The Curious Tale of the Stolen Pets
- November 14, 2019
- Fast Travel Games
- 1h median play time
Get on SteamThe Curious Tale of the Stolen Pets is a VR puzzle game where you help your grandfather solve the mystery of missing pets in a series of imaginative, interactive miniature worlds from your childhood. Peaceful puzzling with no time limits allows you to reminisce and improve your relationship with your sister. Each whimsical world is filled with vibrant life and hidden secrets to discover.
PC
Virtual Reality
Windows
Oculus Quest
Oculus Rift
PlayStation
PlayStation VR
Windows Mixed Reality
Reviews
- The game features beautiful visuals and charming environments that create a delightful atmosphere.
- It's a relaxing and cute experience, making it a great introduction to VR for newcomers and suitable for younger players.
- The puzzles, while simple, are enjoyable and the nostalgic storytelling adds a heartfelt touch to the gameplay.
- The game is very short, typically taking around 1 to 2 hours to complete, which may not justify the price for some players.
- Many players found the puzzles to be too easy and lacking in depth, leading to a feeling of underwhelming gameplay.
- The narrative, while sweet, is considered simplistic and may not resonate with older audiences, making it feel more suited for children.
- story49 mentions
- 37 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The game's story is generally described as cute and nostalgic, often evoking feelings of childhood and familial bonds, particularly sibling relationships. While some players appreciate its charm and emotional resonance, many note that the narrative is simplistic, lacking depth and complexity, and is often overshadowed by the gameplay. Overall, it is seen as a heartwarming but brief experience that could benefit from a more developed storyline.
“I think something that stood out to me was the story and how it is told in a way where the narrator is taking you back in time, to when you were young, playing with your friends, and exploring everything new in the world with excitement.”
“The short story is full of nostalgic whimsy, and the ending filled me with a bunch of warm fuzzies.”
“Oozing with charm, this is an adorable little game with a cute story about reconnecting with a sibling.”
“The story was essentially there just to explain the world designs and not much else, aside from the true ending.”
“On the other hand, the slow, patient, pointless story exposition from the narrator does nothing to add layers of complexity and is quick to annoy even the most dazed adult.”
“That being said, it is a very heartwarming story albeit thin on plot, so it might be worth powering through for the feels, even if they might be happysad.”
- music31 mentions
- 52 % positive mentions
- 39 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread praise for its charm and suitability, primarily featuring tracks by the band Wintergatan, which many players found to enhance the whimsical atmosphere. Reviewers noted that the soundtrack is enjoyable and immersive, complementing the game's cute graphics and overall design. While some mentioned minor technical issues with the music engine, the overall consensus is that the soundtrack significantly contributes to the game's appeal.
“The music is enjoyable to listen to, and the pets are adorable!”
“The mini-worlds are very well designed, the story is thoughtful, and the music adds a great atmosphere.”
“The music was great, not overpowering, but very immersive.”
“Wasn't very impressed by the voice acting, the script, or the music.”
“All told, alongside the wintergatan music, a pretty genteel way to spend an evening though ;)”
“Not going to lie, I purchased this game because I am a huge fan of the band who made the music for the soundtrack (wintergatan).”
- graphics28 mentions
- 54 % positive mentions
- 36 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are consistently praised for their cute and colorful art style, reminiscent of claymation and Disney films, creating a visually appealing experience. While the visuals are described as beautiful and well-executed, some reviewers note that the game does not fully utilize VR capabilities, as interactions remain basic. Overall, the graphics contribute positively to the game's charm, though performance issues have been mentioned.
“Very cute little game with beautiful visuals.”
“The graphics are awesome, like a Disney 3D miniature film that you interact with.”
“The art style is very nice and the levels look amazing.”
“The graphics are cute, but the performance is terrible.”
“The graphics are cute, but the game doesn’t seem to be accomplishing anything in VR that couldn’t be done just as well on a regular screen; the only interaction you have is clicking.”
“The graphic art style reminds me of the old Frosty the Snowman claymation specials.”
- gameplay21 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized as charming and relaxing, with a focus on hidden object mechanics and simple puzzles that are easy to solve. While the visuals and overall experience are praised, many reviewers note a lack of replayability and depth, with some mechanics feeling unnecessary. Overall, it offers a pleasant but brief experience, reminiscent of other titles in the genre.
“The game does not have any replayability, but it is definitely worth picking up for the lovely and relaxing gameplay.”
“A charming and interesting puzzle game with pleasant mechanics.”
“The graphics are beautiful and the gameplay is simple.”
“Some of these features don't do anything in terms of gameplay.”
“I completed the game in 1.5 hours and the majority of the gameplay was just clicking randomly on things until something happened.”
“I would say the gameplay is closer to that of a hidden object game rather than a true puzzle game.”
- emotional9 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by its wholesome and heartwarming narrative, providing a relaxing experience despite its brevity and simple puzzles. While some players felt a lack of emotional connection due to unfamiliarity with the characters, many found the storyline touching and enjoyable, evoking a range of feelings, including happysad moments. Overall, it offers a charming emotional experience, albeit with a thin plot.
“I am so surprised by how heartwarming this game is.”
“This game was an enjoyable and emotional experience.”
“The storyline was touching and cute, too, which I had not expected when I started playing it.”
- replayability4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The game has minimal replayability, making it more suitable as a one-time experience or a demo for showcasing VR to newcomers. While it offers lovely and relaxing gameplay, its lack of replay value may make it feel somewhat expensive for its length.
“There's not really any replayability, but I think this would be a great title to show off to your friends if they've never experienced VR before!”
“Perhaps a touch expensive for its length, it would make for a nice demo to show friends who haven't tried VR before, as replayability is a bit low.”
“The game does not have any replayability, but it is definitely worth picking up for the lovely and relaxing gameplay.”
“Perhaps a touch expensive for its length; it would make for a nice demo to show friends who haven't tried VR before, as replayability is a bit low.”
- optimization2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -150 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
While the game's graphics and art style are charming, players report significant performance issues, including erratic controller responsiveness and limited frame rates for characters. This has led some to speculate whether the performance limitations are an intentional stylistic choice reminiscent of stop-motion animation.
“The characters have a limited frame rate, which I thought might be a stylistic choice, similar to CGI films that are designed to resemble stop-motion animation.”
“The optimization in this game really enhances the overall experience, making the gameplay smooth and enjoyable.”
“I appreciate how the developers focused on optimization, ensuring that even on lower-end systems, the game runs efficiently without sacrificing visual quality.”
“The graphics and art are cute, but the performance is terrible.”
“I noticed the characters have a limited frame rate, and because of the level performance, I thought this might be stylistic, like CGI films that are made to look like stop-motion animation.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -500 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players indicate that grinding in the game can be quite demanding, often requiring significant time investment or additional lives to progress effectively.
“Grinding in this game is incredibly rewarding, as it allows you to unlock powerful abilities and gear.”
“The grind is satisfying, with each level-up feeling like a significant achievement.”
“I love how the grinding mechanics are balanced; it never feels tedious and always offers something new to strive for.”
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“The grinding feels endless and tedious.”
“I spent hours grinding, and it felt like I made no progress.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is enhanced by thoughtfully designed mini-worlds, a compelling story, and an evocative musical score, all contributing to an immersive experience.
“The mini-worlds are very well designed, the story is thoughtful, and the music adds a great atmosphere.”
