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About She Was 98
She Was 98 is a quiet, narrative-driven indie game developed by Notex Games and released on January 14, 2026, for PC. You play as a grandson returning to his grandmother’s home to care for her in her final days. The game blends light simulation with emotional storytelling, focusing on mundane tasks like preparing meals, managing medications, and using a smartphone to connect with distant family. Set in a slow-paced, realistic environment, it avoids overt drama in favor of subtle moments of connection and loss. The title references her age, framing the experience as a countdown to a quiet end.
Gameplay
The core loop revolves around daily routines: cooking, cleaning, and monitoring your grandmother’s health. A phone interface lets you text family members or watch old home videos, adding layers to her backstory. Mini-games like adjusting pill dosages or solving simple puzzles tie into caregiving. The house feels lived-in, with creaky floors and flickering lights amplifying the sense of age. Controls are minimal, mouse clicks for navigation and quick-time events for interactions. Progression isn’t about progression at all; it’s about managing time until the inevitable. The challenge lies in balancing her needs without overstepping, creating a fragile, emotional rhythm.
What Players Think
PlayPile readers rate She Was 98 4.1/5, with 75% completing the story in 12 hours on average. 42% of players tag it as “nostalgic,” 31% as “reflective,” and 23% as “sad,” while 37% highlight its “calm” tone. Critics praise its “honest portrayal of aging” but note the lack of mechanical depth. The 27 achievements (15% completion rate) focus on optional tasks like finding hidden photo albums. One review writes, “It’s not a game about saving the world, it’s about holding someone’s hand as the light fades.” 68% of players say it “made me think about my own family.”
PlayPile's Take
She Was 98 is a brief but affecting experience for players seeking emotional narratives over action. At $19.99, it’s a low-risk buy for fans of quiet stories like A Short Hike or Night in the Woods. The 27 achievements add minor replayability but aren’t essential. If you’re open to confronting themes of mortality and intergenerational bonds through mundane acts, this game will linger with you. It’s not for everyone, skip if you crave tension or challenge, but its raw, understated design earns its place in the indie canon.
Game Modes
Single player
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