KinitoPET

About

KinitoPET is a single player casual simulation game with a horror theme. It was developed by troy_en and was released on January 9, 2024. It received very positive reviews from players.

"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.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

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93%

Audience ScoreBased on 12,216 reviews

story108 positive mentions

stability48 negative mentions

story
340 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
32%
62%
6%
The story of "Kinitopet" has received mixed reviews, with some players praising its unique and immersive narrative that cleverly incorporates meta elements and nostalgia for retro computing, while others criticize it for being shallow, predictable, or lacking coherence. Many found the horror aspects engaging, but noted that the plot could have been more fleshed out and original, often feeling like a collection of familiar tropes rather than a cohesive tale. Overall, while the game offers intriguing moments and creative storytelling, it leaves some players wanting a deeper narrative experience.
- “Kinitopet is super immersive and it has a lot of depth and very unique storytelling.”
- “The story is great and the true ending is genuinely sad.”
- “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.”
- “Sadly, the story aspect of this game left a lot to be desired.”
- “My only complaint is that the plot makes absolutely no sense.”
humor
211 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is widely praised, with players finding the character Kinito, a quirky axolotl, both amusing and endearing. Many reviews highlight the game's ability to blend humor with horror, often leading to laughter in moments that could be scary, making it a unique and entertaining experience. Overall, the game's comedic elements, including unexpected interactions and playful trolling, contribute significantly to its charm and enjoyment.
- “I was laughing in places where I should have been scared.”
- “Seeing Kinito tweak out when I didn't call him my 'best friend' was funny asf.”
- “I kind of went into this game, expecting a funny joke, screwing around with a friend in a Discord call, but this game unironically blew my mind; my friends also agreed.”
gameplay
178 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
21%
77%
2%
The gameplay of "Kinitopet" is described as a unique blend of horror and innovative mechanics that effectively blurs the lines between the game and the player's computer. While many players appreciate its creative approach and engaging atmosphere, some criticize its short length, technical issues, and lack of depth in horror elements. Overall, it offers a novel experience, particularly for those unfamiliar with similar gameplay styles, but may not satisfy all players due to its limitations.
- “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.”
- “The gameplay really makes you feel like you're messing with unknown computer programs in the early 2000s and the theming really works.”
- “Kinitopet stands as a testament to the power of innovative storytelling and immersive gameplay in the psychological horror genre.”
- “At some points, I thought this was a parody game on the genre, and honestly, if it is, my congratulations, but it does seem to be a genuine horror game, and I think all the horror mechanics it attempts fall completely flat.”
- “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's very dull; it does everything you expect it to do, like opening browser tabs, opening your search bar, and opening file explorer, but it totally lacks any of the interesting game mechanics that could result from implying that the player's computer is a part of the game world.”
music
153 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
39%
59%
2%
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, particularly for its emotional impact and catchy melodies, with many players highlighting the end credit song as a standout moment that evokes strong feelings. Reviewers noted that the soundtrack enhances the overall experience, blending well with the game's themes and aesthetics, while some expressed a desire for the soundtrack to be available for purchase. Despite a few criticisms regarding audio glitches, the general consensus is that the music significantly contributes to the game's charm and emotional depth.
- “And the credit song definitely made me tear up the first time I heard it.”
- “The end song will most likely get stuck in your head because it is such a bop.”
- “The song at the end is really heartwarming, and in principle all the soundtracks in the game are amazing.”
- “Goog game though its fun but the song in the end is bad and annoying.”
- “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 game's audio is hard glitched where Kinito would stop talking mid-sentence and music would repeat.”
emotional
136 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
99%
1%
The emotional aspect of the game is profoundly impactful, with many players expressing deep attachments to the character Kinito, often leading to tears of both joy and sadness. The game's blend of horror and heartwarming moments creates a unique experience that resonates strongly, with players frequently citing the endings and music as particularly moving. Overall, it is praised for its ability to evoke genuine emotional responses, making it a standout title in its genre.
- “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 have ever played in my entire life. I will recommend kinitopet a hundred times and a hundred times over because this game is so well written and actually made me cry a few times.”
graphics
124 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
36%
62%
2%
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their nostalgic 90s aesthetic, effectively enhancing the unsettling horror experience through clever visual tricks and atmospheric design. While some players appreciate the unique blend of old-school visuals and modern gameplay elements, others feel that the reliance on retro graphics can be overdone. Overall, the combination of haunting visuals and engaging art style contributes significantly to the game's charm and immersive quality.
- “The combination of haunting visuals and atmospheric soundscapes enhances the overall sense of unease, making every moment in the game a spine-tingling experience.”
- “This game is absolutely brilliant, the graphics are beautiful and this game is definitely worth your money to play.”
- “Graphics are great (especially in the boot-up screen and the 'your world' section) and I honestly felt a little terrified for like 2 days after playing it.”
- “I say this, despite experiencing the game with lag and glitchy graphics.”
- “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.”
- “This game is good but one of the big issues I had with this game is that it's uncannily similar to Buddy Simulator 1984... from the premise of a digital friend going crazy and trying to keep you away from the real world to the multiple endings and how each of them have a digitally voiced song, both use old school kinds of graphics and mechanics.”
stability
48 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is generally playable but suffers from numerous glitches, bugs, and occasional crashes that detract from the overall experience. While some players report minor issues, others have encountered significant problems that hinder gameplay, making it difficult to recommend. Overall, the stability of the game is a notable concern, with many users expressing frustration over 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.”
- “While the game is amazing and has nice little tiny 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.”
atmosphere
44 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
64%
29%
7%
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its eerie and immersive qualities, enhanced by haunting visuals and sound design that create a sense of unease and tension throughout. Many players find the atmosphere to be the primary source of horror, relying on gradual, unsettling changes rather than jump scares. While some critiques mention that certain horror elements detract from immersion, the overall consensus is that the game successfully delivers a unique and captivating atmospheric experience.
- “Such a unique, engaging, and atmospheric little game.”
- “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 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.”
grinding
41 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
7%
59%
34%
The grinding aspect of the game is widely criticized for being excessively tedious, requiring players to invest significant time and effort, often feeling like a second job. The lack of autosave features exacerbates the frustration, as players risk losing progress after lengthy sessions. Overall, many reviewers find the grinding mechanics detract 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.”
replayability
34 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
59%
12%
Overall, the game's replayability is a mixed bag; while some players find it offers limited replay value after completing the main content, others appreciate the hidden secrets and achievements that encourage additional playthroughs. Many describe it as a one-time experience akin to an interactive movie, with a few noting that certain elements, like easter eggs, can enhance replayability for dedicated players. However, the consensus leans towards it being a game best enjoyed in a single run rather than revisited frequently.
- “There are tons of secrets I have yet to seek out as well, 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.”
- “Replayability is off the charts.”
- “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.”
- “The biggest issues for me were replayability.”
- “Only downside: not much replayability.”
optimization
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
25%
50%
The game's optimization has received mixed feedback, with players noting performance issues, particularly on Windows 11 systems, which detracts from the overall experience. While the game is enjoyable and offers fun elements, its lack of optimization for various computers limits players' ability to fully appreciate key scenes and gameplay features.
- “Sadly, I wasn't able to really enjoy the most popular scenes because of my PC's performance.”
- “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.”
- “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.”
character development
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
33%
17%
The character development in the game is praised for its unique design and storytelling, particularly highlighting the character Kinito, who is described as having a charming personality and distinctive speech quirks. Players appreciate the balance of fear and accessibility, making the game enjoyable for those who are timid, though some express a desire for deeper suspense 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 distinctive, along with his other pals.”
- “The character design in this game is very unique, and I appreciate the depth of the characters, which adds to the overall experience.”
- “Wish there was something like this that was more suspense-based, less cheap jump scares, and better character design.”
monetization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization aspect of the game is creatively integrated through the use of old fake ads, enhancing the immersive experience of the game's world. This approach adds a layer of authenticity while subtly promoting in-game purchases.