on November 18, 2021. In Phogs!, players control a two-headed dog called Red and Blue. Phogs! received generally favorable reviews from critics.
Gameplay
Phogs! is a
boss battle.[3][2] The dog can be stretched, and can use its mouths to grab objects.[4] Some objects can be transmitted through the dog. If one side of the dog bites onto a water pipe, the water will come out of the other mouth.[2] Hats are purchased with golden bones, which can be found in the game's levels.[2]Non-player characters can be found in the game. Some may ask for items in exchange for golden bones.[2]
Development and release
Phogs! was developed by Bit Loom, a studio consisting of Douglas Flinders, Henry Pullan, and James Morwood.[5] The concept that the team had was based around competitive multiplayer. The concept involved dogs playing sports, and an early version of the game included a golfer dog.[5] However, Bit Loom saw competitive multiplayer as a "well-worn territory", leading the team to switch to a co-op puzzle focus.[5]Phogs! was originally supposed to contain nine worlds, but the team settled on three worlds.[5] Bit Loom took inspiration from games such as Hohokum, Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker, and Super Mario 3D World.[5]
Bit Loom won the Dare Academy competition at
Indie World event.[11][12] The game was given a release window of early 2020.[13]
Push Square's Stephen Tailby praised the accessibility and "neat" puzzles, but criticized the lack of challenge and the length of the game.[31] Luke Kemp from PC Gamer described Phogs! as a mix of "gentle puzzling" and "body horror". Kemp wrote that Phogs! was a "great" choice, calling the game a "guaranteed source of fun".[2]Gamezebo's Maria Alexander praised the controls and presentation, but felt that it could be "a bit twee for some".[1] Alexander recommended the game for everyone, describing Phogs! as an "experience like no other".[1]
Vikki Blake from
Nintendo Life commended the "fun" puzzles. She called the level theming "detailed" and "clever". Gray criticized the technical issues of the Switch version.[30] Steven Green, writing for Nintendo World Report, described the game as "delightful" and "unique". Green called the art style and world "charming and enjoyable", but felt the controls were "a little tough". Green also believed that the "inclusive" difficulty could have had more "variety".[3]
^ abcGreen, Steven (3 December 2020). "PHOGS! (Switch) Review". Nintendo World Report. Archived from the original on 26 February 2021. Retrieved 17 June 2022.
