Pull Stay, a beat ‘em tower defense game made solely by a single self-described shut-in is celebrating its full release after several years of development. Created by Nito Souji, a Japanese ‘Hikikomori,’ Pull Stay has been in full-time development for seven years, and released today (March 31) on Steam.

The game had previously been playable in Early Access, but according to developer, the game is now “basically completed,” although if the game gains popularity he plans to continue working on it. But more than just an impressive solo project, Pull Stay is making a statement about Hikikomori and NEET (Not in Employment Education or Training) culture, and the pressures of modern society.

Pull Stay, A Solo Game Project by Shut In, Celebrates Full Release

Pull Stay may look like some bizarre PS1-era game on first glance, but below the surface there’s a little more going on. You play as the robot protector of Susumu, a shut-in who relies on you for food, and protection from a horde of enemies trying to break down his door, and presumably force him to go outside.

To protect Susumu, you have to build traps, journey out to break into your neighbors homes for supplies, and then beat up the invaders as they come. The closest analogy I can think of to this game is it’s a tower defense game, with a beat ‘em up portion, and survival crafting just for good measure. But Pull Stay also acts as a kind of metaphor for the life of a Hikikomori – attacked from all sides by societal obligation which can at times seem bizarre and cruel.

Nito Souji has catalogued his development process on his YouTube. The Japanese dev has slowly attempted to beat his shut-in status, venturing outside more and more, and even relocating from Japan to Georgia (the country, not the US state) to make his lifestyle and career choice easier (and dodging some alleged tax troubles back).

Writing about the release of Pull Stay, Nito Souji posted the following on the game’s Steam page:

“I deeply thank everyone who has supported me through this long development journey.

My original plan for Pull Stay was basically completed (except for some Kickstarter rewards)
But if the game finds a lot more players, additional content might not be unthinkable I would say
(´・ω・｀;)”

You can pick up Pull Stay on Steam now. It’s currently 15% off to celebrate the release.

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