Though it received mixed reviews upon its initial release, many fans would considerDog’s Lifea diamond in the rough. Released back in 2003 for the PS2, the game was praised for its cute visuals and sense of humor, but provided little for experienced video game fans and mainly catered to at a younger audience. However, one keynote that every critic and reviewer seemed to agree upon was that the idea of being able to control a dog as the game’s protagonist was its best-selling feature. Then, nearly two decades later, a game likeStraycomes along.
Without a doubt,Strayhas secured itself in the gaming fandomfor some of the same reasons thatDog’s Lifehad, from cute visuals to a quirky sense of humor that captivated players. Above all else, however, it was the ability to play as a cat that immediately caught audiences' attention when early trailers dropped, suggesting that the gaming sphere is primed for games with unusual animal protagonists. Therefore, ifDog’s Lifecould fix its handful of flaws and revamp itself for a modern remake, it could be the canine contender toStray.
RELATED:Stray Deserves a Sequel
What Dog’s Life Did Wrong
WhereStrayexcelled in delivering a range of puzzles suited to the skill sets a cat provides,Dog’s Lifeinstead was more of a mash of different mini-games based around the quintessential dog. These included everything from tug-o-wars to obedience trials, and while fitting for playing as a dog, they were sidepieces to the main game itself. However, the starkest example of these mini-games included a territorial game involving urinating to stake claim to certain areas. While the level of potty humor was more common a few decades ago, players aren’t likely to seeStrayhaving its cat coughing up a hairballfor laughs.
Ultimately, the faults ofDog’s Lifeappear to boil down to an inoffensive collection of fun party games that even the most novice of players can enjoy. Additionally, the tone and story also feel watered down to suit family-friendly audiences, almost as if it were a simplified feel-good kids' movie: a goofball hero rescues his crush from the grips of a villainous dogcatcher and cat food tycoon who plots to turn all dogs into cat food. It’s a far cry fromthe depth of storyStrayprovides, and soDog’s Lifeshould learn from its cousin and take on a deeper story.
What Dog’s Life Did Right
For its fault in tone,Dog’s Lifeactually had some very interesting mechanics that could be reworked to its benefit in the wake ofthe successfulStray. The best instance of this isDog’s Life’sapplication of a canine’s enhanced sense of smell. Dubbed “Smellovision,” it allowed players to go to a dog’s first-person perspective and track down various smells across each level, indicated via various colors on a gray-scale view of the world. This skill could be really useful and versatile if reapplied in a remake, allowingDog’s Lifeto incorporate more nuanced puzzle- and problem-solving, tracking down individuals or items, and more.
Anotherfeature thatStraymissed out onbutDog’s Lifedidn’t was the inclusion of various breeds of dog that the player could meet and even control. Categorized with their own distinctive traits and abilities,Dog’s Lifehad 15 different breeds the player would encounter, adding another level of versatility to the game for players to customize to their style of play. Additionally, with the more common knowledge of dog breeds, this may be the distinction aDog’s Liferemake would need to set it apart fromStray. IfDog’s Lifecould shrug off a dated sense of humor and introduce an expanded story, then a remake could certainly work well with today’s gaming audience.
