More than just a bite-sized version of Nintendogs? http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/reviewArt.cfm?artid=20894 Pet simulators are nothing new on the Nintendo DS. After the success of NintendoÂ’s Nintendogs, developers such as Ubisoft started joining the fray, releasing games such as Catz and Dogz.
Joining the bandwagon this time, though, is Gameloft. Released exclusively on the Nintendo DSiWare service, Me and My Dogs: Friends Forever is GameloftÂ’s attempt at bringing the popular kid-friendly genre to NintendoÂ’s portable download service.
Like any other pet simulator where you take care of dogs, Me and My Dogs: Friends Forever allows players to raise their pet in a small village full of parks and scenery. Due to the size limits of DSiWare, you wonÂ’t find as much content and variety here as you would find in a stand-alone release, but the amount of content packed into the game more than justifies the premium price.
One particular area that is particularly lacking compared to retail games is that players are limited to selecting one of three breeds of dogs: Labradors, ChowChows, and Beagles. Due to this limitation, players may not be able to fully connect with their puppy like they would in Nintendogs as the experience isnÂ’t as refined as NintendoÂ’s own creation, but for the audience this is aimed at, it shouldnÂ’t make too much of an impact on their adventure.
After successfully registering your new dog and registering yourself as the owner using the DSiÂ’s camera, players can then begin their day-to-day life of raising it. Like real dogs, players will be faced with tasks such as feeding, washing, playing, learning tricks and competing in competitions like obedience contests, just like one would do with Nintendogs. Again though, due to the size restrictions on DSiWare titles, these everyday tasks arenÂ’t as fleshed out as they would be in NintendoÂ’s own pet simulator, but whatÂ’s present here proves to be more than entertaining.
Borrowing a page from Nintendogs , Me and My Dogs allows players to raise their dogs to participate in competitions. By heading on over to the playground and getting some one-on-one time with your dog, players can teach their dogs all sorts of neat treats, ranging from sitting to running, all of which are done by using the touch screen of the Nintendo DSi.
Another element of the game that adds to the overall atmosphere of the game is the visuals. As a whole, the game feels very entertaining and has a very relaxed feel to it, due mostly to the cute visual style. In the end, it was almost unbelievable to see how much the graphics added to the experience of the game. The cuteness and appeal really add a very relaxing feel to the game, despite being a little generic.
Me and My Dogs: Friends Forever is one of the more enjoyable titles from Gameloft on the DSiWare service. The thrill of raising a virtual pet will make some young gamers scream with envy, and for good reason, too. Compared to Nintendogs, Me and My Dogs: Friends Forever is a steal seeing as the game is only a quarter of NintendoÂ’s own creation. The lack of a fourth pet or the visual style may make some gamers a little turned off from the game, but donÂ’t be fooled - Me and My Dogs: Friends Forever is a great piece of software and a bargain . If you enjoy pet simulators, donÂ’t hesitate in giving it a try.
Pros:
Gameplay is simple and easy to understand Option to raise up to three puppies. Visual style is very appealing. Use of the DSiÂ’s capabilities, such as the DSi camera. Cons: Not a lot of unlockables. DoesnÂ’t have quite as much replay value as Nintendogs Graphics: 7.5 While a little generic at times, the graphics help establish a positive atmosphere and mood within players.
Sound: 6.0 Music is largely forgettable, but it does suit the audience that the game is catered towards.
Control: 8.0 Controlling your puppy with the stylus works well and feels very natural.
Gameplay: 7.5 While the game doesnÂ’t have quite as much variety overall as Nintendogs, there are quite a few places where you can go, such as beaches and your backyard.
Lastability: 8.0
The amount of content present is fairly large considering that the game is only $8. If youÂ’re into pet simulators, the game could keep you hooked for quite some time.
Final: 7.5
Me and My Dogs: Friends Forever is a good attempt at bringing a pet simulator to the DSiWare service. While not quite as well developed as Nintendogs, the game is entertaining and packs enough charm to appeal to almost any audience.
Topic: REVIEWS: Me and My Dogs: Friends Forever (Read 2371 times)
