For those who have experienced a twinge of sadness when parting with an old gadget or cherished possession, you might find a connection with Robot Hospice. Created by Buttercup Garden, a Japanese indie development collective led by Dokokashira Doko, this brief adventure places players in the role of Midori, a new hire tasked with caring for five beloved robots during their final days at the Robot Hospice.
Following a concept similar to Thunder Lotus’s Spiritfarer, Robot Hospice involves nurturing terminally ill characters. Throughout the experience, you’ll uncover the history of each robot and their final wishes, which you can help fulfill to ease their passing. While mortality is unavoidable, your decisions shape the farewell you share with them.
As revealed in a Game*Spark interview with Dokokashira Doko, Robot Hospice draws inspiration from Kazuo Ishiguro’s science fiction novel Klara and the Sun, where a robot named Klara goes to great lengths to care for her ailing human companion, Josie.
Originally conceived as a story set in a future where humans and robots were engaged in conflict, the game’s tone shifted to a warmer, more heartfelt approach after Doko attended a talk by No Case Should Remain Unsolved creator Somi at the 2024 Indie Developers Conference. Learning of Somi’s struggle to create a sorrowful game in a time filled with anger, Doko adjusted the game’s direction to align with his personal vision.
Presented with nostalgic pixel art and 8-bit melodies, Robot Hospice offers a journey that typically lasts one to two hours. The game is slated for a free release in 2026 on Windows via Steam, with plans for a free web version as well. A free demo is currently available on Steam. Please note that Buttercup Garden has acknowledged using AI to generate some in-game scripts and translations.
Mido