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I Wanna Be A Game Dev! Game Cover

About I Wanna Be A Game Dev!

I Wanna Be A Game Dev! is a single player casual role playing game with horror, romance, comedy and anime themes. It was developed by Lyko Studio and was released on November 22, 2024. It received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

Graduation is coming. In other words, everything that makes your life great is about to disappear. But that won't stop you from making the most of senior year! Does that mean making new friends (or lovers)? Buckling down on your passion project? Just chilling out? You decide!Features 15-20 hours of story content! Choose what to do after school, whether that be playing arcade games, hanging out…

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Looking for games like I Wanna Be A Game Dev!? Here are top casual role playing recommendations with a horror, romance, comedy and anime focus, selected from player-similarity data — start with Lucid9: Inciting Incident, Crystalline or Find Love or Die Trying.

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Reviews

98%Audience ScoreBased on 173 reviews
story24 positive mentions
grinding2 negative mentions

  • Engaging and well-written story with captivating character development and relatable themes about creativity, ambition, and growing up.
  • Unique blend of 2D character art and pixelated 3D exploration with charming and humorous dialogue that appeals to both visual novel fans and newcomers.
  • Enjoyable variety of minigames integrated into a life simulation structure, supporting meaningful progression and character relationships.
  • Frequent crashes and performance issues on some systems can disrupt the gameplay experience.
  • Some minigames are difficult to understand without instructions and lack accessibility options, such as colorblind modes or key remapping.
  • The story pacing is uneven for some players; the abrupt and heavy plot twist ending left mixed feelings and the cliffhanger is frustrating for those wanting resolution.
  • story

    93 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    26% positive mentions, 71% neutral mentions, 3% negative mentions

    The story is widely praised for its engaging, well-written narrative with strong character development and surprising plot twists, though some note its somewhat linear structure and abrupt ending leave players eager for more. Themes of creativity, self-worth, and relationships resonate deeply, enhanced by cohesive art and atmosphere. While still unfinished with a cliffhanger, the story captivates players and establishes a compelling foundation for future expansions.

    • “The game story was so immersive, fun, and well put together; at times it can be funny then shockingly unsettling in the span of a second.”
    • “The story is captivating, drawing you in with rich characters and intriguing plot twists.”
    • “While the plot itself is modest in scope, the themes it touches on—self-worth, perseverance, and the desire to create something meaningful—give it a broader resonance.”
    • “The only complaints I would have are the limited choices, especially regarding the outcome of a character's story, and that it felt like there was not enough time with each of the characters in a one-on-one setting.”
    • “Additionally, the narrative's relatively short length and somewhat abrupt conclusion may leave some players wishing for a more fully developed arc, as though the story ends just as it begins to fully explore its potential.”
    • “If they had just made it a story-driven RPG game that they were going for in the beginning instead of the crappy mystery that feels half-heartedly put together.”
  • music

    30 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    33% positive mentions, 57% neutral mentions, 10% negative mentions

    The music in the game is widely praised for its fitting and emotive soundtrack that complements the story, visuals, and gameplay, enhancing the overall experience. While some find the music catchy and memorable, a few note minor issues with timing in rhythm-based minigames and express a desire for more accessibility options and availability outside the game. Overall, the soundtrack effectively supports the game's mood and emotional beats, making it a standout aspect for many players.

    • “The soundtrack is just amazing, perfectly matching the overall theme and mood of the game, even reflecting key story moments like the finale when Chloe disappears.”
    • “The graphics, theme, lore, and soundtrack all complement each other, creating a really nice and immersive gaming experience.”
    • “The soundtrack is really good and catchy, with songs that stay in your head long after playing, making me definitely want to buy the OST.”
    • “Unfortunately, it seems that in the timing-based minigames like the music game creation and Streetz Fighter, the notes you're meant to hit tend to lag or speed up unpredictably, making them difficult to master without luck on your side.”
    • “If you don’t know jack about music, you have to guess.”
    • “This is evident during the finale, where [spoiler] after Chloe disappears, the game's soundtrack seems to be missing something, mirroring Chloe who was a big part of Neku's life.”
  • gameplay

    28 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    25% positive mentions, 64% neutral mentions, 11% negative mentions

    The gameplay combines visual novel storytelling with light life simulation and mini-games that involve skill management and deadlines, offering a simple yet engaging experience. While the mechanics are not deeply complex or branching, the charm comes from relatable characters, catchy music, and a personal narrative that resonates beyond gameplay itself. Fans of casual, character-driven visual novels with a touch of strategy will likely find it enjoyable.

    • “The gameplay is super fun; playing different minigames to improve different aspects of your game and managing multiple skills to meet deadlines and expectations was a lot more enjoyable than I expected. As a wannabe game developer, it's the characters that really spoke to me.”
    • “Despite having a very simple gameplay loop, I never found myself bored and instead wanted to learn more about each character.”
    • “I definitely enjoyed the UI and how you could see your progress on different story paths and the teleport mechanic.”
    • “The lack of branching paths or meaningful choices reduces replayability, and players looking for a more interactive or gameplay-heavy experience may find it lacking.”
    • “I got the game expecting psychological horror and I had 9 hours of normal visual novel gameplay, only for the ending to turn creepy.”
    • “The gameplay is a visual novel with light simulation mechanics.”
  • graphics

    24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    29% positive mentions, 58% neutral mentions, 13% negative mentions

    The game's graphics feature a charming blend of pixelated 2D and 3D art styles that complement its intimate and personal tone, creating a unique and cohesive aesthetic. While some find the low-resolution visuals pleasantly nostalgic and appealing, others note occasional issues with jagged edges or blurry backgrounds that can detract from the experience. Overall, the art style is widely praised for enhancing immersion and matching the story's atmosphere, despite some minor contrasts between character and overworld graphics.

    • “The after-school hours fully showcase the graphics of the game: a mix between the 2D/anime art style for the characters, and a very pixelated, hard-to-make-out-what's-in-the-distance look for the world, which surprisingly manages to not be jarring and gives the game a unique look.”
    • “The art style is extremely charming and I also really like the pixelated overworld graphics, although it does occasionally not contrast well with the character art, but that's not always the case in my opinion.”
    • “The pixel art visuals and straightforward interface reflect its indie origins, offering charm rather than technical sophistication.”
    • “I would have loved to get into this visual novel but the jagged edge and blurry graphics of surroundings hurt my eyes so much I couldn't even complete it for the achievements.”
    • “I figure that shouldn’t happen considering the simple-looking graphics.”
    • “The art style is extremely charming and I also really like the pixelated overworld graphics, although it does occasionally not contrast well with the character art.”
  • humor

    24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    100% positive mentions, 0% neutral mentions, 0% negative mentions

    The game's humor is consistently praised for its witty, relatable, and engaging dialogue, delivering both laugh-out-loud moments and poignant emotional beats. Characters exhibit unique, funny personalities with humor that cleverly references modern culture and niche in-jokes, enhancing the immersive story experience. Overall, the humor is a standout element that keeps players entertained and emotionally invested throughout.

    • “The humor in the game had me laughing more than any other game I've played recently.”
    • “Hilarious and witty dialogue; I don't think I've ever laughed as much playing any other game.”
    • “The dialogue is hilarious and self-aware and feels very realistic for a group of teenagers.”
  • emotional

    12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    100% positive mentions, 0% neutral mentions, 0% negative mentions

    The game delivers a heartfelt and authentic emotional experience, capturing the nuanced feelings tied to creative ambition and personal growth through quiet, character-driven moments. While praised for its relatable narrative and well-written characters, some players note a tonal shift towards unsettling, psychological elements near the end, adding complexity to the emotional journey. Overall, it is celebrated as a uniquely touching and emotionally resonant visual novel.

    • “Developed and published by Lyko Studio, this narrative-driven indie visual novel approaches game development not as a technical process, but as an emotional journey shaped by ambition, doubt, and persistence.”
    • “The emotional weight of the game comes not from dramatic events, but from quieter, character-driven moments that gradually reveal the protagonist’s growth.”
    • “The characters are beautifully fleshed out, the game design is absolutely heartwarming, and there isn't a moment of 'what do I do now?'.”
  • character development

    7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    57% positive mentions, 43% neutral mentions, 0% negative mentions

    Character development is praised for showing genuine growth, especially in Daniel, who evolves without losing his core identity. The characters are well-designed and distinct, with appealing visuals that complement the game's style. There is hope that the full game will further deepen character complexity beyond initial clichés.

    • “I love Daniel's character development and how he softens up.”
    • “Daniel goes through real character development, as he doesn't become another character, but instead learns to grow as a person.”
    • “I hope the full game builds upon them by introducing character development and depth to their characters outside of any cliches they may fit into.”
  • atmosphere

    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    100% positive mentions, 0% neutral mentions, 0% negative mentions

    The game's atmosphere is praised for its unique blend of 3D pixelated environments and 2D character cutouts, creating a distinct visual style. Players highlight the immersive and detailed settings, especially notable in snowy scenes like the train and cabin, which enhance the storytelling experience. Overall, the atmosphere is appreciated for its strong attention to detail and engaging vibes.

    • “I find the atmosphere to be very unique with the 3D pixelated environment and the 2D character cutouts.”
    • “I loved the atmospheric vibes in the train during the snow trip and the cabin in the snow trip.”
    • “This game is amazing in its storytelling; I haven't finished it yet, but so far it's been amazing. The way the characters are made as well as the atmosphere shows so much attention to detail.”
  • replayability

    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    50% positive mentions, 0% neutral mentions, 50% negative mentions

    Replayability is somewhat mixed, as the absence of branching paths or meaningful choices limits interactive variety, but the presence of missed stories offers incentive for multiple playthroughs. Players seeking more gameplay depth may find replay value lacking, while story-focused players can benefit from replaying to uncover additional content.

    • “Even if that's not the case, the missed stories could be played during another playthrough, which increases the replayability of the game.”
    • “The lack of branching paths or meaningful choices reduces replayability, and players looking for a more interactive or gameplay-heavy experience may find it lacking.”
  • grinding

    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    0% positive mentions, 0% neutral mentions, 100% negative mentions

    Grinding in the game is somewhat tedious and time-consuming, requiring significant effort, but it is manageable for players who are invested in the narrative and choices. Some users find it demanding, suggesting it can feel overwhelming without extra time or resources.

    • “It's just a little tedious and time-wasting more than anything, but as I take the narrative of a visual novel game very seriously, I also take the choices I can make in said games very seriously.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
  • optimization

    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    0% positive mentions, 0% neutral mentions, 100% negative mentions

    The game is somewhat demanding on CPU resources, utilizing around 50% of an R5 7600X, which may impact overall system performance. Optimization could be improved to reduce CPU usage.

    • “I have not yet finished the story, but all I can really complain about performance-wise is that this game really hogs CPU resources, using around 50% of my Ryzen 5 7600X.”
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Play Times

11h Median play time
11h Average play time
11-11h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 1 analyzed playthroughs
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Frequently Asked Questions

I Wanna Be A Game Dev! is a casual role playing game with horror, romance, comedy and anime themes. Common tags for I Wanna Be A Game Dev! include free to play, first-person, 3D, indie, psychological and others.

I Wanna Be A Game Dev! is available on PC, Mac OS and Windows.

On average players spend around 11 hours playing I Wanna Be A Game Dev!.

I Wanna Be A Game Dev! was released on November 22, 2024.

I Wanna Be A Game Dev! was developed by Lyko Studio.

I Wanna Be A Game Dev! has received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players. Most players liked I Wanna Be A Game Dev! for its story but disliked it for its replayability.

I Wanna Be A Game Dev! is a single player game.

Similar games include Lucid9: Inciting Incident, Crystalline, Find Love or Die Trying, Hush Hush: Only Your Love Can Save Them, Heartbound and others.