Getting started
Getting started — your first hklifesim run
No story spoilers — onboarding and demo limits only.
HK Life: Legacy plays like a Hong Kong BitLife: each year you choose actions, react to random events, and steer stats toward the life you want — until the demo pauses at age 20.
Difficulty: EasyBefore you start
- Tap Play on the homepage — wait for the Flutter loading screen (3–5 seconds first time).
- Choose Millennium era for a balanced first run; Near Future is harder economically.
- Read each event prompt — many HK-specific references reward paying attention.
Step-by-step checkpoints
Setup: Era & character
- Two eras are playable in the demo; 1960s and 1980s show as locked teasers.
- Family background affects starting money and early events.
- Cantonese UI — use this guide hub for English mechanic explanations.
Loop: Yearly choices
- Each age presents menus: study, work, social, shop, travel, etc.
- Money pays for tutoring, gifts, and property later.
- Stress rises from overwork — rest or social events reduce it.
Demo end: Age 20 cap
- The itch.io demo stops around age 20 — marriage, children, and legacy come in the full app.
- Use first runs to experiment — replays are the point.
- Follow the official itch page for mobile release timing.
How to play (touch & browser)
- Flutter web game — tap/swipe on mobile, click on desktop. After Play, interact inside the game frame.
- Most actions are tap-to-choose — touch-first design.
- Use Chrome or Safari on phones; rotate to landscape or open full page in a new tab if cramped.
- First load may take 3–5 seconds for Flutter assets.
- If input stops, tap inside the game or use Open full page under the player.
Demo limits & saves
- Browser play needs no install — handy during DSE season.
- Progress may be session-only until the native app ships.
- Get builds only from official itch.io — avoid fake APKs; see Download page.
Common mistakes & fixes
| Mistake | What to do instead |
|---|---|
| Skipping school years to rush adulthood | DSE prep starts early — neglecting study makes age 17–18 painful. |
| Tapping through events without reading | Some events have hidden costs or stat changes — quick taps can hurt long-term. |
| Expecting cloud saves in browser demo | Treat each session as self-contained until the native app ships. |
Clear checklist
- Completed one full demo run to age 20.
- Understand money, stress, and study triangle.
- Tried at least one major branch (university vs trade vs emigration hint).
- Bookmarked DSE guide before a serious rerun.
First runs are for learning systems — meme-worthy failures are part of the fun.
Extra notes
Open the game in a new tab on mobile if the iframe feels cramped — link is under the player.