Info about MyDear.exe:

Official game description:
**MyDear.exe** is a **cute** and **tiny game** about **two lovely elders** living in Bordeaux, France 🍷🇫🇷
Play as Ellie and spend **around 2 hours** exploring the game that her husband Lucien developed for her in the old family computer to celebrate their 57 years together! Souvenirs, photographs, sweet notes, narrative mini-games... use everything you find to **solve the puzzles** he prepared especially for her ❤️💻
57 years together is something! To celebrate it Lucien has transformed an old PC into a game inspired by their life together. Find their memories in the form of photos, drawings, love words... anything!
Everyone loves games, especially Ellie.  
In MyDear.exe, Lucien created several mini-games inspired by them and their pets **♡**
What would a game be without puzzles?  
Find clues in the memories of our cute couple, scattered here and there in the folders of the computer, and solve puzzles created with love.
In MyDear.exe you'll find:
*   A cute little game from up to 2 hours, to enjoy with a hot beverage.
*   An interactive love letter celebrating a full life spent together.
*   Puzzles that will gently put your sense of deduction to the test.
*   Narrative mini-games inspired by Ellie and Lucien's favorite games.
*   Find out more about Clochette the street cat and Hoshisan the "good boy"!
What you **won't find** in MyDear.exe:
*   AI generated assets. We didn't use any AI tools to create this game. 
*   A complete computer simulation.
*   A demanding game, the experience requires some skill but remains a quiet moment for everyone.
*   A long story with lots of characters, Ellie and Lucien are at the center of the adventure.
We're a small studio of two (and a few freelance friends **♡**) who wanted to stop working on big and long games for years.  
So we opened Falling Leaves Studio with one objective in mind:
\> **_To create short, enjoyable experiences to savor with a hot drink in a rainy afternoon!_**
We hope you like our first game; we made it with all our hearts **♡**
Feel free to join us on social media! :D

Release date: Nov 2, 2026

Categories: Point-and-click Adventure, Puzzle Solving, Desktop Interaction, Mini-game Collection, Interactive Fiction, Narrative Adventure, Relaxing and Cozy Gameplay


- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $6.00 - $9.00
  - Reasoning: Reviewers consistently describe the game as worth the price and call the pricing reasonable, while also noting its short length and strong value when discounted. This supports a modest fair base-game range around the current $7.75 price, with a lower bound reflecting the short length and discount expectations and an upper bound allowing for the positive value statements.
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: 3.0h
  - Story completion: 2.0h
  - Session length: N/A
  - Endgame: N/A
  - Reasoning: The first quote explicitly gives about 3 hours for earning all achievements, so gameCompletion is set to 3 hours. The second quote says the game was completed within a couple of hours, supporting a story/main completion estimate of about 2 hours. No quote gives a session length, and no separate post-story/endgame time is reported, so sessionLength and endgame are null.
- Time-to-fun: No data
- Player Archetypes:
  - Romance Anime Narrative Fan (buy)
    - Motivation: To experience a heartfelt romance story with anime-style emotional beats and a devoted male lead.
    - Playstyle: Plays short narrative romance games, notices achievement completion, and focuses on emotional character moments.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Cozy Relaxation Player (buy)
    - Motivation: To unwind with a gentle, warm story that feels comfortable and low-pressure.
    - Playstyle: Short, relaxed sessions focused on comfort and easy progression.
    - Experience: mixed
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Indie Narrative Supporter (sale)
    - Motivation: To support small studios making emotionally touching, story-driven games.
    - Playstyle: Seeks short indie narratives, considers price-to-length value, and plays for emotional resonance.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: N/A


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Warm heartwarming love story (weight 0.99): Many reviewers describe the story as warm, sweet, and heartwarming, focusing on a decades-long love between Ellie and Lucien. The emotional tone is consistently praised as touching and sincere.
- Puzzles integrated with narrative (weight 0.74): Reviewers frequently note that puzzles are tightly woven into the story, with solving them advancing the plot naturally. This integration is seen as a key strength of the game.
- Nostalgic retro OS interface (weight 0.44): The Windows 2000/XP-style desktop simulation evokes nostalgia and is praised for its detailed and realistic design. It enhances immersion and serves as more than just a visual gimmick.
- Fun and clever minigames (weight 0.33): The minigames are often described as simple yet varied and enjoyable, adding liveliness to the experience. They are seen as a fun way to interact with the story.
- Cute and cozy art style (weight 0.25): Many find the art style warm, cozy, and cute, with a distinctive hand-drawn feel. The overall atmosphere is soft and not scary.
- Engaging folder exploration (weight 0.25): Searching through folders for clues is engaging, often described as feeling like solving a maze. It keeps players immersed in the story.
- Relaxing and comfortable gameplay (weight 0.25): The game provides a relaxing and comfortable experience, suitable for unwinding. The pace is calm and the atmosphere is soothing.
- Moderate puzzle difficulty (weight 0.22): Puzzles are generally not too difficult, preventing frustration and keeping the narrative flowing. This balance is appreciated by many reviewers.
- Good value for money (weight 0.19): Reviewers mention the game offers high value for money, especially when discounted. The pricing is considered reasonable for the experience.
- Polished and detailed experience (weight 0.18): Reviewers note consistent polish throughout, with many small details and surprises that enhance the experience. The developers put a lot of personality into the game.
- Short and enjoyable length (weight 0.15): The short length is seen as enjoyable, allowing the story to be told without puzzles becoming tedious. It ends cleanly without dragging.
- Memorable characters and family (weight 0.15): Characters like Ellie, Lucien, and the family as a whole are memorable and relatable. The relationship between the couple feels authentic.
- Novel storytelling method (weight 0.15): The way the story is told through a computer interface and puzzles is considered novel and fun. It offers a fresh approach to narrative games.
- No horror or uncomfortable elements (weight 0.14): The game is free of horror elements and uncomfortable content, making it suitable for all audiences. It is described as warm and not scary.
- Cute dog companion (weight 0.13): The dog in the game is considered cute, and watching it grow from small to big is enjoyable. Its minigame is also fun.
- Good music and sound effects (weight 0.1): The music is good, and boot-up sound effects and hard drive read sounds are evocative, adding to the nostalgic atmosphere.
- User-friendly save and tips system (weight 0.1): The save and reference system helps avoid getting lost, with a tips notebook recording locks for easy backtracking. This makes navigation smoother.
- Supporting indie developers (weight 0.06): Some reviewers feel it's worth supporting the indie studio behind the game, acknowledging the effort and passion put into it.

Common complaints:
- Low replay value overall (weight 0.16): The linear narrative and fixed puzzle answers remove motivation to play again after the first completion. Knowing the story and solutions eliminates the incentive to reopen the game.
- Minigames feel old-fashioned (weight 0.15): The built-in minigames are seen as dated and require high precision. One minesweeper minigame is described as eye-straining and distracting from the main story.
- Unclear password input hints (weight 0.06): Some passwords require slashes or spaces, but the game does not clearly indicate this at first. This causes confusion for players attempting to enter passwords.
- Cat fighting stun penalty (weight 0.05): In the cat fighting minigame, missing an enemy causes a brief stun. This adds a punishing mechanic to the minigame.
- Voice acting disliked (weight 0.05): At least one player was not a fan of the voice acting. This is a minor subjective critique of the audio performance.

Gameplay feedback:
- Folder-based puzzle solving (weight 0.59): Players solve puzzles by searching through folders on a simulated computer desktop, comparing clues and decrypting files. This core loop is echoed across many clusters.
- Built-in minigames enhance experience (weight 0.55): The game includes various minigames, such as Minesweeper, a dog battle, photo developing, parkour, and cat fighting, which add liveliness and help tell the story.
- Narrative-focused casual experience (weight 0.35): The game is a short, story-driven experience that explores memories of a couple and their pets. It is casual and healing, suited to slow play.
- Encrypted files and password puzzles (weight 0.3): Players must find passwords by cross-referencing clues from different files and decrypting folders to progress and reveal the story.
- Desktop simulation genre (weight 0.25): The game simulates navigating a computer desktop with windows, files, and folders, similar to other desktop explorer games. This setting is central to the gameplay.
- Linear structure with fixed solutions (weight 0.14): The narrative is linear, and puzzle answers are fixed, requiring specific solutions. This structure is noted in several clusters.
- Puzzle difficulty is low (weight 0.1): Puzzles can be solved by exploring a bit and are generally easy, with low difficulty noted by players.
- Lifelike puzzles grounded in everyday experience (weight 0.1): The desktop puzzles are realistic and based on common computer tasks, such as finding passwords and comparing photos, making them relatable.
- Foldervania-style maze navigation (weight 0.09): The structure is described as Foldervania, with new areas hidden inside directories, and file navigation can feel maze-like.
- Save and reference system for clues (weight 0.09): A tips notebook on the right side records map locks and clues, helping players keep track of passwords and information.
- Short completion time with achievements (weight 0.09): The game is short, with achievements earnable in one playthrough of about 3 hours without a guide.
- Includes voice acting (weight 0.05): The game features voice acting, adding to the narrative experience.
- Mix of life simulation and minigames (weight 0.05): The game blends life simulation elements with minigames, creating a varied gameplay experience.

Performance notes:
No performancepoints

Recommendations:
- Warm, Relaxing Experience (weight 0.15): Reviewers describe the game as relaxing and cozy, ideal for playing under a blanket with tea or finding sweetness in daily life. It is also recommended for those wanting a warm story without horror elements.
- Strong Overall Recommendation (weight 0.15): Multiple clusters express a clear positive recommendation, calling the game highly recommended and worth playing. Players consider it a safe purchase for fans of casual, story-driven games.
- Good Indie Value (weight 0.1): Reviewers view it as a solid indie title and a good value, especially at a discount price. This makes it a low-risk purchase for casual and story-focused players.

Other player notes:
- Short game length (weight 0.25): Many reviewers note the game is very short, often completable in a couple of hours. This is a common observation about its brevity.
- Short playtime for price (weight 0.21): Some players feel the short duration does not justify the full price, though others find it acceptable at a discount. Pricing concerns are tied to the game's length.
- Small-scale production (weight 0.17): The game is described as a small-scale indie work with reasonable pricing. Reviewers acknowledge its modest scope.
- Similar to Desktop Explorer (weight 0.14): Gameplay involves searching folders for passwords like in Desktop Explorer, but with a warmer and less horror-focused tone. Some also compare it to other clue-piecing games.
- Casual and healing atmosphere (weight 0.1): Unlike typical suspense or horror games, this one offers a casual and healing experience. The story lacks horror elements, focusing instead on warmth.
- Female perspective narrative (weight 0.1): The story is told from a female perspective with male-voiced narration. It follows two characters from meeting to growing old together.
- Retro OS packaging (weight 0.09): The game features a recreation of the XP system and retro OS packaging. This nostalgic element appeals to players.
- Hand-drawn art style (weight 0.06): The game features a distinctive hand-drawn art style that stands out. This artistic choice is frequently praised.
- Elderly protagonists (weight 0.06): The game features elderly people as protagonists, which is uncommon in games. This unique choice adds depth to the narrative.
- Developer guide available (weight 0.05): A developer-written guide is available in English and is easy to understand. This helps players navigate the game.
- Cat based on developer's pet (weight 0.05): The cat in the game is actually the developers' own cat, adding a personal touch. This detail endears the game to players.
- Voice acting can be disabled (weight 0.05): Players have the option to turn off voice acting. This provides flexibility in experiencing the game.
- Focus on puzzle and narrative (weight 0.05): Developers focused efforts on puzzle logic and narrative, ensuring a cohesive experience. The gameplay emphasizes solving mysteries through clues.
- Pokemon reference minigame (weight 0.05): A minigame references Pokemon, adding a fun Easter egg for players. This nod to popular culture is a delightful surprise.
- Favorable comparison to Chinese Gal games (weight 0.05): Reviewers compare it favorably to Chinese Gal games for avoiding preachiness and bad storywriting. The narrative is praised for its quality.
- Developed by French team (weight 0.05): The game was developed by a French team whose leads previously worked on Prince of Persia: Rogue. Their experience contributes to the game's polish.
- Inspired by developers' family (weight 0.05): The story is inspired by the development team members' grandparents and family pets. This personal inspiration adds authenticity.
- Folder-based Metroidvania structure (weight 0.05): The game uses a folder-based Metroidvania structure called Foldervania, where players explore and unlock new areas. This unique approach to progression is innovative.

Emotions:
- Warmth (weight 0.16): The cozy story and loving atmosphere, particularly the relationship between Eli and Lucien, create a warm and healing experience. Players feel warmth from the benevolent and touching depiction of love and growing old together.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.09): Players enjoy the sweet story and fun mini games, as well as navigating a computer interface within the game. The consistent polish makes the experience thoroughly enjoyable.
- Moved (weight 0.09): The emotional journey of the characters, especially the 57-year love story and bittersweet family moments, tugs at heartstrings. The beautiful relationship between the couple deeply moves players.
- Happiness (weight 0.05): The overall heartwarming experience and reading sincere messages and confessions left by Lucien bring happiness to players.
- Sadness (weight 0.05): The slightly sad story and emotional moments cause players to cry several times during the game.
- Love (weight 0.05): Reviewers express strong love for the game, stating it stole their hearts.
- Anticipation (weight 0.05): Players look forward to discovering Ellie and Lucien's story and expect to shed a tear or two while continuing to play.
- Heartwarming (weight 0.02): The sweet and moving story provides a heartwarming experience.
- Moved to tears (weight 0.02): The ending of the game is particularly moving, bringing players to tears.
- Relaxation (weight 0.02): The comfortable gameplay experience allows players to relax.
- Bittersweetness (weight 0.02): The emotional story combined with its short length creates a bittersweet feeling.
- Relief (weight 0.02): The save and reference system prevents players from getting lost, providing relief.
- Sadness/moved (weight 0.02): The story caused the reviewer to cry, evoking a mix of sadness and being moved.
- Touched (weight 0.02): The story is touching and serves as an ode to love.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.02): Satisfying minigames contribute to a sense of satisfaction.
- Calm (weight 0.02): The game's calm pace and perfect rhythm induce a calm state.
- Poignancy (weight 0.02): The game is described as autumn in a bottle, capturing the quintessence of life that was beautiful, evoking poignancy.
- Charmed (weight 0.02): The charming desktop explorer and heartwarming story leave players charmed.
- Endearment (weight 0.02): The little babies at the end are super cute, fostering endearment.
- Sweetness (weight 0.02): The game is incredibly sweet and personal, creating a sense of sweetness.}