Cute Knight

Did You Know?

• The original game was released online on December 31, 2005.
• The expanded version Cute Knight Deluxe was available at retail.

Gameplay

Cute Knight is a life simulation and role-playing game in which the player controls Michiko from age 18 to 21. Her stats influence her performance in tasks and combat, and together with key events determine which jobs become available. The game ends after three years unless a special event or Michiko's dream stat reaching zero triggers an earlier conclusion; the latter always yields a bad ending based on her stats and triggered events. Tasks generally improve stats and, if completed successfully in a day, often provide money. Each task occupies one week of game time unless interrupted by an annual event, which lasts a variable number of days. Some annual events include mini-games that can unlock key events or grant items, money, or stat boosts. Initially few tasks are available, but more appear through key events or prolonged work at a location. Certain jobs may be removed by key events or a high sin stat. Combat takes place in a multi-level dungeon where time passes as the player moves. The player may defeat a monster or attempt to tame it. Killing a living creature increases sin, which decreases by working at the church or doctor's. Combat is turn-based and uses magic point-based charms tied to nine elements, including the classical four. If Michiko's hit points reach zero, she is automatically rescued; there is no death, but she may need to pay for recovery, and the dream meter depletes during recovery, potentially leading to a bad ending.

Reception

Erin Bell of GameZebo rated Cute Knight 4 out of 5 stars, praising that it allows the player to role-play Michiko by choosing activities like cooking or cleaning rather than forcing traditional RPG conventions, describing it as a short-story version of such games. Bell called it a great casual game that strips away weightiness while staying true to its RPG roots, making it easy to play in short spurts. She noted the graphics as mediocre and found the tasks repetitive, wishing for mini-games to break the monotony. Cute Knight was a nominee for Yahoo! Games Most Innovative Casual Game of 2006 and received other nominations and awards from various sites.