My Buddy is a compact horror title that focuses on how one unusual presence can alter a simple daily routine. The game begins with an ordinary setting that feels safe, but this calm is disrupted when the buddy appears. From that point, the experience shifts into a series of choices and interactions where the player must decide how to deal with this figure. The strength of the game lies in the tension created not by complex systems, but by the uncertainty of what the buddy will do.

Core mechanics

The gameplay is designed to be minimal yet purposeful. Standard movement is handled through walking, sprinting, and crouching, while a flashlight helps the player manage dark areas. Interaction with objects provides progression, whether that means collecting items or opening new routes. These mechanics are simple enough to learn quickly but carry weight because they affect how the buddy responds. Each movement or choice becomes part of the survival strategy.

Player objectives

During each session, players cycle through a consistent set of activities:

•         Exploring the house and locating interactive items
•         Using light sources to reveal hidden spaces
•         Watching the buddy and adapting to its reactions
•         Deciding how to handle the presence of the buddy
•         Triggering different endings through these decisions

This loop creates a mixture of exploration and consequence, where ordinary actions like searching a room can lead to very different outcomes.

Storytelling approach

My Buddy does not rely on long dialogue or scripted exposition. Instead, the environment and the buddy’s behavior serve as the main sources of story. Endings vary depending on how the player interacts with the buddy, ranging from routine completion to more unusual or final resolutions. These outcomes shape the interpretation of the buddy itself, turning it into a symbol open to multiple readings depending on player choices.

Replay and value

Because the game is brief, replayability is central to its design. Multiple endings and the unpredictability of the buddy’s behavior encourage players to experiment with new strategies. Each attempt highlights different aspects of the environment or changes the meaning of small actions. By making tension and choice the foundation, My Buddy transforms a short play session into a series of experiments that continue to engage over repeated runs.