Eternia: Pet Whisperer

Eternia: Pet Whisperer is a short visual novel adventure set in a quirky animal sanctuary where pets can talk. Players adopt a pet by conversing with various animals over a series of days, with each creature offering unique stories and personalities. The game features a looping narrative structure allowing players to experience different pet routes without replaying previous dialogues, though it’s noted for its brevity, minimal sound design, and abrupt endings.

Eternia: Pet Whisperer: Review

Introduction

In the vast landscape of indie visual novels, Eternia: Pet Whisperer stands out as a quirky, bite-sized experience that blends humor, whimsy, and a touch of existential musing. Developed by Shirakumo Games and released in May 2021, this game invites players into a world where animals at a shelter can talk—and they have a lot to say. Inspired by the absurdist charm of Hatoful Boyfriend, Eternia: Pet Whisperer offers a unique, if somewhat uneven, exploration of companionship and the human-animal bond. This review will dissect the game’s development, narrative, gameplay, and legacy to determine its place in the pantheon of indie gaming.

Development History & Context

Eternia: Pet Whisperer was created by a small team at Shirakumo Games, led by Nicolas Hafner (known as Shinmera), during a game jam. The team, consisting of just three members—Yukari Hafner, Frédéric Tarabout, and Tim White—crafted the game as a side project while working on their larger ARPG, Kandria. This context is crucial, as the game’s brevity and experimental nature reflect its origins as a jam project rather than a fully fleshed-out commercial release.

The game was released on May 5, 2021, for Windows, macOS, and Linux, priced at a modest $2.99 on Steam. Its development coincided with a surge in popularity for visual novels and dating sims, particularly those with unconventional premises. The game’s inspiration from Hatoful Boyfriend is evident in its anthropomorphized animal characters and lighthearted tone, though it lacks the latter’s deeper narrative complexity.

Narrative & Thematic Deep Dive

The premise of Eternia: Pet Whisperer is simple: you play as a person who visits the Rainbow Dome animal shelter to adopt a pet. The twist? The animals can talk, and each has a distinct personality and backstory. The narrative unfolds over a series of days, with each day allowing you to interact with one of six animals: a cockatoo, a frill-necked lizard, a sphynx cat, a koala bear, a pair of rat brothers, and a border collie.

The dialogue is where the game shines, offering witty, often absurd conversations that range from the mundane to the philosophical. The cockatoo, for instance, is a party animal who discusses nightlife and socializing, while the border collie is a neurotic overachiever. The koala, hailing from Scotland, is obsessed with fitness and health. These interactions are charming and occasionally laugh-out-loud funny, though they sometimes feel disjointed due to the game’s brevity.

The narrative structure is linear, with each animal’s route culminating in adoption. The game includes a loop mechanic that allows players to restart the story without re-reading previous dialogue, a clever touch that enhances replayability. However, the abrupt endings and lack of deeper narrative payoff leave something to be desired. As critic Samantha Lienhard noted, the transitions between disbelief at talking animals and acceptance feel rushed, and the endings could use more substance.

Gameplay Mechanics & Systems

Eternia: Pet Whisperer is a traditional visual novel with minimal gameplay mechanics. Players navigate a menu-driven interface, selecting which animal to interact with each day. The dialogue is presented in a straightforward manner, with no branching paths or meaningful choices—your interactions are predetermined based on the animal you choose.

The game’s UI is clean and functional, though it lacks the polish of more polished visual novels. The loop mechanic is a standout feature, allowing players to experience multiple routes without tedious repetition. However, the lack of meaningful choices or consequences limits the game’s replayability beyond seeing all the animal routes.

World-Building, Art & Sound

The game’s setting is a futuristic animal shelter called the Rainbow Dome, where animals possess human-like intelligence and speech. The world-building is minimal, with the focus squarely on the characters rather than the environment. The art style is cartoonish and colorful, with expressive character designs that enhance the humor and charm of the dialogue.

The soundtrack is one of the game’s strongest elements, featuring a pleasant, upbeat score that complements the lighthearted tone. However, the lack of ambient sounds or voice acting leaves the world feeling somewhat sterile. The visuals, while cute, are static and lack animation, which may disappoint players expecting more dynamic presentations.

Reception & Legacy

Eternia: Pet Whisperer received mixed reviews upon release. The sole critic review on MobyGames gave it a 69%, praising its humor and soundtrack but criticizing its brevity and lack of depth. Player reviews on Steam, however, are overwhelmingly positive, with a 100% positive rating based on 15 reviews as of October 2025. This disconnect suggests that the game resonates more with casual players and fans of quirky, short-form experiences than with critics seeking deeper narrative or mechanical complexity.

The game’s legacy is tied to its niche appeal. It has not had a significant impact on the industry, but it has found a dedicated fanbase among those who enjoy absurdist humor and anthropomorphic animal stories. Its influence is more felt in the indie scene, where it serves as an example of a successful game jam project that leveraged a unique premise to stand out.

Conclusion

Eternia: Pet Whisperer is a charming, if flawed, experiment in visual novel storytelling. Its witty dialogue and endearing characters make it a enjoyable, if brief, experience, but its lack of depth and abrupt endings prevent it from achieving greatness. As a game jam project, it succeeds in delivering a fun, unique concept, but it feels incomplete as a standalone title.

In the grand tapestry of video game history, Eternia: Pet Whisperer occupies a small but memorable niche. It may not be a masterpiece, but it is a delightful curiosity that offers a few smiles and a momentary escape from the mundane. For fans of Hatoful Boyfriend or those seeking a quick, humorous diversion, it is worth a look. However, players seeking deeper narratives or more substantial gameplay may find it lacking.

Ultimately, Eternia: Pet Whisperer is a testament to the power of small, passionate projects to bring joy and creativity to the gaming world. It may not change the industry, but it certainly leaves a paw print on the hearts of those who play it.