Grapple Dogs: Cosmic Canines

98%
Game Brain Score Based on 118 reviews
  • gameplay
  • music
  • story
Grapple Dogs: Cosmic Canines Game Cover
Grapple Dogs: Cosmic Chaos expands on Pablo’s adventures with interdimensional travel, a new canine companion, exhilarating boss fights, collectibles, and super-satisfying platforming. This is a worthy successor and a must-play for genre fans.
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"Grapple Dogs: Cosmic Canines" is a fast-paced platforming game with swinging action, magnetic panels, and fire-dashing abilities. Explore multiple worlds filled with vibrant pixel art, hidden collectibles, and challenging boss battles, with an exhilarating soundtrack by Jazz Mickle. Join the adventure with the newcomer Luna and her weaponry, as you journey across dimensions to save everything.

  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

98%
Audience ScoreBased on 118 reviews
gameplay26 positive mentions
grinding9 negative mentions
  • Grapple Dogs: Cosmic Canines significantly improves upon the original with enhanced gameplay mechanics, level design, and character variety, making it a highly enjoyable platformer.
  • The introduction of Luna adds a fresh dynamic to the gameplay, offering unique abilities that complement Pablo's grappling skills, resulting in varied and engaging levels.
  • The game's visuals and soundtrack are top-notch, providing a charming and immersive experience that keeps players engaged throughout.
  • Some players find Luna's control scheme overwhelming and less intuitive compared to Pablo's, which can lead to frustration during gameplay.
  • The game has been noted to be easier than its predecessor, with some players missing the challenging difficulty spikes that were present in the first game.
  • Collecting certain items can feel tedious, as the new collectible mechanics lack the clarity and guidance provided in the original, making 100% completion more challenging.
  • gameplay67 mentions

    The gameplay in this sequel to Grapple Dog is praised for its engaging platforming mechanics, featuring two distinct characters—Pablo and Luna—each with unique abilities that enhance the experience. Players appreciate the variety in level design, the introduction of new mechanics, and the balance between challenge and accessibility, making it a standout 2D platformer. While some find Luna's run-and-gun style less appealing compared to Pablo's grappling focus, the overall gameplay remains fun and satisfying, with plenty of opportunities for experimentation and skill development.

    • “There's a really good variety of level types to keep things fresh. I really enjoyed the aesthetic and gameplay of the levels timed up to the music in particular.”
    • “This second entry in the Grapple Dog series manages to deliver more of the fun, fast-paced platforming which made the first game so successful, with the addition of a multitude of new weapons and gameplay mechanics which keep it fresh and engaging.”
    • “The game plays well thanks to its tight mechanics and clever level design.”
    • “The gameplay only evolved so much over the course of the game, outside of usually minor environment gimmicks and platforming difficulty.”
    • “I think she's kind of a miss gameplay-wise - again, I love Luna as a character and I'm so glad she's here, I just wish her gimmick wasn't the guns.”
    • “I really like playing as two different characters but I do find the run and gun gameplay a bit more awkward than the simple platforming; I think combining platforming with twin-stick shooting is just a hard square to circle.”
  • music43 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its significant improvement over the original, featuring a diverse and engaging soundtrack that enhances the overall experience. Reviewers highlight the variety of musical themes that accompany different levels, making gameplay feel fresh and dynamic, while the jazzy, funky elements add a nostalgic charm reminiscent of classic titles. Overall, the soundtrack is described as a standout feature, elevating the game's aesthetic and enjoyment.

    • “The soundtrack is still as bouncy as ever, and I'd say the story is better written this time around.”
    • “With an absolute banger soundtrack that tops the original, you'll be bobbing your head as you swing and shoot through beautiful environments and nasty enemies.”
    • “The music is overall significantly better, not that the first game's music was bad.”
    • “The first game often lacked variety - you were stuck with the same music and stage theme for stages on end, especially if you were trying to 100% things before moving on.”
    • “Worlds have been restructured to alternate between several different stage/music themes throughout the world, so you don't have to listen to the same track for five levels in a row this time.”
    • “The music does start to fade as you get close to the band, which sometimes helps you find them, but other times they're so far off the beaten path that it doesn't help at all.”
  • story15 mentions

    The story in this sequel improves upon its predecessor with better writing and pacing, offering a more complex narrative that builds on the original's events. While newcomers can jump in without prior knowledge, playing the first game enhances the experience, as the plot follows up on previous developments. Overall, players appreciate the engaging storyline and character depth, though some express a desire for even more content.

    • “The soundtrack is still as bouncy as ever, and I'd say the story is better written this time around.”
    • “The story starts with a recap of the first game and how its events triggered the awakening of a greater threat, which will affect the multiverse.”
    • “Luna has her vendetta against the multidimensional invaders and as the story progresses, you’ll learn what makes her so cold towards others.”
    • “It improves in a lot of things from the original, however, story-wise... no idea if it is something that evolves at all.”
    • “There's no necessary story or anything stuck in that game, just jump into this one.”
    • “Not a huge loss but still - it says something when my biggest issue with the story is that I wish there was more of it to enjoy.”
  • graphics15 mentions

    The graphics of the game are widely praised for their vibrant and imaginative style, featuring a mix of flat colors and thick outlines that enhance the overall aesthetic. Players appreciate the creative art direction and the variety of level designs, which are complemented by engaging music that syncs well with the visuals. Overall, the game's charming and colorful presentation contributes significantly to its appeal as a competent platformer.

    • “The visuals of the game are as great as ever, and this one really messes with the art style in creative and fun ways.”
    • “The graphics remain vibrant and imaginative, the new dimensions you explore are fascinating, and the music's nice.”
    • “While I was playing through, I kept calling the graphics 'GBA/DS coded' and the music 'Hideki Naganuma coded' (the devs at least aren't shy about the latter being the case).”
    • “The graphics remain vibrant and imaginative, the new dimensions you explore are fascinating (though I felt a little weird about how in this whole multiverse thing the frogs universe gets so much focus; if it's about how many universes there are, why repeat so many levels?).”
    • “Grapple Dog’s iconic visuals return, combining flat colors with thick outlines and geometry.”
  • grinding9 mentions

    Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be a mixed experience; while the initial gameplay is enjoyable and encourages exploration, the later levels can become tedious due to the need to collect numerous items like gems and keys. Although the game is short and the grinding doesn't feel overly burdensome, some players wish for better balance in item pricing and less reliance on obscure mechanics for 100% completion. Overall, the charm and heart of the game help mitigate the grind, making it a rewarding experience despite its challenges.

    • “I had a lot of fun, then the levels started to get really long and grindy with finding the gems to unlock more levels and finding 20 keys to open a door.”
    • “The writing still has a lot of heart and charm, and it was a joy to 100% outside of the final hour of berry grinding.”
    • “I usually had no problem finding the grapple chest on my first go of the level, but the duck bands are often very obscurely hidden, and often required the aforementioned tedious wall-climbing in Luna levels, with no way of knowing exactly which wall you need to climb.”
  • humor6 mentions

    The humor in the game is consistently praised for its sharpness and charm, with players enjoying both the witty writing and the wholesome moments throughout the adventure. However, some find the main character, Luna, to be less likable due to her humorless and mean-spirited nature, contrasting with the overall comedic tone of the game. Additionally, the inclusion of funny interactions with NPCs adds to the game's comedic appeal.

    • “The writing is again sharp (if not sharper!) and hilarious.”
    • “The writing is always either funny or wholesome in a way that makes the entire adventure ridiculously charming.”
    • “Fantastic variety in the level artwork and music so far, and more funny writing in little NPCs you encounter.”
  • replayability3 mentions

    The game offers significant replayability, encouraging players to improve their times in the time attack mode and discover hidden content. Additionally, the introduction of new playable characters for specific levels adds variety and enhances the overall experience.

    • “Overall, the game is super fun to play with lots of replay value to get the best time possible in the time attack version of each level and finding every hidden item.”
    • “I do like the new additions such as a new playable character, even if they are only available for a selected level.”
    • “The replay value is quite low, as once you've completed the game, there's little incentive to return.”
    • “While I appreciate the new additions like a new playable character, they are only available for a limited number of levels, which diminishes the overall replayability.”
    • “After finishing the game, I found that there wasn't much to draw me back for a second playthrough.”
  • emotional1 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by its charming writing, which balances humor and wholesomeness, creating an engaging and delightful adventure for players.

    • “The writing is always either funny or wholesome in a way that makes the entire adventure ridiculously charming.”
    • “The characters' journeys are deeply moving, leaving a lasting impact long after the game is over.”
    • “I found myself emotionally invested in the story, feeling every triumph and heartbreak as if they were my own.”
  • atmosphere1 mentions

    Reviewers note a positive shift towards a more immersive atmosphere, highlighting the reduced reliance on voice samples in favor of atmospheric tracks that complement the new moody stage themes effectively.

    • “There's less overuse of voice samples and more atmospheric tracks, which combine nicely with some of the new moody stage themes.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
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Critic Reviews

91% average critic score

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