House of Rules (2021)

Developer: Chii the Cat
Genres: Adventure, Indie
Rating: 4.5 of 5, 171 player ratings
Typical playtime: about 5.4 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

You methodically solve puzzles by following cryptic rules in a top-down pixel mansion, uncovering a dark mystery with each grid-based step.

pixel graphicsatmosphericdarkpsychological horrorpuzzlegrid-basedretromystery

What players say

Players praise the all-female cast and atmosphere, but are split on the later story, some call it satisfying, others say it turns into misery for its women. Chase sequences frustrate many, and the limit of three save slots is a common complaint.

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.