Children's Software That Matters - Pet Pals for the Nintendo Wii


One of the greatest disappointments of the current video and computer market is the lack of compelling software for children. While a few standouts exists such as Nintendo’s Brain Age line, or the Lego Star Wars series, far too many games merely exploit a well known license, or offer sub-par gameplay. When compiling the weekly New Release list, we often encounter a glut of derivative animal ‘simulators’ with names like The Dog Island, Petz: Horsez 2, or Puppy Luv.

So imagine our trepidation when we visited the Legacy Interactive offices while attending E3. Legacy was showing Pet Pals, a veterinary game designed for eight to twelve-year old girls. While we expected another imitative pet-sim, we found an interesting, thoughtful game that deserves attention.


Upon starting the game, we noticed the quality, high resolution graphics. While many Wii games pale in comparison to the HD counterparts, Pet Pals offered a detailed representation of a vet’s waiting room, and examination table. While the animals were currently motionless in the build demoed, our representatives promised us that each pet would move with life-like accuracy in the final product.

The title strives for an authenticity missing from most children’s software. The producer mentioned that each of the game’s thirty cases were written by practicing veterinarians. Graphically, the title reaches for realism rather than the typical candy-coated cuteness. Additionally, players are introduced to scientific method; after an ailment is given, you systematically check for additional symptoms, before giving a diagnosis.


Pet Pals gameplay seems modeled after the Trauma Center games, with the tedious stretches of dialogue thankfully removed.  We watched as the producer used the Wiimote as a magnifying glass to inspect a dog’s fur. Other mini-games included twisting the controller to vary an x-ray wavelength, and then snapping a picture with the “A” button, when the skeletal frame is focused.  Included in the game is a veterinary trivia game that doesn’t pull any punches- we missed both multiple choice questions we were shown.

Pat Pals is shaping up to be remarkable piece of children’s software. It’s clear the goal of the title is not to create a watered down, sloppy title to capitalize on the Wii’s popularity and demographics, but rather to offer younger players a fair challenge. Let’s hope this game doesn’t get lost in the excess of animal themed Wii titles when it is released this holiday season.

 Stumbleupon  Digg 

Posted by DesertEagle at 7/29/2008 4:52 PM
Categories: Preview,Kid Friendly
 

What did you think of this article?




Trackbacks
Trackback specific URL for this entry
  • No trackbacks exist for this entry.
Comments
Display comments as (Linear | Threaded)

Leave a comment

 Enter the above security code (required)

 Name

 Email (will not be published)

 Website

Your comment is 0 characters limited to 3000 characters.