Phogs! Reviews
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.
PHOGS! is a real gaming treat. It's a very well crafted co-op focused experience which works whether the players are of equal or different skill levels. It's a budget release, yet feels very content-rich for the price. And it creates a unique world that is both memorable and fun to experience.
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.
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.
While it may struggle to hold a solo player's interest, Phogs! is a fantastically delightful and easygoing co-operative experience.
The game leans heavily into its whimsical style, too. Colourful graphics and cute creatures make the world a fun place to explore, and unlockable cosmetics mean you can dress up your doggies as well. The whole thing is just happy, eager to please, and family friendly — like an actual dog, really.
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.
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.
I really, really wanted to love Phogs!, but I simply couldn't. It really is a lovely idea, set in a lovely world and there's a simple joy to the game's opening. It's clear just how much love went into this game, right down to the Hollywood Bowl carpet at the bowling alley, but the execution just leaves you wanting. Between the repetition and the bugs, there's just too much to get frustrated with, making the game, at times, an uphill struggle.
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.
With its weaponized cuteness and deceptively deep physics platforming shenanigans, PHOGS! succeeds grandly as a hugely entertaining effort which truly shines when played with a local friend. PHOGS! is absolutely one physics puzzler that you should take for walkies.
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! is a great two-player co-op puzzle game with just enough floppiness to make executing the solutions challenging. Never frustrating but always satisfying, PHOGS! is a solid choice for kids or adults. Gorgeous storybook art and fantastic music keep PHOGS! warm and fun, and a simple control design makes the game accessible to a wide range of audiences. Clever, charming, and fun.
Playful and wholesome and stuffed with adorable creatures.
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.
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...
PHOGS! is a puzzler aimed at those who want a fun escape and a chilled out experience, but also welcomes them to a place filled with happiness, charm, and comfort.
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.