What are your memories of birthday parties past? Do you remember the fun you had? The food you ate? The wonders of the games you played with friends and family? In Come To My Party, by SIMSANG YOON, your goal isn’t to have the best party ever, but to merely get a birthday party for people to come to. That’s a bit much, but we’ll roll with it. This “dark comedy” visual novel is in the works right now, but the Version 2.0 demo has been announced for Steam Next Fest, so you’ll get to see how things are evolving. Details below:

“Set in South Korea in 1999, Come to my Party! follows Jimin, a 10-year-old middle child who is used to sharing just about everything, from hand-me-down clothes to the rice straight out of her bowl, while often feeling overlooked between her siblings. When her mother promises her a birthday party on one condition, becoming class president, Jimin sets out to win over her classmates and finally get something she can call her own.

Make friends, navigate classroom politics, and uncover the stories behind Jimin’s colorful classmates through choices that shape her path toward 12 different endings, with interactive mini-games and everyday moments inspired by growing up in South Korea balancing childhood humor with the messier emotions of family, friendship, and growing up.”

And lest you think that this game doesn’t have much to offer you, you’ll find the features paint a much different picture:

12 Endings, Your Choice – Every choice shapes Jimin’s friendships, conversations, and path toward one of 12 different endings. Will Jimin be able to have her coveted birthday party?

Immerse Yourself in 90s South Korea – Relive late-90s childhood through immersive mini-games, schoolyard gossip, and everyday moments inspired by growing up in Korea.

Classmates, Secrets, and Drama – Build relationships with classmates, from the shy Eunji to the mysterious Daeun, all carrying their own personalities, struggles, and stories beneath the surface.

Always Stuck in the Middle – Navigate family pressure, sibling comparisons, and the quiet feeling of always being overlooked.

Lighthearted Humor, Deeply Rooted Emotions – Experience the bittersweet memories of childhood and tangled emotions, often immediately followed by Jimin’s persevering humor and charm. Experience emotional whiplash as you find yourself tearing up from both laughing and crying.

Handcrafted with Heart – Come to My Party! is a deeply personal coming-of-age story created by a solo developer, featuring entirely hand-crafted art and storytelling with no AI-generated content.

Surprising, huh? You can see just how well the party attempt goes when the game drops later on. But in the meantime, be on the lookout for the demo, and wishlist the game on Steam!