Why aren’t there more games where you play as dogs? Dogs are awesome. Dog’s Life on PS2 is awesome. Humans are OK, I guess, but come on, more dog games please. Like this one!
This is Home Free, a game currently up on Kickstarter, which has you playing as a dog (Evan took a good look last year and liked what he saw). A lost dog (there are loads of breeds to choose from), who has to find their way home through a big procedurally-generated city.
There’s a touch of survival sim about it, as you need to find food and shelter at night, but on the other hand, this isn’t a desolate wasteland you’re left to die in alongside crazy human players. You’re a dog with a clear purpose, and the city is full of life, both human and animal.
I like the way developer Kevin Cancienne has gone about giving you control of the dog, too; there are combat moves for when you run into mean street dogs, but also social stuff for friendlier pups you might see in a park.
This means that there are multiple ways to stay alive and get home:
Decide how to survive. Will you be a bandit, stealing food from unsuspecting humans when you can? A performer, trying to earn treats and sympathy from dog-friendly citizens? Or a scavenger, sticking to the margins and following your nose?
You can check out more on Home Free here.