This Game made Me Cry in 10 Minutes - And I Mean That as a Compliment

Look, I've played a lot of game demos in my time, but I don't think I've ever teared up ten minutes into one. My Little Puppy—which is a misleading name, by the way, more on that in a second—is one of the most emotionally disarming little games I've come across in years. It's sweet. It's sad. It's unexpectedly hopeful. And it hit me right in the dog-loving soul.

You play as a dead corgi. Yep. A dead dog in doggie heaven. I know how that sounds, but stick with me. This corgi—who is as cute as a button with a little glowing halo—spends his time helping other dogs in heaven reunite with their humans when they arrive. Just that concept was enough to break me. I've had dogs all my life. I grew up with one. Lost a few. Loved them all. The thought of seeing them again someday? Cue the waterworks.

And just when I thought that was the whole game—this gentle, floaty walking sim full of beautiful reunions—the demo takes a turn. The corgi catches a familiar scent: his human. But they're not in heaven. So what does he do? He leaves. Yes, he leaves heaven to be with his human, Like any good dog WOULD do.

That's when the game really opens up. He enters an enchanted forest filled with fairies, frees one of them, and then goes on a magical mission to restore the world around him. He cleans the forest, revives a dried-up river, and brings a lifeless meadow back to bloom. All while avoiding creepy, looming creatures—massive figures who roam the land with sacks full of halos, suggesting they've… collected other dogs who wandered too far from heaven.

It's atmospheric, it's vibrant, it's genuinely tense in places—and, yes, it's still adorable. Oh, and did I mention you meet John Wick at one point? I kid you not. The game goes from heartstring-tugging to utterly surreal in the best possible way.

This demo completely blindsided me with how heartfelt and imaginative it is. My only complaint? The name. My Little Puppy makes it sound like a throwaway mobile game. It deserves something better. Something like "All Good Dogs Go to Heaven". Just saying.

Planned release is 2025. If you want to experience this little gem and help bring it to life, try the demo and add it to your wishlist here