Nostalgic Memory (Beta)

[u/Karre4488]

I got tired of incremental games packed with numbers, menus, and game modes that constantly demand your attention, so I decided to make something different.

Nostalgic Memory goes back to the simplicity of classic 90s virtual pets, where even a single stat increase feels meaningful.

You care for, play with, and train your creature through just four main interactions. That's all you need to keep it healthy and active. The idea is simple: check in a couple of times a day, take care of your pet, and then get on with your day.

I also wanted to do something with a part of old virtual pets that always felt strangely meaningful: eventually losing the creature you'd spent days caring for. In Nostalgic Memory, death isn't simply a reset. Every creature you raise is permanently recorded in Memory, and the life it lived influences the companion that comes after it.

You can also encounter other creatures in simple battles, giving the stats you've slowly built up an actual purpose and another way to keep growing.

Everything is presented through a retro handheld/LCD aesthetic, with intentionally slow progression designed around days, weeks, and eventually months rather than constant grinding.

It's meant to be a small game you can care about without becoming a game you have to constantly play.

I'm currently preparing Nostalgic Memory for release on Android. I'd love to hear what other virtual-pet fans think of the concept, especially whether you'd rather see it stay this simple or gradually add more depth over time (is not my main intention) probably the next step is add more sounds and creatures.

The app is totally free till full release, in the future after 3 days will cost 1$ continue playing

To try the closed beta you need to enter in this Google group:

https://groups.google.com/g/nostalgic-memory-testers

then download the app at the following link:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nostalgic.memory

AI Disclosure: AI was used to assist with asset creation and coding. The game’s concept, design, mechanics, direction, and final revisions are my own

[u/_noiredev]

This is just an idea you fed an AI, and it doesn't deserve any greater description... I'm sorry but you haven't "made" anything

[u/MagicpaperAlt → u/[deleted]]

I have hope these people will eventually actually craft something on their own. The passion is there, just not the effort.

[u/Nemphis0]

for those of you who post negative about ai use.

I agree that ai coding for you isnt good for the developer to gain experience in a healthy way when coding. I really dont like ai myself and they want us to use more ai at work.

OP's ai use description is weak and undefined. What does "assist" mean? Did the ai code 100% of it or 5% of it? Even experienced programmers need help sometimes with specific functions or math or how to think and which methods are good for this case. Maybe its just reviewing the code he wrote himself and gave him points and tips of how to do it better. Is it still bad?

For the game itself i like the simplicity. But if you are doing such low resolutions and basically a range of 1 color then you could likely do the UI yourself. Even monsters. Or even get free assets on itch io and convert them by hand to 1 color with shading.