Homekeeping

Homekeeping begins with a seemingly simple job advertisement for a housekeeper: cleaning, cooking, and living with the homeowner in a secluded area. The main character, Rutire, accepts the job because she has few other options. The Fletcher family's house is far from the city, isolated, quiet, and somewhat old-fashioned—the kind of place where life unfolds at a slow pace.

The first few days pass quite smoothly. Players simply need to familiarize themselves with the house, perform assigned tasks, and learn to live in the new environment.

How to play Homekeeping

Most of the time in Homekeeping revolves around work, observation, and waiting, which repeat daily:

• Cleaning furniture and rooms
• Preparing meals with a simple fire-watching mechanism
• Organizing books, belongings, and papers in the house
• Moving between familiar areas

The game doesn't pressure the player. There are no countdown timers or urgent tasks. Everything unfolds in a very realistic rhythm, gradually familiarizing the player with the feeling of living together in this house.

The Storyline of Homekeeping

The noteworthy aspect of Homekeeping lies in the fact that the story isn't told directly but rather scattered through:

• Short dialogues with the female homeowner – a reclusive artist
• Household items: books, bills, paintings, letters, diaries
• Repetitive details include paint colors, old documents, and rarely used rooms

As the game progresses, players notice more details that don't fit the initial peaceful appearance. However, the game rarely explains them clearly, leaving players to piece together information from what they've seen and done.

Game Features

• Focuses on daily chores: cleaning and cooking are not just tasks, but the way the game guides the story.
• The main character has a limited perspective: Rutire doesn't know the whole truth, and neither does the player.
• The setting changes over time: weather, seasons, and atmosphere significantly influence the overall feel of the game.
• Prolonged silence: much of the experience is silent, only occasionally interrupted by a conversation or minor event.

Homekeeping is a slow-paced storytelling game, placing the player in the role of an ordinary person doing a very ordinary job in an extraordinary setting. The game doesn't try to impress with continuous action or climaxes but builds feeling through the rhythm of daily life, the environment, and fragmented pieces of information.

If you enjoy games where you discover the story through observation, deduction, and everyday experiences, Homekeeping is a worthwhile choice. If you want to move on to a different experience with a more enclosed space, faster pace, and an entirely new perspective, KIOSK is a noteworthy option to continue your journey.