Demo unleashed for Kiddo on Steam

• Announcements by Jack Allin
• Published:

Full version of surreal point-and-click adventure with minimalist art style coming soon for Windows PC

Ever wonder what your life would be like if it hit rock bottom? Probably best NOT to imagine, given the cautionary tale of the titular star of Kiddo, an upcoming surrealist point-and-click adventure by indie collective Grasita Games.

Kiddo is a nice enough fellow, an "endearing character" that we can probably all relate to a little bit. The problem is, he's utterly lazy and unmotivated. In fact, he's "mastered the art of doing nothing" and his "life’s biggest achievement consists of watching TV and eating pizza." He can't even be bothered to put on pants. (Comic dangly bits warning!) Jobless and friendless, it's all left Kiddo "socially isolated" except for his loyal dog Spooky. And now, after several more lost weeks spent glued to the couch in front of the tube, even Spooky is gone. It's finally time for Kiddo to get off his butt and do something for a change. But change is never easy, and finding his pup will be even harder, as Kiddo soon discovers that even his house is "giving up on itself."

The game's raw art style is as unusual as its premise: a love-it-or-hate-it, minimalist hand-drawn monochrome aesthetic that shimmers in constant movement. (Take those flashing-light epilepsy warnings to heart for this one.) In most other respects, however, Kiddo is very much a traditional adventure, blending third-person exploration (in black and off-white) and first-person close-ups (in purple and orange). It's got intuitive single-click mechanics, an inventory, and plenty of puzzles to solve that will "make you question your intelligence," entirely without dialogue. The story, on the hand... not so conventional, as Kiddo's "existential crisis" promises plenty of bizarre characters and encounters, including a rodent with loads of personality. It'd probably be depressing if not for an "ironic sense of humor" that treats the dark subject matter with a knowing sense of whimsy and fun. 

Kiddo looks to be an acquired taste, to be sure, so it's a good thing a playable demo is available to download on Steam for Windows PC. There's no word just yet on when the full version will be done, but it's currently listed as "coming soon." To follow the game's progress while you wait, be sure to check out the official website.