Phogs!
- July 21, 2020
- Bit Loom Games
- 13h median play time
PHOGS! is possibly one of the best co-op games ever made and the perfect remedy for a hellish 12 months.
"Phogs!" is a kids' platformer game featuring local multi-player for up to 2 players in co-op or single-player mode. Control Red and Blue, a pair of adorable dogs connected by a stretchy belly, as you bark, bounce, and solve puzzles across three vibrant worlds. With hilarious physics-based gameplay, support for various control options, and solo or shared-controller gameplay, "Phogs!" promises a fun-filled adventure for all ages.
Reviews
- Very fun 2-player game with goofy mechanics and charming graphics.
- Diverse puzzles and levels that encourage cooperation and exploration.
- Adorable characters and a whimsical world that creates a lighthearted gaming experience.
- Frequent glitches and bugs that can disrupt gameplay and cause frustration.
- Multiplayer issues, such as desynchronization and missing items in the hat shop.
- Puzzles can feel overly simple and may not provide enough challenge for experienced players.
- gameplay52 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 56 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by its lighthearted and fun mechanics, making it an enjoyable co-op experience that is accessible for newcomers to the genre. While the puzzles are generally simple and the mechanics can become repetitive, the game features a variety of unique twists and charming aesthetics that keep it entertaining. However, occasional glitches and some frustrating controls can detract from the overall experience, though many players find these quirks add to the humor and enjoyment of the game.
“This is the kind of game that’s perfect for easing into the co-op genre, with gameplay that's lighthearted, simple, and guaranteed to make you smile.”
“The game provides at least 10 hours of gameplay and I highly recommend co-op mode.”
“It's a fun, silly, and interesting puzzle game, and each world provides different mechanics to learn to keep things interesting.”
“After completing the first world, the gameplay becomes more tedious and boring with little to no change.”
“The only real challenge is trying not to yell at your partner because the mechanics of moving as two dogs combined is incredibly frustrating. If the other person chooses to extend, then you get slowed down or start swinging around or just bug out and crash into things. But if you don't extend, then you end up just being extremely glued to your partner, and it feels very slow and boring to get around the maps.”
“I would wholeheartedly recommend the game if a patch was released to fix the gameplay issues.”
- graphics37 mentions
- 59 % positive mentions
- 32 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their charming and cute aesthetic, featuring colorful visuals and a playful art style that enhances the overall experience. Many reviewers highlight the beautiful level design and the soothing atmosphere created by the graphics, although some mention issues with lag and bugs that detract from the enjoyment. Overall, the visuals are considered a significant strength, contributing to the game's fun and whimsical nature.
“The charming visuals and hilarious physics make every wobbly moment a joy.”
“The graphics are vivid, the gameplay is fun, and the hats are cute :)”
“Complementing the enjoyable gameplay is a beautiful art style paired with a nice variety in level design and some decent background music.”
“Terrible game, annoying bad graphics loud not cute or funny. Forget this game.”
“The graphics are cute and well done, but they don't make up for the overall experience.”
“The art style is serene, calming, and cute, but it lacks depth and variety.”
- humor26 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is largely derived from its quirky physics and occasional glitches, which often lead to hilarious moments during gameplay, especially in co-op mode. Players appreciate the charming visuals and amusing character interactions, noting that even the bugs tend to enhance the fun rather than detract from it. Overall, the game is described as a lighthearted and entertaining experience that evokes laughter and a sense of nostalgia.
“The charming visuals and hilarious physics make every wobbly moment a joy.”
“I don't think my wife stopped laughing the whole time we played.”
“It's funny, relaxing, and cute.”
- stability18 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game's stability is frequently criticized due to various glitches and bugs, particularly in multiplayer mode, which can lead to frustrating experiences like desynchronization and players getting stuck. However, some players find these glitches to be charming and even humorous, contributing to the overall enjoyment of the game. While the game could benefit from additional polish, many still recommend it for its fun and cute atmosphere despite the technical issues.
“However, we often experienced glitches like the game just yeeting us into the void, having to restart many times in a row because the game registers only one player playing as both dogs, both players are moving but to one player it seems the other player is standing in one spot, etc.”
“Overall the game is very good, but the glitches make it annoying to play and I just lose the will to play it after constantly glitching.”
“Cute game and really wanted to like it, but the multiplayer is very buggy and not enjoyable after many lags.”
- emotional14 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is overwhelmingly positive, characterized by its wholesome and heartwarming moments that appeal to players of all ages. Reviewers highlight its charm, cuteness, and the joy of cooperative play, making it an ideal choice for friends, partners, or families seeking a lighthearted gaming experience. Overall, it is celebrated as one of the most delightfully cheerful games available.
“It's charming, fun, and full of heartwarming moments!”
“The game is very wholesome as you can bark as much as you want, whenever you want, and NPC characters give you hugs!”
“Possibly the single most sickeningly happy, wholesome video game experience ever.”
- music10 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its relaxing and soothing qualities, enhancing the overall experience with a beautiful soundtrack that complements the art style and level design. Players appreciate the variety and uniqueness of the sound design across different levels, contributing to a positive and enjoyable atmosphere. While some reviews note that the music is merely "decent," the general consensus highlights its effectiveness in creating good vibes throughout gameplay.
“I listen to the dream soundtrack outside of playing the game.”
“Each level looks beautiful and the music/sound design makes each one unique and a blast to play through.”
“The art and soundtrack are amazing!”
“Music is aight too.”
“Complementing the enjoyable gameplay is a beautiful art style paired with a nice variety in level design and some decent background music.”
“Everything about it is executed well; controls, art, sound, music, gameplay.”
- story5 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
The game's story features a charming and whimsical premise centered around a two-headed dog duo on a quest for treats, offering a simple yet enjoyable narrative that spans approximately 9-12 hours. However, some players find the story to be vague and lacking in depth. Overall, the unique worlds and fun gameplay contribute positively to the experience despite the minimal storytelling.
“The story is simple and very cute; the gameplay is fun, and each world is so unique!”
“The main story will take you around 9-12 hours.”
“There isn't much story.”
“The story is also rather vague.”
“Ever wondered what it’s like to be a two-headed, bone-sniffing dog duo on a quest for treats?”
- optimization4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization is generally well-received, with smooth performance in the main game. However, players have noted issues with stuttering that can be resolved by disabling v-sync through external settings, and the optimization appears to be less effective in local co-op mode.
“Actually very optimized.”
“The main game runs smoothly and supports proper multiplayer.”
“S - Disable v-sync in your game control center to stop the game stuttering; there is no in-game option to disable v-sync!”
“It only supports local co-op, and the optimization is much worse for some odd reason. The main game runs smoothly and supports proper multiplayer.”
- grinding2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and monotonous, particularly after the initial levels, as the lack of challenge leads to a repetitive experience.
“The game wasn't bad, but it wasn't very hard, so the levels became very boring and tedious.”
“After completing the first world, the gameplay becomes more tedious and boring with little to no change.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is characterized as cute and enjoyable, though some users note that it can be somewhat buggy. Overall, it offers a fun experience that is worth recommending.
- character development1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 100 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The character development in the game draws strong parallels to "Adventure Time," particularly in its environmental aesthetics and character design, suggesting a whimsical and imaginative approach to character growth and storytelling.
- replayability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Reviewers note that the game has limited customization options and lacks a significant replayable mode, which diminishes its overall replayability.
“The game lacks significant customization options, which really limits its replayability.”
“There is a noticeable absence of a major replayable mode, making it hard to stay engaged after the first playthrough.”
“Without diverse gameplay mechanics or modes to explore, the replay value feels minimal.”
Critic Reviews
PHOGS! (Switch) Review
Gotta walk together, gotta sing this song.
80%PHOGS! review
A pleasant mix of gentle puzzling and body horror, PHOGS! is a very good boy.
75%PHOGS! Review
Some of the puzzles are clever, and they seem varied enough to keep those who enjoy it interested for a while, but the whole thing seems — despite obvious efforts to make it sweet — strangely bland.
60%