1 
0 Stay: Forever Home is a mixed reality/virtual reality game where you adopt a virtual pet. Sounds pretty cute, doesn’t it? It is! Developed and published by Windup Minds, the game came out in April, for just £9.99 on the Meta store, and received positive reviews.
A Friend Needs A Home
I’m an absolute glutton for a cute game where you look after animals. I have looked after virtual pets for the majority of my life. However, never have I done it in a virtual reality setting! And so the time has come to cross the virtual reality border. Join me as we enter the world of Stay: Forever Home.
Gameplay
As I’ve already mentioned, you have to give Ember a new home. Starting the game out you are greeted with a portal in your living room. By enticing Ember with a few nice treats, they join you in your living space. That is when the real fun starts. You can pet Ember and play with her, growing that bond between yourself and your virtual pet.
Ember has an astonishing personality, meaning that they are aware of their surroundings as well as capable of spontaneous behaviour. It really is a game that you have to see and get stuck into.
Playing through for a short time, a door appears in your play space. This was a portal to another realm, making the game go into full virtual reality. Heading into this beautiful world, you are greeted with a short message. Giving you an insight into what you can expect in the Otherlands. This is where you learn that Ember reacts to your voice. A simple ‘Come’ command, and Ember comes trotting back from wherever she might have been.
Exploration is key to this, and I’m not going to spoil it. All I will say is Stay: Forever Home is a game where you will spend hours just journeying around and spending time with Ember.
Graphics & Audio
Stay: Forever Home is an adorable game. Ember is a cute quadruped that resembles a mixture of a fox, a cat and something magical. Rendered using a gorgeously vibrant palette, you will look in awe at the game. Obviously, when in the mixed reality portion of the game, there is a stark colour difference between the real and the virtual world. This instantly gets overlooked when you go through the portal to the Otherworld.
Stay: Forever Home‘s sound design is cute and quiet, with plenty of ambience created to allow the main focus to be on Ember. The game works incredibly well and immerses you in a world that is both intriguing and welcoming.
Longevity
If you are hoping for a long epic story, then you might be disappointed. Instead Stay: Forever Home offers is a relaxing experience where time is rewarded. Take your time on your journeys. Make sure that Ember is happy. Just don’t forget to pick up some treats for her. After all, you want to be able to keep her happy and give her some yummy scritches.
Final Thoughts
If you are a fan of virtual pets, then this one is definitely for you. It expands on a tried and tested formula and offers an experience like no other. From the first moment, Ember jumps into your play space. To each time you head out and explore the Otherworld. There will be a permanent smile on your face guaranteed.
Stay: Forever Home receives the Thumb Culture Gold Award.
Disclaimer: A code was received in order to write this review.
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