Dead Pets: A Punk Rock Slice of Life Sim

Dead Pets is not a game for everyone, and it knows it. It’s raunchy, it’s weird, and it’s uncompromising in its feminist perspective. But for those willing to meet it on its own terms, it’s a rewarding experience—funny, heartfelt, and surprisingly poignant. Gordy is a genuinely flawed but lovable protagonist, and her bandmates are fleshed out with their own stories as well. The rhythm game is a blast, the minigames are consistently inventive, and the Adult Swim-style humor lands more often than not. The game has some minor bugs, and adding voice acting could have elevated the experience tremendously. The map also feels more restrictive than it should. But these are minor complaints against a game that succeeds at what it sets out to do. Triple Topping has created a unique experience that deserves to find its audience.

Dead Pets is an adventure through the struggles of adult life whilst keeping it fresh and entertaining. The devs have done a wonderful job of combining a number of game types to fit one expansive story. I’ve had a wonderful time playing this game and will continue to play until I reach the end of Gordy’s story. As a result, I have to give Dead Pets the Thumb Culture Gold Award. Check out the trailer below.

Through Gordy’s self-destruction, absurdist mini-games, and riot grrrl-fueled soundtrack, Dead Pets tackles feminism, mental health, and societal expectations with surprising nuance and bite. It doesn’t always stick to every gameplay note in my eyes, but emotionally, Dead Pets lands hard—proving that even on the worst days, there’s still music to play and jam to, friends to lean on, and another morning to stumble into headstrong after being a drunken mess.

Overall, it’s a fun experience, strange in just the right measure and, at many moments, genuinely emotional. Dead Pets: A Punk Rock Slice of Life Sim doesn’t aim for big twists or complex systems; its strength lies in turning everyday life, trauma, and growing up into something human, relatable, and easy to connect with. A small game in scale, but one with a big personality.