- The Vision: A “Zen” room-decorating experience where your aesthetic choices dictate the trajectory of your entire life.
- The Hook: Branching narratives based on objects you keep or discard—from childhood dreams to adult realities.
- The Developers: A trio of Australian industry veterans balancing parenthood and game design.
- Platforms: PC (Steam), PS5, Nintendo Switch, and the Nintendo Switch 2.
What if the toys you kept in your childhood bedroom determined the career you chose or the person you eventually married? This is the poignant premise of Momento, a narrative adventure that blends the tactile joy of decorating with the emotional weight of a life well-lived. Following an “Overwhelmingly Positive” response to its Steam Next Fest demo, publishers have confirmed a full multi-platform release for Q2 2026.
Objects as Anchors of Destiny
Momento asks a simple yet profound question: “What do you want to be when you grow up?” As players progress from a childhood nursery to a young adult’s first apartment and beyond, they must decide which items to carry forward and which to leave behind.
- Meaningful Decorating: Choosing to keep a telescope might nudge your character toward a career in science, while a discarded sketchbook could signal a lost passion.
- No Wrong Choices: The developers emphasize that there are no “failure” states. Whether you turn your room into a cluttered nest of memories or a minimalist sanctuary, each choice simply weaves a different thread into your life story.
- Zen Interactions: Between the heavy life choices, players can engage in meditative activities like wallpapering, rearranging furniture, and—most importantly—petting their in-game cats, dogs, or lizards.
A Labor of Love from “Parent-Devs”
The soul of Momento stems from its creators. Developed by Fat Alien Cat and Nomo Studio, the project is a collaboration between three Brisbane-based veterans: Jazmin Phillips, Jessica Lyons, and Julian Baiboer.
With over 15 years of experience in the animation and VFX industries, the trio channeled their expertise into a project they could build while raising their own children. This “parent-dev” perspective shines through in the game’s focus on the fleeting nature of time and the quiet beauty of everyday moments.
“We wanted to create a game that acts as a quiet sanctuary—a place where players can pause, reflect, and discover the small joys that define us,” the team shared.
Game Specification: Momento
| Category | Details |
| Developer | Fat Alien Cat & Nomo Studio (Australia) |
| Publisher | Silver Lining Interactive |
| Genre | Cozy Decorator / Branching Narrative |
| Release Window | Q2 2026 |
| Key Features | Multiple Endings, Creative Mode, Hidden Easter Eggs |
| Steam Status | Demo available (Overwhelmingly Positive) |
The “Unpacking” Evolution?
Critics and players are already drawing comparisons to the indie hit Unpacking, but Momento adds a layer of agency that feels fresh. While Unpacking told a set story through objects, Momento gives you the power to write that story yourself.
With its lush visuals, emotional soundtrack, and deep replayability, Momento is shaping up to be the standout “cozy” hit of 2026.
Steam Store Page: Momento on Steam
