One Dog Story (PC) Review

Surviving a lab of horrors is not exactly an uncommon occurrence in videogames. One Dog Story aims for a slightly different angle, with its combination of platforming and shooting action. Light RPG elements such as weapon upgrades as well a scant helping of puzzles keeps the affair from becoming too repetitive. The controls are appropriate for the genre, so players will having little trouble leading the heroic hound over the myriad of bottomless pits, spike beds, and boiling lava. Why there are random spike beds in a lab is anybody's guess.

The storyline is appropriately dark and mysterious, though the rather suspect translation occasionally undermines it. Statements are made in such a matter of fact way that it's hard to gauge the main character's emotional state. Considering the constant presence of decay and death, it's easy to assume he's feeling pretty bad. Still, the manner in which he reacts to events is a little off. It's hard to fault the ambitious plot. There are quite a few endings, and the game even takes the time to mention the fates of numerous NPCs. The actions of EO-43 can influence their futures, which is a really nice touch.

The game progresses in a very linear manner. Keeping an eye - or perhaps a nose - out for secret areas is a must. This dog's sniffer is capable of discovering breakable walls. In most cases, however, there's very little exploration. It's absolutely impossible to return to previous areas, so if the player misses anything, then they're out of luck. It would have been nice if the game warned someone if they're about to miss out on a rare item such as a health upgrade or collectible. There are a great many points of no return, and a few of them aren't clearly marked as such.

An all too common occurrence in videogames is the vehicle section. One Dog Story has a couple, but at least they're mercifully short. They involve riding a hover board through what looks to be a dilapidated subway. While not all that frustrating, these sections are a bit weird. A few enemies are placed in such a manner that if the dog leaps over them, then he'll crash into a train when he lands. It's better to run into the enemy and lose a bit of health, rather than crash and die instantly. This is essentially forced damage, which is a head-scratcher of an idea.

In keeping with RPG elements, this game uses mutagen as currency. In each area, there are stations to replenish health, upgrade weapons, and save the game. Keep in mind that progress is saved when reaching a new location. Mutagen is also doled out in very generous quantities. In other words, this game isn't a hardcore survival horror or anything. On the normal difficulty setting, players will always have enough mutagen to keep their guns loaded and health full.

An all too common occurrence in videogames is the vehicle section. One Dog Story has a couple, but at least they're mercifully short. They involve riding a hover board through what looks to be a dilapidated subway. While not all that frustrating, these sections are a bit weird. A few enemies are placed in such a manner that if the dog leaps over them, then he'll crash into a train when he lands. It's better to run into the enemy and lose a bit of health, rather than crash and die instantly. This is essentially forced damage, which is a head-scratcher of an idea.

In keeping with RPG elements, this game uses mutagen as currency. In each area, there are stations to replenish health, upgrade weapons, and save the game. Keep in mind that progress is saved when reaching a new location. Mutagen is also doled out in very generous quantities. In other words, this game isn't a hardcore survival horror or anything. On the normal difficulty setting, players will always have enough mutagen to keep their guns loaded and health full.