Exe Tries to Save the Holidays

About Exe Tries to Save the Holidays

Exe Tries to Save the Holidays is a single-player indie story set in the same universe as Friendship Test. Released in 2025, it serves as a follow-up, dropping players into a holiday season chaos where protagonist Exe accidentally triggers a power outage. Tasked with restoring cheer, you’ll navigate a lighthearted narrative focused on gift-giving, character interactions, and fixing minor conflicts. The game leans heavily on dialogue choices and quirky humor, with Spike, a supportive but hands-off companion, accompanying Exe. Best approached after completing Friendship Test, it’s a cozy, bite-sized adventure with no combat or complex systems.

Gameplay

The gameplay revolves around managing Exe’s interactions with NPCs, who each have unique mini-quests involving holiday tasks or personal dilemmas. You’ll collect materials, craft gifts, and make dialogue choices that subtly shift relationships. The UI is minimal: a point-and-click interface for navigation and quick access to inventory. Sessions typically last 30 minutes to an hour, with no real time pressure. While the story is linear, side tasks like optimizing gift combinations add light strategy. Spike’s presence is mostly passive, offering snarky commentary. The pace is slow, prioritizing whimsical banter and warm holiday vibes over action or puzzles.

What Players Think

PlayPile community ratings average 4.1/5, with 83% completing the game. Average playtime is 5.2 hours, and 64% of players call it “feel-good” or “whimsical.” Achievement completion sits at 92%, with 47% earning 100% trophies by finding all hidden holiday decorations. Critic reviews highlight the charm but note a “predictable” 12-hour story arc. Player moods skew cheerful (68%), though 22% cite “tedious inventory management” as a minor pain point. One user wrote, “Perfect holiday vibes if you miss these characters. A bit short, but heartwarming.”

PlayPile's Take

It’s a worthwhile detour for Friendship Test fans. Priced at $14.99, it’s a low-risk purchase for those craving a cozy, character-driven story. The game lacks deep mechanics but excels in atmosphere and nostalgia. If you enjoyed the original’s humor and relationships, this adds a festive cap. Skip if you prefer fast-paced games or want substantial new content. The 100% trophy is easy, but the story wraps up in 8 hours, making it ideal for a weekend playthrough.

Storyline

“Exe tries to save the holidays” is an extra Friendship Test story that takes place a few months after the events of the game. In it you play as Exe, who has accidentally caused a power outage and begins a journey to make everyone happy to make up for her mistake. She is joined by Spike, who doesn’t help much but offers her the emotional support she very much needs. Meet up with familiar faces to see how their lives are doing after their adventures in Friendship Test. Give them gifts, help them with their personal struggles and make sure Exe interacts with the least amount of life forms as possible, cause she is not having a good time. It is recommended that you only play this game AFTER you have completed Friendship Test!