Phogs! Reviews
After playing PHOGS!, I actually found myself in a better mood, the cheerful and delightful nature of dogs encapsulated in this gorgeous game an uplifting experience. It was the cozy, cute platform puzzler I was expecting and then some, surprising me towards the end with how it handled gameplay progression. If you even think for a split second that PHOGS! might be your bag of treats, don’t deprive yourself — I double dog dare you to pick up PHOGS! today and take these goodest doggos for walkies.
PHOGS! is possibly one of the best co-op games ever made and the perfect remedy for a hellish 12 months.
Hands up if you’ve heard of a Phog? Anyone? Nope. Me neither. Allow me to introduce you to Red and Blue, the two (or should I say one…) stars of this puzzle adventure title from Bit Loom Games. You’ll be making your way through three distinctive worlds; each one VERY different than the last and trying to navigate your way through this charming and downright silly platformer. The main hook is that the aptly named “Phogs” are a pair of dogs with a twist; they share the same body!
Phogs! might feature a confusing control scheme, whether you’re playing by yourself or with a friend, but it’s hard to get mad at it. Its puzzles are simple yet not exactly obvious, its stakes are so low to the point of making the entire experience very relaxing, and its presentation is so unbelievably adorable you can’t help but want to jump into the TV screen just to be able to actually pet that adorable protagonist.
Phogs! is a game that will make you and hopefully a friend smile from ear to ear much like the constant smiles of the dogs you play as in this game. The joy of this title really comes from sharing the experience with someone else. But if that’s not possible for you then this is still nice casual puzzler to cosy up with and enjoy in handheld mode.
Phogs! isn't a great game — or even a good game — but it's impossible not to like.
PHOGS! I liked it. It's an eminently cooperative game, with good ideas, dream worlds, physics-based puzzles and two dogs in one. If I don't convince you with this, I don't think anything can do it.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
While I love great challenging roguelikes and other titles geared towards the hardcore set I'll fladly admit that well-made family-friendly fare always puts a smile on my face...
Without a doubt, PHOGS! is one of the best co-op games released this year so if you enjoy gaming with a pal, you'll want to play this.
Ultimately, PHOGS’ greatest weapon is just how freakin’ adorable it is. Once you’ve seen those two happy doggo faces, there’s no going back. The environments are wonderful, too; the game’s quirky art style never fails to put a smile on your face. The gameplay itself, however, doesn’t always quite live up to those same heady heights. There are some terrific and unique puzzles, but not all levels have been created equally, and some of them outstay their welcome. This double-headed doggo adventure has plenty to offer, but you’re best off playing in short bursts.
PHOGS! is as delightful as it is unique and entrancing. While the controls are a little tough to get the feel of for solo-players, teaming "pup" with a friend allows for an experience that, though mostly on the easy side, guarantees the player a thoroughly good time-especially in the boss stages.
A super cute and fun game with an interesting control scheme and puzzles that will work your brain, but not too hard. Great family game with super fun and chaotic multiplayer that will have everyone laughing. Plus, who can resist the adorable pups RED and BLUE?
While it may struggle to hold a solo player's interest, Phogs! is a fantastically delightful and easygoing co-operative experience.
PHOGS! is a fantastic puzzle-platformer for all ages, combining well-designed mechanics with a bright, enchanting aesthetic. Playable alone or with a friend locally or online, there are plenty of levels to keep you busy, and plenty of collectables to seek out and invest your hard-earned bones in. Though at times the lack of camera controls and collision glitches can lead to some unfortunate demises, the experience is one well worth investing in and is not to be missed.
Too often these days, our games are so preoccupied with achievements, trophies, levels, and all kinds of complicated crafting and weaponry that we don't normally just sit back and play a game-really play a game-and actually have fun without any kind of pressure at all. Phogs! allows you to go back and experience the fun of a game at its most basic-and that's not always something even AAA games can pull off.
The reward cosmetics in Phogs is fairly limited and much like the game, it’s a simple structure that doesn’t ask too much of its players. However, that criticism could even be levelled many classic games that we hold dear now. There’s a definite woof of Mario in the air when the Phogs wag their way out of the game’s central hubs, jump down a long slopey worm and fall into these themed challenges, and it seems like Bit Loom games have taken plenty of lessons from that genre classic while still remaining relevant.
Most people won't even give this one a second look – it's not exactly a heart-pumping triple-A action-fest or a brain-bending puzzler, and it definitely isn't telling a meaningful story, but for the right couple of people it may just be exactly what they need.
While there are good ideas presented here, PHOGS! is too slow and unexciting for it to stand out from the crowd.
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.
Overall, I greatly enjoyed the PHOGS! experience. The fiddly controls and wild camera couldn't put a damper on the joy of playing as a dog going around and helping wacky creatures. Besides solving puzzles and helping weirdos, I loved getting to explore the vibrant cartoony worlds, taking in the adorable music, and barking for no reason at all. It was a wonderful treat that I hope to share with more friends some time in the future. In the meantime, there are still a bunch of collectable bones to fetch and one very good dog to pet.