Housemates -v1.01- -huli-

In the game Housemates by developer Huli, the story centers on a world suddenly gripped by a mysterious "lust virus". You play as a college student who finds himself quarantined inside a house with two mature women: his landlady and a housemate. The Core Narrative

Branching Paths: The game features multiple endings (typically three) based on the player’s choices and which housemate they prioritize. Artistic Direction and Production

What it does well

The visual novel format lends itself perfectly to this. The art direction in Housemates typically emphasizes warmth and familiarity. The backgrounds are not mere backdrops but active participants in the storytelling; a messy kitchen implies a hectic week, while a neatly set table suggests anticipation. This grounded reality creates a vacuum that the characters rush to fill. Without the distraction of an epic plot, the player’s attention is drawn entirely to the nuance of interaction, making the stakes of a simple conversation feel as weighty as a boss battle.

They held a house meeting. The retired detective, Elara, was the first to say it aloud. "The house isn't just learning us. It's becoming one of us." Housemates -v1.01- -Huli-

2. Core Concept: Housemate Simulation

At its core, Housemates v1.01 models the interpersonal and logistical dynamics of cohabitation. Unlike earlier roommate simulators (e.g., The Sims’ housemate AI), this version emphasizes:

The game closes. When you relaunch, your save file is renamed to HULI_SAVE_1 and cannot be deleted without reinstalling the OS. In the game Housemates by developer Huli ,

  1. The Calendar Glitch: Dates in the in-game phone shift from the current month to October 17th—the day a previous housemate (Huli) allegedly disappeared.
  2. New Dialogue Flags: Mika starts asking, "Do you ever feel like someone is standing behind you when you're alone in the kitchen?"
  3. The Mirror Mechanic: In v1.0, mirrors were decorative. In v1.01, interacting with a mirror triggers a screen distortion. After the third look, the reflection winks—even when your character doesn’t.

Boundaries: the invisible architecture

Boundaries are the house’s blueprint: quiet hours, guest policies, borrowing rules. They’re fragile at first and get reinforced through conversation and example. Saying “no” politely, sharing expectations up front, and respecting personal space—these pragmatic acts prevent a thousand small resentments. Boundaries aren’t walls; they’re a shared map for moving through common life without collisions.