Day of the Devs 2024 reveal Petal Runner combines Game Boy aesthetics with RPG and slice-of-life gameplay

Out of all of the Day of the Devs premieres, Petal Runner is the one that enchanted me the most. It combines a beautiful, pink and purple palette with Game Boy graphics, and a fascinating world to boot. Set in a cyberpunk-inspired world, players join Cali and Kira as they explore Sapphire Valley. It’s a story about growing up and letting go, according to the developers, and it promises to be an emotional journey.

Once the player becomes a certified Petal Runner, they’ll explore the valley, make new friends, play mini-games, and grow in this slice-of-life/RPG hybrid. It’s a game with a simple design, and a lot of heart, and promises to be a Summer Game Fest/Day of the Devs 2024 standout.

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World Premiere Petal Runner shows off a gorgeous retro style and a coming-of-age story

If you're a fan of classic-era RPGs, this game is for you (Image via Nano Park)

A Petal Runner is a specialized delivery person, and they bring the required flower-based resources to people, so they can have these digital pets brought to life. It feels like a vibe similar to Pokemon and Tamagotchi, which makes sense given that this is, according to the developers, a love letter to Game Boy Color-era RPGs.

Cali and Kira travel around Sapphire Valley, delivering to customers, meeting new people, and taking part in everyday life. It’s an important job, making sure people get their beloved pets summoned into the real world. It’s more than just a cute RPG though — it’s a slice-of-life story about growing up.

Petal Runner has a charm and visual brilliance that —for me— is unmatched by the rest of the games presented during Day of the Devs 2024. There is a wealth of these adorable digital pets in the world, such that it looks like the player can collect information on them, similar to a Pokedex.

The full story of the game isn’t known yet, but with the bright, pastel color palette and dystopian setting, it’s likely to also have a serious, emotional story. It would only make sense. Petal Runner does not have a release date yet, but it can be wishlisted on Steam right now.

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With the 35th anniversary of the Game Boy being this year, it’s the perfect time to reveal such a classically-inspired RPG. This game does not have a release date yet, but make sure to stay tuned to Sportskeeda for this and other Summer Games Fest announcements.