Emotional Labor Laboratory: A Rhythm-Platforming Adventure in a Virtual World

11/8/2026, 12:18:05 AM (JST)

Release date: 11/6/2026

Tags: #rhythm #visual-novel #adventure #2d-platformer #story-rich #anime #emotional #romance

Reference prices

Japan

¥ 801 (JPY)

Steam JP

$8.01 (USD)

Steam Global

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Live Store Snapshot

Body text may reflect the state at publication time. For the latest sale, price, and review changes, prioritize the live price panel, review panel, and the Steam store listing.

Japan Price: ¥ 801
Global Price: $8.01
Price in Your Region: ¥801-10%Prices as Steam lists them per country. What you are actually charged depends on your Steam account settings.Regional prices checked: 14 Nov 2026
Sale Status: On sale
Price Checked At: 11/15/2026, 5:10:54 AM (JST)

Key highlight

A rhythm-platforming adventure where you perform emotional labor for a quirky CEO in a virtual world, syncing your heartbeat and unlocking her heart.

Who this is for

A fresh blend of rhythm and platforming with an emotional story. Easy to pick up, so give it a try if you're curious.

Hardware Guide for Comfortable Play

Based on the game's recommended specs, showing a comfortable performance target and example parts (PassMark reference)

CPU

Game's recommended spec

Intel Core i5 or equivalent

Comfortable play target

15,600 pts(~130% above spec of 12,000 pts)

Parts near this range

ARM - 12 Core 0 MHz15,636 pts Intel Core i3-1220PE15,664 pts Intel Core 5 32015,503 pts

GPU

Game's recommended spec

Dedicated graphics card, GTX 1050 or equivalent

Comfortable play target

6,572 pts(~130% above spec of 5,055 pts)

Parts near this range

Intel Arc 140T GPU6,574 pts Radeon RX Vega M GH6,562 pts Intel Arc Pro 140T GPU6,586 pts

* Scores are reference values. Actual performance varies by in-game settings, resolution, and system environment.

Details

Overview

In Emotional Labor Laboratory, you play as someone scraping by on a bank balance of $8.90, forced to take a job at a shady lab just to survive.

Your main duty? Diving into a virtual world alongside an eccentric, beautiful CEO to perform some "emotional labor." But soon, you notice your heartbeat syncing with hers—and the line between work and something deeper begins to blur.

Developed and published by astro stew, this adventure game blends 2D platforming with rhythm gameplay, all wrapped in a story-rich, anime-inspired package. It launched on Steam on November 6, 2026, and supports English, Japanese, Simplified Chinese, and Korean.

Highlights

Two-in-one gameplay: Dash through maps in the Verse using platforming across musical staves, then switch to explosive rhythm action inside the Magic Circle. The two mechanics flow seamlessly as one beat.
Emotional story: Alongside Aiden, a pure AI learning what it means to feel, you'll soothe the hidden emotional scars of your quirky boss. Your genuine emotional labor unlocks her closed heart.
Accessible controls: Explore with Arrow Keys or A/D, making the game easy to pick up while still offering rhythmic depth.

Who It's For

If you enjoy rhythm games, visual novels, or story-rich adventures with a touch of romance, this one's for you. The blend of platforming and rhythm keeps things fresh, while the emotional narrative adds weight to every beat.

It's also a great pick for players who like anime aesthetics and character-driven stories.

Game Info

Developer/Publisher: astro stew
Genre: Adventure (with rhythm, visual novel, and 2D platformer elements)
Release Date: November 6, 2026
Modes: Single-player
Languages: English, Japanese, Simplified Chinese, Korean
Steam Tags: Rhythm, Visual Novel, Adventure, 2D Platformer, Story Rich, Anime, Emotional, Romance