Smile Dog

About

Smile Dog is a single player simulation game. It was developed by Sweet Sennin Games and was released on August 22, 2025. It received positive reviews from players.

Smile Dog plunges you into a psychological horror puzzle where your own desktop becomes the eerie playground. As unsettling emails invade your inbox and your system glitches disturbingly, reality blurs with digital terror. Uncover the haunting story through spot-the-difference challenges and choose from multiple chilling endings.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

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90%

Audience ScoreBased on 29 reviews

story4 positive mentions

atmosphere3 negative mentions

The game offers a unique blend of cozy horror and engaging storytelling, effectively building tension without relying heavily on jump scares.
It features a cute aesthetic and a fun 'spot the difference' mechanic that ties into the Smile Dog creepypasta, making it enjoyable for fans of the genre.
The compact playtime of around 30-60 minutes is well-suited for a quick gaming session, allowing players to experience all endings in one sitting.

The gameplay can feel repetitive and lacks depth, with many of the 'spot the difference' puzzles being basic and not particularly scary.
The game suffers from abrupt endings and some technical issues, such as hard-to-read text and occasional bugs.
While the initial presentation is strong, the final cutscene and art quality are disappointing, detracting from the overall experience.

story
13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
31%
46%
23%
The game's story is a modernized adaptation of the "smile dog" creepypasta, presented through immersive emails that enhance the horror experience. While it doesn't significantly expand on the original narrative, it effectively builds tension and provides a compact, engaging tale that complements the gameplay. Overall, players appreciate the creepy atmosphere and the personal touch of the story, making it a worthwhile experience for fans of compact horror narratives.
- “Based on the classic smile dog creepypasta, which I would actually recommend if for some reason you want to play this game - as there are many references directly to it and the story is honestly not bad. This game somewhat modernizes the story by encapsulating the titular memetic horror within a video game sent to you by your friend, which you play and interact with via the virtual desktop in the game.”
- “It aids with immersion pretty significantly and I enjoyed many of the references to the original story peppered throughout the emails and the lore within the game, as well as the frantic pace of emails later on as the game segments begin to get timed.”
- “As you play, strange details begin to surface, and emails start arriving to reveal the unsettling story behind it all.”
- “This game is a simple, haunted game creepypasta that shows off the 'smile dog' creepypasta story.”
- “Just read the original story, look at the spooky picture, and spread the word: this game sucks.”
- “The story mostly plays out in the emails, but there's some nice build-up to the inevitable conclusion that you know is coming.”
atmosphere
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
75%
The atmosphere of the game is characterized by a unique blend of cozy horror and creeping dread, effectively building mood and intrigue throughout its short playtime. While it may not be terrifying, it stands out for its pacing and ability to draw players in, offering a refreshing take on the indie horror genre.
- “It’s short, it’s atmospheric, and while it won’t terrify you, it’s worth playing for the way it steadily builds mood and delivers something different from the usual indie horror formula.”
- “Inspired by the classic creepypasta, it blends a cozy horror atmosphere with the creeping dread of opening just one wrong email.”
- “Smily Dog is a short but intriguing horror game that stands out for its atmosphere and pacing.”
- “I've only just started playing this game, but I'm already drawn in by its atmosphere.”
gameplay
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
100%
The gameplay primarily revolves around the [i]smile dog[/i] game-within-a-game, which has garnered attention for its engaging mechanics and intriguing narratives, particularly highlighted by popular characters like Jeff the Killer and the Russian Sleep Experiment. Players have discovered the game through various content creators, enhancing its visibility and appeal.
- “My favorites being Jeff the Killer and the Russian Sleep Experiment. I actually discovered the game after seeing Jay from the Kubz Scouts post his own gameplay.”
- “The vast majority of the gameplay is contained within the 'smile dog' game-within-a-game.”
- “I actually discovered the game after seeing Jay from the Kubz Scouts post his own gameplay.”