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
- story226 mentions
- 34 % positive mentions
- 62 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The game's story is a blend of horror and charm, featuring a unique narrative that explores themes of toxic friendship and internet safety, often using interactive elements to enhance immersion. While many players appreciate its engaging and innovative storytelling, some find it short and lacking depth, with a few criticizing its predictability and vagueness. Overall, the narrative is seen as compelling yet flawed, offering a mix of cute aesthetics and unsettling moments that resonate with fans of the genre.
“This is genuinely one of the best games I've played; the horror aspects were great and the story was awesome.”
“The story is rich, the visuals are amazing, the music is impactful, and so is the writing.”
“Kinitopet immerses you in the world of this horrifying AI experience with sounds, scary visuals, and a story that keeps you twisting in your seat.”
“The story is weak and generic.”
“My only complaint is that the plot makes absolutely no sense.”
“It may look silly from the outside, but the story does start to feel almost personal the further in you go.”
- humor132 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised, with players finding the quirky characters, particularly the axolotl and "funny pink guy," to be both entertaining and endearing. Many reviews highlight the game's ability to blend comedy with horror elements, often leading to laughter in moments that might typically be scary. Overall, the game's playful tone and humorous interactions, including unexpected fourth wall breaks and absurd scenarios, contribute to a fun and engaging experience.
“This game made me laugh at times too, the normal voice for Kinito is just too good.”
“The developer also roasted me live on stream while I was struggling with the game and that was hilarious.”
“I just wanted to have a funny little axolotl friend and I somehow accidentally pissed off a demonic virus.”
- gameplay117 mentions
- 22 % positive mentions
- 75 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The gameplay of the game is characterized by its unique integration of computer mechanics and immersive storytelling, often blurring the lines between the game and the player's actual hardware. While many players appreciate the innovative design and nostalgic aesthetics, some criticize its linearity and simplicity, feeling it lacks depth and agency. Overall, the experience is generally well-received, though some technical issues and a desire for longer gameplay are noted.
“The gameplay intertwines puzzles, exploration, and narrative choices, allowing players to delve deeper into the world of Kinito.”
“Incredibly innovative gameplay, not as scary as I expected but still very fun.”
“The gameplay really makes you feel like you're messing with unknown computer programs in the early 2000s, and the theming really works.”
“The gameplay for this game is very linear and just follows a simple story, but the experience is well worth it, in my opinion.”
“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.”
“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.”
- music91 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received overwhelmingly positive feedback, with many players praising the soundtrack for its emotional depth and ability to enhance the gaming experience. The end credit song, in particular, is frequently described as a "banger" that evokes strong feelings, often leaving players teary-eyed. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature, effectively complementing the game's horror elements and narrative.
“To close this off, I also really enjoy the soundtrack; I think Joel did an amazing job conveying the energy of the game into music!”
“The haunting soundtrack complements the visual style perfectly, heightening moments of tension and underscoring the more emotional scenes.”
“The ending music is super charming too; I've found myself listening to it repeatedly—it's super catchy.”
“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.”
“The games audio is hard glitched where Kinito would stop talking mid-sentence and music would repeat.”
“Goog game though its fun but the song in the end is bad and annoying.”
- graphics91 mentions
- 41 % positive mentions
- 56 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The graphics of "Kinitopet" are widely praised for their nostalgic early 2000s and 90s computer aesthetics, effectively enhancing the psychological horror experience. Players appreciate the charming visuals, which combine cute elements with unsettling themes, and the game's ability to mimic old computer interfaces like Windows 95 and Bonzi Buddy. While some critiques mention occasional glitches and a lack of depth in puzzles, the overall visual presentation is considered a standout feature that contributes significantly to the game's immersive atmosphere.
“Kinito Pet is an indie horror game that pulls you in with its charming visuals and keeps you on your toes with its unexpected twists.”
“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 Kinito Pet a spine-tingling experience.”
“There are several gameplay sections that are rendered in 3D environments that break the flow of gameplay and look pretty okay, completely discordant with the rest of the game's art style, but they're fine.”
“It was fantastic until the last 7 minutes where I got stuck because the graphics lagged my game and it broke my immersion.”
“I say this, despite experiencing the game with lag and glitchy graphics.”
- emotional84 mentions
- 99 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
Players report a profound emotional connection with the quirky companion, Kinito, describing the game as both heartwarming and unsettling. The narrative's unpredictability, combined with a haunting soundtrack, enhances the emotional experience, leading many to tears during pivotal moments, particularly the impactful endings. Overall, the game is praised for its unique blend of horror and wholesomeness, leaving players feeling deeply attached to Kinito and reflecting on themes of friendship and vulnerability.
“Players will quickly find themselves forming an affectionate bond with this quirky companion, adding an emotional layer to the game.”
“The haunting soundtrack complements the visual style perfectly, heightening moments of tension and underscoring the more emotional scenes.”
“I loved the ending and the road to it; the end was strangely heartfelt.”
- stability31 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game's stability has been widely criticized, with many players reporting frequent glitches, softlocks, and crashes that detract from the overall experience. While some users noted that the bugs were not game-breaking, they still hindered enjoyment and immersion, leading to frustration during gameplay. Despite these issues, a few players found the game enjoyable and recommended it, albeit with caution regarding its technical shortcomings.
“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.”
“It feels buggy, unresponsive, and the biggest scare you'll get is formed in a totally different genre of horror games.”
- grinding24 mentions
- 13 % positive mentions
- 58 % neutral mentions
- 29 % 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 setbacks if the game crashes or if players need to quit unexpectedly. Overall, the repetitive nature of grinding detracts from the overall enjoyment and engagement of the game.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“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.”
- atmosphere23 mentions
- 65 % positive mentions
- 22 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its hand-drawn style, vibrant colors, and immersive sound design, creating an inviting yet eerie environment that enhances the overall experience. While some players find the horror elements detract from immersion, many appreciate the unique charm and unsettling vibes that keep them engaged and on edge. Overall, the atmosphere is described as a standout feature, effectively blending psychological horror with captivating visuals and soundscapes.
“The hand-drawn style, vibrant colors, and cute character designs make for an inviting atmosphere.”
“The game excels in creating an eerie atmosphere that permeates every corner of Kinito's digital domain.”
“The combination of haunting visuals and atmospheric soundscapes enhances the overall sense of unease, making every moment in Kinitopet a spine-tingling experience.”
“The majority of the game is scary due to the atmosphere, vibes, etc. not due to anything jumping out at you or shrieking at you too much.”
“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.”
- replayability18 mentions
- 28 % positive mentions
- 56 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The game's replayability is a mixed bag; while some players appreciate the variety of outcomes and secrets that encourage exploration, many feel it lacks substantial replay value after experiencing all the endings. Some describe it as a one-time experience akin to an interactive movie, while others note that achieving 100% completion offers limited incentive for replay. Overall, the consensus suggests that while there are elements that can entice players back, the game is primarily designed for a single playthrough.
“The variety of outcomes encourages replayability, as players will want to explore every avenue to uncover the full story behind the axolotl and the eerie happenings surrounding it.”
“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.”
“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.”
- character development5 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
The character development in the game is highlighted by the charming and unique design of Kinito, a friendly yet deceptive character reminiscent of early 2000s computer viruses. Players appreciate the inviting atmosphere created by the hand-drawn style and vibrant colors, as well as Kinito's quirky speech, which adds depth to his personality. However, some users express a desire for more suspenseful elements and improved character design beyond the current offerings.
“This game is perfect for someone who's very timid; it's 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, along with his other pals, is also very unique.”
“The game centers around interaction between you and Kinito, a friendly (yet deceiving) character designed to feel like a computer virus straight from the 2000s.”
“Kinito himself definitely reminded me a little of Bonzi Buddy with the TTS voice, but the little quirks he has in his speech make it more unique. His character design, as well as that of his other pals, is very unique.”
“Wish there was something like this that was more suspense-based, less cheap jump scares, and better character design.”
- optimization5 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
The game's optimization has received mixed feedback, with users noting performance issues on various systems, particularly on Windows 11. While some players found the experience enjoyable despite these challenges, others felt that the lack of optimization hindered their ability to fully engage with key moments in the game. Overall, the game's fun elements are overshadowed by its technical shortcomings.
“My only problems are that the game's story could have been told a little bit better, and the world section needs a lot of optimization.”
“My only problems are that the game's story could have been told a little bit better and the world section needs a lot of optimization.”
“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, and once you finish it, there is more to do, such as trying different things and playing pinball or Minesweeper.”
“Sadly, I wasn't able to really enjoy the most popular scenes because of my PC's performance.”
- monetization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy effectively enhances the game's immersive experience by incorporating old fake ads that contribute to the authenticity of the Kinito world.
