Domestic Dog Simulator
- April 10, 2015
- Sean Davy
- 4h median play time
Get on SteamIn Domestic Dog, players care for and train a virtual puppy, shaping its behavior through positive reinforcement. With various customization options and activities, the game encourages responsible pet ownership and genuine bonding with the dog. As the dog grows and learns, players unlock new challenges and rewards, strengthening their connection in this wholesome simulation. If you found this summary helpful, I'd be grateful if you could leave a thumbs up or an upvote for me. Thank you!
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game is simple yet oddly addicting, making it a fun way to kill time.
- There is a variety of dogs to play as, and the quirky humor adds to the charm.
- It's a low-cost game that offers a unique experience with entertaining mini-games and achievements.
- The game lacks depth and can become repetitive quickly, with limited content.
- There is no save function, which can be frustrating as players lose progress when their dog dies.
- The controls and mechanics can be confusing, making it hard for players to figure out how to play effectively.
- humor50 mentions
- 96 % positive mentions
- -2 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The game's humor is widely praised for its imaginative and goofy nature, featuring dog puns and colorful pixel graphics that appeal to fans of lighthearted comedy. While some players find the humor subjective and potentially off-putting to others, many agree that it provides enjoyable, silly entertainment, making it a great choice for those who appreciate quirky and sometimes crude humor. Overall, the game is recommended for its funny moments and charming presentation, despite its short length.
“If you like dogs, dog puns, colorful pixel graphics, and goofy humor, you'll certainly enjoy this game.”
“The game's humor is impressively imaginative, and generally doesn't fall back on dried up memes to pull a laugh out of the player.”
“In order to play this game you need to turn your mind off and just enjoy the humor and silliness.”
“You're not funny!”
“You're not funny!”
“You're not funny!”
- music24 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The music in the game elicits mixed reactions, with some players finding it nostalgic and enjoyable, while others describe it as boring and lacking variety. Many appreciate the calming and well-made tracks that complement the game's cute atmosphere, while a few criticize the music for being unengaging. Overall, the soundtrack is seen as a highlight for those who enjoy quirky and fun soundscapes.
“The various settings and house customization options really give Domestic Dog a very endearing atmosphere, and the music is both calming and well-made.”
“The music is great and I love all the minigames inside of the game.”
“The music is very well done and the game is more than great for its price tag.”
“Music isn't really enjoyable either, got a few tracks to choose from, unsure if there's more you unlock...a cute concept with a boring execution.”
“There are no words to explain how bad this game is...........right as soon as I started it and heard the music.”
“Stylistically and musically it reminds me of Hotline Miami, and the gameplay and complexity reminds me of the complete opposite of Skyrim.”
- graphics22 mentions
- 27 % positive mentions
- 59 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game evoke nostalgia with their colorful pixel art and simplistic design, appealing to fans of retro aesthetics and casual gameplay. While some players appreciate the cute and goofy visuals, others criticize them as overly simplistic or reminiscent of low-quality designs. Overall, the graphics are a mixed bag, offering charm for those who enjoy indie pixel art but potentially disappointing for players seeking more sophisticated visuals.
“If you like dogs, dog puns, colorful pixel graphics, and goofy humor, you'll certainly enjoy this game.”
“The graphics are great and super cute; I love the goofy music and how funny some of the dogs come out.”
“It reminds me a lot of the old Atari games in the way each screen is laid out and how the graphics look.”
“The graphics are like drawn by a 12-year-old.”
“Imagine Goat Simulator with 1/100 of the map, 2D crappy graphics, and 1/1000th of things to do, and you would have this mess.”
“It's an interesting concept and I like the retro graphics, but it seems really lacking.”
- gameplay14 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 36 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by quirky mechanics, such as the ability to interact with the environment in unconventional ways, reminiscent of games like Postal 2 and Hotline Miami. While the game offers a fun exploration of its mechanics and secrets, some players criticize the lack of a save feature, suggesting it detracts from the overall experience. Despite these issues, many find the gameplay engaging and worth the low price, particularly for achievement hunting.
“I've wasted some hours on this game today and have really had some fun figuring out the mechanics and finding secrets.”
“I paid two dollars for it and already got my money's worth just exploring the game mechanics.”
“A great game to farm achievements on, decent sim mechanics, nice aesthetic even for the typical indie pixel game.”
“If peeing on things is that important to you, play Postal 2; it's a decent game and that's a game mechanic.”
“Stylistically and musically, it reminds me of Hotline Miami, and the gameplay and complexity remind me of the complete opposite of Skyrim.”
“Are the mechanics innovative?”
- story10 mentions
- 10 % positive mentions
- 60 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The reviews indicate a lack of a coherent or engaging storyline, with many users expressing frustration over the absence of a structured narrative. Some comments suggest personal anecdotes, but they do not contribute to a meaningful plot within the game. Overall, the story aspect is criticized for being underdeveloped and unoriginal.
“Our story begins with me being born.”
“No real storyline.”
“No story line.”
“My story is my rise and downfall.”
- grinding6 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game tedious, as it involves repetitive mini-games and house upgrades without clear guidance or saving options. The fast-paced day/night cycle adds to the frustration, making certain actions feel unnecessarily slow. Overall, the grinding is seen as a significant drawback, detracting from the enjoyment of the tamagotchi-style experience.
“On the other hand, underneath the skin of dog sim is a bunch of tedious bullshit.”
“It's a tamagotchi with a randomized dog you can't even save as far as I'm aware; the game doesn't really explain anything to you and you just wander, play some tedious mini-games, and upgrade your house's appliances.”
“It's simply a little tedious at times, and the day/night goes so fast I feel like other certain actions, like digging, need the same speed up.”
- replayability6 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
Overall, the reviews indicate a mixed perception of replayability; while some players find certain games to offer hundreds or thousands of hours of replay value, others express uncertainty about the long-term engagement, particularly with more gimmicky titles. Games that blend quirky mechanics with substantial content tend to be more favorably viewed in terms of replayability.
“My 20 hours may seem like a lot when compared to other simulators on the market, but this masterpiece has hundreds if not thousands of hours of replayability.”
“I had quite a bit of fun with this initially, not sure about the replay value though.”
“People enjoy quirky, gimmicky games like Goat Simulator and I Am Bread because there's something substantial and replayable behind the silly premise.”
- atmosphere2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of Domestic Dog is characterized by its endearing settings and extensive house customization options, complemented by calming and well-crafted music that enhances the overall experience.
“The various settings and house customization options really give Domestic Dog a very endearing atmosphere, and the music is both calming and well-made.”
- monetization2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
Many users express skepticism about the game's monetization strategy, suggesting it prioritizes profit over player experience, with some labeling it as a "quick cash grab."
“The monetization strategy feels like a blatant cash grab, prioritizing profits over player experience.”
“It's frustrating to see so many features locked behind paywalls, making it hard to enjoy the game without spending extra money.”
“The constant push for in-game purchases detracts from the overall enjoyment and immersion of the game.”
