ageemotionalchoices matterrelaxedlife simnostalgiccutestory rich

What players say

Players praise the number of distinct character stories and how each lifetime feels different, though many wish the game continued past high school into adulthood. The brain map skill system is simple and relaxing, but some find it repetitive after a few runs.

Screenshots

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More by Vile Monarch

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.