2022's indie darling Stray took the gaming world by storm over the summer, achieving a level of success of which indie developers can usually only dream. Now that the public's attention has been drawn to so-called "animal simulators" by the massively popular and highly memeable cat game, could it contribute to the success of similar indie titles? One such game is The Spirit and the Mouse, coming to PC and Nintendo Switch on September 26.
There's a great deal these titles share in common, from the adorable animal protagonist to the exploration-driven platforming and puzzle-solving gameplay. It's certain to scratch the same itch as Stray while offering a unique experience all its own. Whereas Stray was post-apocalyptic and melancholy, The Spirit and the Mouse promises to be cozy and wholesome. Mice may not have as strong a presence on social media as cats, but Lila's adorable design and tiny squeaks will bring a smile to the face of anyone that plays this title.
The heartwarming description on the game's Steam page reads: "Bring kindness and light to the people of Sainte-et-Claire as Lila—a tiny mouse with a big heart! Explore a quaint French village, make electrifying new friends, and do good deeds for those in need in this lush narrative adventure game." During a thunderstorm, Lila becomes unlikely allies with the Spirit guardian Lumion and gains new powers that turn her into an electric mouse. Together, their mission is to restore balance to the village and return Lumion to the sky. Players will be able to unlock new abilities as Lila explores the town, completing objectives and collecting items from the humble perspective of a mouse.
Anyone that was an avid fan of flash games in the 2000s and 2010s will recognize the game's publisher, Armor Games Studios. Its website has been a free web gaming portal since 2004, and they have even sponsored the creation of notable titles in the world of flash games like Fancy Pants Adventures, GemCraft, and Crush the Castle. Now, Armor Games Studios works with anyone willing to pitch their project to help them develop their ideas into proper games. The Spirit and the Mouse now joins the likes of Pinstripe and Bear and Breakfast as games that carry on the independent spirit of web game development.