The Parenting Simulator is an engaging and humorous interactive novel written by Matt Simpson, featuring approximately 189,000 words. It offers a slice-of-life experience where players influence the story through their decisions. The game is entirely text-based, relying solely on the player's imagination, with no graphics or sound effects to distract from the narrative.
Within the game, players will navigate through more than 60 different scenes that depict various moments in their child's life, ranging from significant milestones to everyday events. The story covers the entire journey of raising a child, starting from birth and progressing all the way to high school graduation. Players will encounter challenges such as potty training, dealing with bullies, and preparing for the driving test.
The game emphasizes the importance of being a positive role model, as every action taken by the player can have lasting consequences on their child's development and the overall story. Maintaining relationships with friends and family is also a key aspect, allowing players to choose whether to nurture these bonds or let them fade to avoid future emotional pain. The choices made during the game influence how the child's personality and future unfold.
Ultimately, The Parenting Simulator offers numerous different endings, allowing players to discover what kind of individuals their children will become based on their decisions. It's a lighthearted yet meaningful exploration of the joys and challenges of parenting, driven entirely by the choices players make along the way.