Chinese Parents

About

"Chinese Parents" is a simulation game where players manage a Chinese household and guide their child's education and upbringing. The game follows the child's growth from elementary school to college admission, with a focus on traditional Chinese parenting values and sacrifices made for academic success. Players must balance resources, make educational decisions, and maintain family relationships to ensure their child's prosperity.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

93%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,574 reviews

gameplay29 positive mentions

grinding20 negative mentions

The game provides a humorous and relatable insight into the pressures of growing up in a Chinese household.
Gameplay is addictive with a unique generational mechanic that allows players to carry over traits and skills to future characters.
The art style and cultural references add charm and depth, making it enjoyable for both Chinese and non-Chinese players.

The game can become repetitive after a few generations, with limited variation in events and dialogue.
There are several bugs and translation issues that can hinder the gameplay experience.
The dating mechanics are unbalanced, making it significantly easier for female characters to form relationships compared to male characters.

gameplay
105 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
28%
64%
9%
The gameplay is characterized by a simple yet addictive loop that combines elements of life simulation and strategy, allowing players to guide characters through various life stages while managing skills and relationships. While many find the mechanics engaging and the generational progression rewarding, some reviewers note that the gameplay can become repetitive over time, with a lack of depth in certain areas. Overall, it offers a casual experience with a unique cultural perspective, though it may not appeal to those seeking more complex gameplay.
- “The gameplay is addictive, the progression is deep and engaging with countless branches, and the comedic factor is on point.”
- “An incredibly addictive simulation game with charming characters, simple yet challenging gameplay, and plenty of humor and references to go around!”
- “Each run is always a little different, because of generational skill enhancements, family income differences, and learning the mechanics or taking a different route in a new playthrough, giving hours of additional gameplay to be had.”
- “Gameplay-wise, it’s basically Minesweeper meets one-dimensional match-3, with some story events sprinkled in.”
- “The gameplay is very simple, so don't expect any challenging puzzles if that's what you want.”
- “The gameplay is poor; the game is a simple grind similar to bad mobile games.”
humor
69 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is widely praised for its relatability and charm, particularly among players with a Chinese background, as it cleverly captures the nuances of growing up with strict parental expectations. Many reviews highlight the game's ability to blend humor with deeper cultural insights, making it both entertaining and thought-provoking. While some players note occasional confusion in gameplay and minor technical issues, the overall comedic experience is deemed enjoyable and addictive.
- “On-point, true to growing up with Chinese parents, very cathartic and funny.”
- “It's a fun look at being raised the Chinese way, as well as being an implicit hilarious criticism of some of the more over-the-top issues that come up.”
- “The game has kept both me and my wife laughing for quite a while now.”
story
46 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
13%
80%
7%
The game's story is often described as minimal and somewhat repetitive, with a focus on gameplay mechanics rather than a deep narrative. While some players appreciate the relatable themes and character backstories, particularly in the context of Chinese culture, many feel that the storytelling lacks depth and variety, leading to a less engaging experience over multiple playthroughs. Overall, the game offers occasional humorous moments and unique character arcs, but it could benefit from a more substantial and varied storyline.
- “Very enjoyable and will entertain you for hours on end if you find the story relatable and enjoy simulation and visual novel type games.”
- “Each job/occupation has its own unique storyline and each spouse you can take on has their own unique story line.”
- “I really like the story-rich part of the game, it really makes me remember my time growing up, definitely recommended.”
- “Not really any real storyline and the game passes at a very slow pace too.”
- “Much more gameplay rather than story focused.”
- “The story is okay the first playthrough, but is simply the same over and over again, and you are forced to do multiple playthroughs if you want to have a successful character.”
replayability
43 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
49%
44%
7%
The game boasts high replayability, primarily due to its multiple endings, generational mechanics, and a variety of minigames that keep the experience fresh. Players appreciate the ability to explore different routes and unlock traits, making each playthrough feel unique, although some note that it can become repetitive after several generations. Overall, the replay value is considered substantial, especially for those who enjoy experimenting with different gameplay styles and outcomes.
- “With so many endings to collect, this game has a very high replay value.”
- “The gameplay also by its nature provides itself a high degree of replayability, even offering the player the option to go on to the next generation as a member of that family, affecting outcomes based on your last game and what your previous character was good at.”
- “I sincerely and highly recommend it, the replay value is nuts.”
- “My biggest issue with the game is that while it is replayable, it is also far too redundant.”
- “Would like to see a lot more diversity/modding to increase replayability.”
- “The gameplay differences between the male and female children are minor, but enough to allow for even more replay value.”
graphics
34 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
41%
50%
9%
The graphics of the game are characterized by a charming and quirky 2D art style that many players find appealing, despite its simplicity and occasional inconsistency. While some reviews note that the graphics may not be technically impressive, they contribute to the game's overall fun and engaging atmosphere. Improvements have been made over time, enhancing character designs and visual elements, but there are still calls for more customization options and stability in the art style.
- “The game uses simple 2D graphics that are charming and easy on the eyes.”
- “The soundtrack, the colors, and the art style is a spectacular mix and fits really well together, making a well-rounded game that you can and want to play for generations!”
- “Super charming game with lots of funny graphics and witty lines.”
- “A half-decent English translation, confused art styles, and a lack of guidance/explanation for mechanics outside the gem fragment mini-game make for a poor showing.”
- “However, the graphics are obviously drawn but the creators who, how can I put this mildly, are not very good at drawing.”
- “The graphics involve a lot of memes and weirdness that repeats itself, so expect yourself to do a lot of text-skipping, especially from the 4th or 5th generation since the main plot doesn't change no matter the choices.”
music
26 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
31%
58%
12%
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players appreciating its cute and relaxing qualities that enhance the emotional depth of the experience, while others find it repetitive and not particularly strong, leading them to mute it during gameplay. Overall, the soundtrack is described as pleasant and fitting for the game's atmosphere, though it may not be memorable enough to stand out after extended play.
- “The soundtrack complements the overall feel of the game, adding depth to the emotional moments.”
- “The sound design is an absolute gem, featuring a music score loaded with character and personality, and tactile UI interaction sounds that make the game pleasing to interact with on an essential level.”
- “I loved the music, overall attitude, and art.”
- “Also, the music made me tired.”
- “Music: 5/10 (not its strong point and I muted it on my 4th or 5th playthrough)”
- “The only thing that gets a bit old after several hours is the music but besides that.”
grinding
22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
5%
5%
91%
The grinding aspect of the game is widely criticized for being tedious and repetitive, particularly due to slow UI and the inability to skip previously seen dialogue, which exacerbates the grind. While some players find satisfaction in the extensive grinding required for completion, many agree that it becomes excessively monotonous after a few playthroughs, making it less enjoyable for those who prefer a more casual experience. Overall, the game is best suited for players who appreciate grinding, as it can feel like a chore for others.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “The UI isn't that fluid, so it's pretty slow and you can't skip/block all dialogue that you've seen. You must click through, and the text doesn't have an 'instant' option, which makes it tedious and repetitive quite fast when you can't skip 'seen' text.”
- “It was fun at first, but after you get the hang of it, which probably takes about 2-3 playthroughs, approximately 5-6 hours, the game becomes extremely grindy and repetitive.”
- “Seriously, if you don't have the mindset to struggle through this kind of grinding, just stay away from this game, because it gets really repetitive really fast and you're constantly struggling to get your stats up to the point where you'll get a good ending.”
emotional
15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its ability to evoke deep feelings and reflections on parental relationships, particularly within the context of Asian culture. Players report experiencing a range of emotions, from laughter to heartbreak, as the game explores themes of childhood, expectations, and personal growth. The soundtrack and narrative elements enhance these emotional moments, making the experience both engaging and thought-provoking.
- “This game lowkey made me emotional; I think I kinda understand my father now.”
- “The soundtrack complements the overall feel of the game, adding depth to the emotional moments.”
- “Charming, funny, and heartbreaking real look at parental expectations.”
optimization
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
33%
50%
The game's optimization is mixed; while it offers a deep, strategic experience that rewards careful planning over multiple generations, players report significant bugs, slow performance, and repetitive gameplay when pursuing achievements. Additionally, some English translation errors and unoptimized elements detract from the overall experience, though it remains playable.
- “You have to balance your studies with leisure activities to make sure your parents are pleased with your performance while not getting too stressed.”
- “The game is buggy, slow, and repetitive for gaining all of the achievements (getting all traits takes a long time even with optimized play).”
- “In its current state, it has some English translation errors and a few unoptimized parts, but otherwise solid and playable.”
- “5 generations later, the power gaming is real and every move is optimized with no motion wasted.”
stability
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game suffers from significant stability issues, including frequent bugs, random freezes, and visual glitches, which can disrupt gameplay and lead to lost progress due to the lack of autosave functionality. While players can force quit without losing progress, the overall experience is marred by these technical shortcomings.
- “The game is buggy, slow, and repetitive for gaining all of the achievements (getting all traits takes a long time even with optimized play).”
- “After around 20 minutes of playing, the game seemingly freezes during the first writing exam.”
- “Game doesn't autosave; if your game freezes, your whole progress is down the drain.”
atmosphere
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
150%
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised, with users noting that it is the standout feature, complemented by smooth gameplay and a consistent tone.
- “The best part of this game is the atmosphere.”
- “Gameplay moves smoothly; the atmosphere and tone are solid.”
- “The atmosphere feels flat and uninspired, lacking the depth needed to immerse players.”
- “Despite the game's potential, the atmosphere is dull and fails to evoke any real emotion.”
- “The environment feels lifeless, making it hard to engage with the game's world.”
character development
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Players praise the game for its exceptional character development, noting that it creates a compelling and immersive experience that keeps them engaged. Many consider it a must-buy for fans of deep and meaningful character arcs.
- “Wow, outstanding! I've never gotten hooked on a game like this before. This is a must-buy if you enjoy character development.”
- “The character development in this game is incredibly deep and engaging, making every choice feel impactful.”
- “I love how the characters evolve throughout the story; their growth feels natural and rewarding.”
monetization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The monetization strategy of the game has been heavily criticized, with users likening it to exploitative practices found on dubious websites, suggesting a lack of genuine game design and creativity. Overall, the approach is viewed as a soulless attempt to profit rather than provide a quality gaming experience.
- “The monetization system feels exploitative, pushing players to spend money to enjoy basic features.”
- “It's frustrating to see a game that could be great turned into a cash grab with constant prompts to buy in-game currency.”
- “The pay-to-win mechanics ruin the experience, making it impossible to compete without spending real money.”