Some games entertain you. Some games comfort you. And then, every so often, a game hits you right in the gut and drags you out the other side feeling better about life than you did before… In this Anxiety Puppy review, I look at the good, the bad, and the very, very beautiful.
Anxiety Puppy is a cosy, story-driven point-and-click game developed by 小狗工作室 and published by Erabit. It’s a short experience; I finished it in just over an hour, but one that carries a surprising amount of emotional weight, warmth, and meaning.
You play as a young woman whose name is never given, as she struggles to navigate early adulthood, finding work, coping with workplace pressure, and feeling increasingly isolated. It’s something that I’m sure a lot of us cosy gamers over 40 can look back and empathise with; and probably still struggle with!
Exhausted after another long day, which ended in a slamming from her boss, she falls asleep at home and finds herself pulled into a dreamlike world. There, she meets a small black puppy who explains that she’s trapped, and that the only way to leave is to repair the torn and broken pages of a book filled with memories from her childhood.
The puppy, however, represents something far more significant than it first appears, and the game asks whether she’s ready to understand and confront that truth.
Anxiety Puppy Review: When Anxiety Feels Uncomfortably Familiar
Had I not won a copy of Anxiety Puppy on a lovely streamer’s recent giveaway, it likely would have slipped under my radar (thank you, HelloSammyLou!). I’m very glad it didn’t, especially as I happened to play it on a day when my own anxiety was already close to the surface. In that moment, this game felt like exactly the right thing.
The story will feel instantly recognisable to many adults, particularly those who struggle with performance and perfectionism at work. The pressure to perform, the feeling of not being good enough, unrealistic expectations from others, and that constant internal voice questioning your worth are all here, and handled with honesty.
What I especially loved was the shift from the real world into the dreamscape of childhood memories. Each chapter unfolds across illustrated “pages” from the main character’s past, with the black puppy acting as a guide. While the task appears simple (fix the broken pages), the emotional journey underneath runs much deeper.
Without straying too far into spoiler territory for this Anxiety Puppy review, the game makes it clear that healing isn’t about erasing anxiety or curing it. Instead, it’s about recognising it, understanding where it came from, and learning how to coexist with it. That message lands beautifully by the end.
What makes this work so well is the care taken with these moments. The story unfolds at a slow enough pace that it gives you time to sit with what you’re feeling without pushing you too far.
Gameplay: Simple and Accessible
Gameplay is largely built around classic point-and-click interactions. You explore environments, interact with objects, and piece together memories at a relaxed pace. There are also a handful of light mini-puzzles, including simple jigsaws and timing-based challenges.
Most of these fit the tone of the game well. I did find one puzzle, the piano sequence, a little difficult at first, until I realised it was simply about timing the notes with the keys shown below. Once that clicked, it was straightforward enough, so it’s not really a downside to report in this Anxiety Puppy review.
There are three chapters in total, each split into two sections. One nice quality-of-life touch is the Chapter Select option on the main menu, which lets you replay individual sections at any time. This makes it easy to go back to if you’re struggling with anxiety and just want to play through a chapter, which may help.
Artwork and Music That Carry the Heart of the Game
The artwork is absolutely incredible, and it made me cry.
Everything is hand-drawn, expressive, and full of feeling. The visual storytelling does a huge amount of emotional work, often saying more than the text ever could. Each environment feels carefully composed, with colour, framing, and small details reinforcing the emotional state of the story.
The soundtrack also complements the artwork perfectly. Together, the art and music create a space that feels safe to sit in, even when the subject matter hits close to home.
A special mention goes out to the final sequence artwork. It was so beautiful that it took my breath away, and I am hoping the devs release some purchasable PC wallpapers to download!
A Note on the English Translation
The only notable drawback at present is the English translation. Some dialogue is awkward or grammatically off, which can briefly pull you out of the experience.
That said, the meaning is always clear, and the emotional core of the game remains intact. The visuals do so much of the storytelling that the message still lands strongly, but with improved English optimisation, the experience would be even more immersive.
Anxiety Puppy Review Verdict: Is This Game Worth Playing?
Overall, I’d give Anxiety Puppy an 8/10, with clear potential to score higher as localisation improves.
This is a game I’d highly recommend to anyone who:
- Lives with anxiety
- Has struggled with work or early adulthood pressures
- Cares about thoughtful mental health storytelling
- Loves beautifully illustrated indie games
Anxiety Puppy doesn’t treat anxiety as an enemy to defeat. Instead, it offers understanding, hope, and reassurance, and by the end, it left me feeling lighter, calmer, and strangely uplifted. It’s a game I can see myself returning to on hard days, and one I’m very glad I didn’t miss.
Anxiety Puppy is out now on PC, and you can pick it up on Steam for £4.29.
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