The Vita has been a handheld plagued by challenges. In particular has been the challenge of finding its audience. Is it for hardcore gamers or more casual users? This has caused a whole range of different content to appear on the system, often reminding us of or building on ideas that other systems — both portable and home console alike — have presented before. Following in the grand tradition of copying things that Nintendo has already done, Playstation Vita Pets has arrived for young and old alike (read: just the young) to enjoy.
The core of the game is focused on raising your new pet on Castlewood Island, chosen from one of four breeds of dog. Your journey will see you training the puppy to perform tricks, improving his or her skills and adventuring across the island to unlock an ancient mystery.
My first little problem with this game lies with its title. I realise that Spiral House had to be careful not to skate too close to the eponymous Nintendogs name, but I was disappointed to find that the ‘Pets’ of the title actually meant ‘Dogs’. As a well-known lonely cat person, I felt a little gypped. Nevertheless, the dogs presented – Dalmation, Labrador, Husky and Beagle – are very cute and move in a natural and energetic way. The problems only start when that animation involves… Talking. Yes, that’s right. These dogs talk, and in adult human voices no less. I was not aware of this going in, and to be honest? The first time my Husky opened his mouth and started badmouthing the other prospective puppies, I got a little creeped out.
The fact that this was followed by a tutorial about scratching him where he repeatedly uttered the phrase ‘stroke me’ did not help matters. Now, I realise this is a game aimed primarily at young players, but the speaking and the phrasing here makes this feel pretty iffy.
Stepping beyond these issues, the bulk of the game is taken up by minigames around playing with and training your puppy in order to travel across the island. Doing so earns you Buddy Points and coins you can use to unlock toys, treats and dress-ups to give to your new best friend. The overarching story revolves around the ancient king of Castlewood and his dog, who buried his golden doggie clothes somewhere with a series of cryptic clues leading you there. Your mission in life (apparently) is to dig up these garments for yourself. That’s legitimately your goal.
While the game does execute all of these features well, the combined effect just didn’t quite sit right with me – and it all traces back to the core problem of human-voiced dogs. was a fun diversion because it really was like a more detailed Tamagotchi. Playstation Vita Pets aimed for a broader scope, which is admirable – but the voices were a step too far. When my puppy is the one teaching me how to teach him to sit, it’s weird. When my puppy repeatedly demands I ‘stroke him’ or play with a tug-toy so he can be strong enough to ‘tug anything’, it’s weird. When my puppy tells me to turn around and not watch him poop – exhibiting both sentience and a sense of shame -but then still expects me to bag his poops for him, it’s super weird.
I was optimistic about this going in as a fun extra to keep on my Vita, but I don’t think I’ll be visiting Castlewood Island again once this review is done. The low price tag makes it enticing if you have younger gamers who use your Vita, but I don’t think this one is a must-have for the system.
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