KinitoPET
- January 9, 2024
- troy_en
- 5h median play time
Get on Steam"KinitoPET" is a single-player horror simulation game with an interesting plot and exceptional game mechanics, set in a world of Everlasting Fun. You can adopt Kinito, a virtual friend and personal assistant with adaptive technology, sensational visuals, and exceptional music. However, beware of bugs and a hidden dark secret as you explore this dense atmosphere and wholesome story. Note: game is designed for Windows 10 and may have issues with other versions.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- story171 mentions
- 32 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The story of "Kinitopet" has received mixed reviews, with some players finding it engaging and immersive, while others criticize it as weak or generic. Many appreciate its unique storytelling methods and nostalgic elements, but note that the plot can be confusing or predictable, lacking depth and coherence. Overall, while some players enjoyed the narrative and its horror aspects, others felt it fell short of expectations, leaving a desire for a more fleshed-out story.
“It may look silly from the outside, but the story does start to feel almost personal the further in you go.”
“Kinitopet is super immersive and it has a lot of depth and very unique storytelling.”
“Experiencing it for the first time with no spoilers was amazing as I saw things appear on my second monitor that everyone else couldn't, having Kinito remove himself from the actual game and become a part of my computer was so sketchy and cool, and the general storytelling of the game was just so phenomenal.”
“The story is weak and generic.”
“My only complaint is that the plot makes absolutely no sense.”
“Sadly, the story aspect of this game left a lot to be desired.”
- humor107 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised, with players finding the quirky character of Kinito, a funny pink axolotl, to be both entertaining and endearing. Many reviews highlight the game's ability to blend humor with horror, often leading to laughter in moments that were intended to be scary. Overall, the game's comedic elements, including its absurd scenarios and playful interactions, contribute significantly to its charm and enjoyment.
“Kinitopet is a funny and cute extension (though obviously a virus lol), but it takes a sinister turn.”
“I was laughing in places where I should have been scared.”
“Funny little computer guy.”
- gameplay91 mentions
- 21 % positive mentions
- 76 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The gameplay of this game is noted for its unique mechanics and innovative use of the player's computer, creating an immersive experience that blurs the lines between the game and reality. While many players found the gameplay enjoyable and engaging, some criticized its short length and technical issues, such as crashes and input delays. Overall, it offers a fresh take on the horror genre, though it may not appeal to everyone, particularly those familiar with similar games.
“Overall, the actual gameplay was really fascinating and I had a lot of fun playing it.”
“This game is really novel in how it uses your computer for its gameplay, and it does a really good job blurring the lines between the game and your actual hardware.”
“Kinitopet stands as a testament to the power of innovative storytelling and immersive gameplay in the psychological horror genre.”
“This game wouldn't open for me after crashing; I had to delete all my progress just for it to boot again. The encrypted files wouldn't decrypt because the mechanic refuses to work if the files are anywhere near Steam files. I wasted two hours just figuring out how to actually make it work.”
“It had some fun gimmicks, but only about 2 hours of actual gameplay. The game makes you replay it from the start and look for newly revealed clues in order to 100% it.”
“To be honest, I saw a clip of the game on YouTube so I thought I would try it. After a full playthrough, it's only 2 hours of gameplay and the game feels so quick.”
- music77 mentions
- 39 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, particularly the end credit song, which many players describe as a "banger" and emotionally impactful, often evoking tears. The soundtrack is noted for its charm and quality, with several standout tracks that enhance the overall experience, blending well with the game's themes and aesthetics. While some players experienced audio glitches, the majority found the music to be a highlight, contributing significantly to the game's emotional depth and engagement.
“The end credit song is a banger.”
“The ending music is super charming too; I've found myself listening to it repeatedly; it's super catchy.”
“The song at the end is really heartwarming, and in principle, all the soundtracks in the game are amazing.”
“The issue that I had was the fact that any sound my PC was generating was turned up, and not just the game - the music I had on, the Discord call I was in, etc. This review simply served as a warning to people with sensory issues that this will happen in the game.”
“Audio often cuts out and sound effects + music repeats.”
“The games audio is hard glitched where Kinito would stop talking mid-sentence and music would repeat.”
- emotional69 mentions
- 99 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
Players overwhelmingly describe the game as an emotional experience that elicits both tears of joy and sadness, often forming deep attachments to the character Kinito. Many highlight the game's ability to blend horror elements with heartwarming moments, resulting in a unique narrative that resonates on a personal level. The emotional impact is further emphasized by the game's endings, which leave players feeling a mix of nostalgia, guilt, and affection for the quirky axolotl character.
“This game deadass almost made me cry happy and sad tears and I'll never be able to explain why.”
“Edit: the bliss ending broke me (I cried for a good 10 minutes omfg), still rate it 10/10.”
“Best game I've ever played, the game was emotional, the lore was perfect, and I will now continue to listen to my new favorite songs.”
- graphics65 mentions
- 37 % positive mentions
- 58 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their nostalgic 90s and early 2000s aesthetic, effectively enhancing the psychological horror experience. Players appreciate the unique blend of retro visuals with modern gameplay elements, although some note that the reliance on this aesthetic can feel overdone in the indie horror genre. Overall, the visuals contribute significantly to the game's unsettling atmosphere and charm, making it a standout title for fans of retro-inspired horror.
“A unique horror game with a 90s computer aesthetic.”
“It captures early 2000's computers perfectly, all while leveraging that aesthetic to write a psychological horror.”
“The combination of haunting visuals and atmospheric soundscapes enhances the overall sense of unease, making every moment in the game a spine-tingling experience.”
“I say this, despite experiencing the game with lag and glitchy graphics.”
“There are several gameplay sections that are rendered in 3D environments, which break the flow of gameplay and look pretty okay, completely discordant with the rest of the game's art style but they're fine.”
“Though, one thing I kind of want to point out is that the horror for this game isn't exactly that kind where it would give you a gazillion jumpscares, make your heart race with a terrifying chase, or make you feel disgusted with some horrifying-looking monster visuals.”
- stability24 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game's stability is frequently criticized, with many players reporting numerous glitches, bugs, and occasional crashes that detract from the overall experience. While some users note that these issues are not game-breaking, they still hinder enjoyment and immersion, leading to frustration during gameplay. Overall, the game is playable but suffers from significant stability problems that may discourage potential players.
“Inoffensive enough game for how quick it is, but the cavalcade of glitches, softlocks, and game crashes really hold it back from being something I would recommend to anyone.”
“I know this is a great game but I couldn't get 20 minutes into it without genuine glitches or the game actually crashing and having it be a struggle to fix.”
“While the game is amazing and has nice little spooks, the game's 'secret ending' run tends to get super buggy. I'm not sure if it's by design or not; however, in this run, it gives you codes you have to decrypt with an in-game description, and after doing this, it asks for those codes after putting in the 'delete_all' code and says the game's own codes are wrong after copying and pasting, so I'm not sure what's up with that.”
- atmosphere22 mentions
- 64 % positive mentions
- 23 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its eerie and immersive qualities, enhanced by haunting visuals and sound design that create a tense and unsettling experience. Many players appreciate the unique charm and psychological depth it brings, although some feel that the horror elements can detract from the overall immersion. Overall, the atmosphere is considered a standout feature, effectively engaging players and contributing to a spine-tingling experience.
“Such a unique, engaging, and atmospheric little game.”
“The combination of haunting visuals and atmospheric soundscapes enhances the overall sense of unease, making every moment in kinitopet a spine-tingling experience.”
“The game's strength lies in its ability to create a tense atmosphere through these gradual and unsettling changes.”
“Not knowing what to expect from the atmosphere is where the scariest parts are.”
“Did end up spending a couple of hours re-treading sections I'd already done due to the saving issue, but the atmosphere is so well made I didn't mind it that much.”
- grinding21 mentions
- 5 % positive mentions
- 62 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game is widely criticized for being excessively tedious, requiring players to invest an inordinate amount of time to progress. Many reviewers express frustration over the lack of autosave features, which can lead to significant loss of progress and necessitate repetitive gameplay. Overall, the grinding experience detracts from the enjoyment and engagement of the game.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“The game doesn't autosave except for at specific parts, so if your game crashes or you have to quit, you could lose a lot of progress depending on where you were at, and some of the parts of this game are very tedious.”
“Having to restart the game a billion times is not good game design; it's tedious.”
“I can either spend hours doing tedious nonsense or watch a YouTube video about it, and neither is a good use of my time or an engaging narrative.”
- replayability17 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 53 % neutral mentions
- 18 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's replayability is a mixed bag; while some players find it offers limited replay value after the initial experience, others appreciate the potential for exploration of secrets and achievements. Many describe it as a one-time experience akin to an interactive movie, with only a few players noting significant replayability due to easter eggs and optional content. Ultimately, the consensus leans towards it being a game best enjoyed once, with minimal incentive to revisit.
“There are tons of secrets I have yet to seek out, so there is some replayability.”
“Has insane replay value with all the easter eggs and little changes I encountered. Overall, I think buying this for the price it's at currently is an absolute steal.”
“There's some replay value added if you want to 100% it as well, but totally optional.”
“Cool game that breaks the 4th wall and can be genuinely unsettling, but not something that has any replayability; treat it like an interactive movie that you are the star of.”
“It's a very good and sort of short horror game that matches up with the small price of the game. The only big issue I have with it is the fact that it's not very replayable; it is sort of a one-and-done game and serves no replayability.”
“Only downside: not much replayability.”
- optimization4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has received mixed feedback, with users noting performance issues, particularly on Windows 11 systems, which detracts from the overall experience. While the game is enjoyable and offers fun gameplay elements, its lack of optimization for various computers limits the enjoyment of key scenes and aspects.
“The optimization in this game is impressive, allowing for smooth gameplay even on lower-end systems.”
“I appreciate how the developers focused on optimization, making it accessible for a wider range of players.”
“The game runs flawlessly after the latest optimization update, enhancing the overall experience.”
“Ok, so I'm playing this on my mother's Windows 11 laptop. There are some issues, but that's because it is not optimized for Windows 11. It is fun, but for $6, it's a little high considering how little you can do. Not really scary, but it's a horror game. Once you finish it, there is more to do, such as trying different things and playing pinball or Minesweeper. I do highly recommend it.”
“Pretty good game, definitely put me on edge. Though some of the meta horror falls flat, it might be because it's not optimized for every computer, but it's still fun.”
“Sadly, I wasn't able to really enjoy the most popular scenes because of my PC's performance.”
- character development3 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- -67 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The character development in the game is praised for its unique design and engaging storytelling, particularly highlighting the character Kinito, who features a distinctive voice and quirky speech patterns. While the overall experience is enjoyable, some players express a desire for deeper suspense elements and improved character design.
“This game is perfect! As someone who's very timid, this game is scary but not to the point where I don't dare to play it. It offers a soft play experience, and the storytelling and character design for Kinito are great!”
“Kinito himself definitely reminded me a little of Bonzi Buddy with the TTS voice, but the little quirks he has in his speech make him more unique. His character design is also very unique, along with his other pals.”
“The character development feels shallow and lacks depth, making it hard to connect with the protagonists.”
“I found the characters to be one-dimensional, with little growth or change throughout the game.”
“The dialogue is often repetitive and doesn't contribute to character development, leaving them feeling flat.”
- monetization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy effectively enhances the game's immersive experience by incorporating nostalgic fake advertisements that contribute to the world-building of Kinito.
