Playing Shroomchitect reminds me of caring for my childhood Tamagotchi

My Tamagotchi (my Tamagotchi) and I have been inseparable for the majority of my childhood. I doted over my virtual sprite, feeding it and cleaning up after its messes — I was basically glued to the tiny toy. The orange model I owned was my favorite, and I wore the keychain on my right hand like an oversize ring for much of the 1990s. It was a constant companion, I used to fidget and then swing the keychain around in my hand, waiting for the next notification. At that time, five minutes seemed like an eternity.

However, one fateful morning I hit that Tamagotchi way too hard. The Tamagotchi flew right off of my finger, hitting the wall directly. That was it. I was unable to get another one from my parents because it was already dead. For years, I’ve attempted to replicate that sensation of tending to passive little sprites. And I’ve finally found something like it in a very small game on Itch.io, called Shroomchitect.

Designed by PUNKCAKE Délicieux, Shroomchitect is an atmospheric sim game where players are given a tiny mushroom inhabited by three to five “Shroomies.” These Shroomies vibe under the shade of their mushroom, ready to be given directions. They have various needs (which are tracked via meters) and caring for them requires directing them to eat, sleep, forage for materials, and chat — the last of which is absolutely adorable because they get little thought bubbles like “Elliot was so fun to talk to!”

Image: PUNKCAKE Délicieux

In this sense they’re much like Tamagotchi, but appropriate for an adult. This is because when I tried again to play with Tamagotchi, I was really put off by the loud and frequent beeping reminds. (I’m also now much more sympathetic to my parents.) Shroomies’ needs are much more interesting: They can build some structures onto their mushroom, as well as campfires and beds. You can grow your own food with their help, and they will add an extra layer of intimacy to any relationship that you have.

They are soothing and have beautiful aesthetics. It’s like drinking tea. The sounds of the Shroomies talking to each other or snoring are tiny musical notes. The background loops passive sounds from nature. Pixel art is simple and cute.

A hook is also included in the game. Although foraging is used primarily to gather food and other materials, foraging can sometimes lead players to another mushroom. This opens up a new “game,” with new Shroomies to manage. If you get bored of one Shroomie, there are many menu options that will allow you to access the other. Top this off with the fact that caring for them is less terrifying than Tamagotchi — they don’t die if you leave them unattended — and you have a perfect, chill formula.

It all adds up to an atmospheric experience that feels like having tiny virtual companions; all without the fear of breaking a physical object — given that I still remember it, the death of my Tamagotchi was probably a core memory — or being bothered by their incessant beeps. They live inside my computer in tiny fungi that I can visit anytime.