Momotype

Momotype is a brief, free visual novel from developer Rimatoad, self-released on Steam in December 2021. The player looks after a virtual pet named Momo, which is inspired by Tamagotchi toys and exists in the real world within the game.

Gameplay follows the visual novel format: the player reads dialogue and occasionally makes choices, such as deciding what Momo eats or what TV programs he watches, though these decisions do not affect the ending. The game has three endings, which occur in a fixed sequence across multiple playthroughs. Each playthrough spans three in-game days, during which the player talks to Momo, feeds him, and provides entertainment. At night, the player experiences nightmares. On the third day, Momo mutates.

The story is set about a hundred years in the future, in New Ribosome City. A plague has devastated the world, and birth rates are extremely low. To encourage parental instincts, the government funds a program in which humans care for real-world virtual pets called "monotypes," each named Momo. These creatures are developed by Imitato Corp., based on pre-plague Tamagotchi toys. The player, an Imitato Corp. employee, is among those selected to test the program for a week.

Critics found the game intriguing. Zoey Handley of Destructoid noted that Momo’s emotional demands "go from cute to existentially traumatizing rather quickly," calling it something that "almost needs to be seen to be believed." Joel Couture of Indie Games Plus praised its take on virtual pet care, highlighting that the player must address both Momo’s physical needs (like feeding) and emotional needs. Nathan Navrotzki of Spieletipps.de described it as a hidden gem, unsettling despite its cute look, and unsuitable for children, comparing it to *Doki Doki Literature Club*.