Have you ever wanted to raise your own genetically mutated pup? Well, there’s a Steam game focused on exactly that, and it probably deserves more success than it’s managed in the four years since it launched. Wobbledogs, from developer Animal Uprising, is described on Steam as “a 3D pet simulation where you raise your own hive of mutating dogs.”
It’s as much a comedic game as it is a simulator, for two reasons. Firstly, the dogs look ridiculous. They’re made up of an amalgamation of shapes, including lengthy, cuboid torsos and enormous tails, somewhat reminiscent of the creatures in the early noughties British children’s show Bamzooki.
Secondly, Wobbledogs has some wacky physics in play, which means it’s a good laugh just observing your pets. “Two dogs with separate body structures will experience the world in different ways,” reads the “about this game” section on Steam.
Impressively, each Wobbledog also has a simulated genetics system. “As they age, they periodically enter a pupal state and physically mutate. The foods they eat fill their guts with different flora… [which] influence the dogs’ mutations, letting you craft and mold them to fit your own idea of canine (im)perfection!”
Image: Animal Uprising/Secret Mode
Wobbledogs is very much a make-your-own-fun sort of game though, so there are no explicit goals other than enjoying yourself. You can create and design habitats for your dogs, and you’ll unlock more cosmetic decorations and objects as you play. “Give your dogs a relaxing place to sleep, set up a maze, or even cultivate a garden.”
“I fed a family only Doritos for like eight generations to try to give them long legs and they ended up incredibly orange,” reads one positive review. “This game is absolutely amazing. I get struck with waves of happiness every time I play,” reads another.
It can also be an alarming game, however, as this review explains: “Got my first dog Pancake. Played with him, fed him, loved him. Got some more dogs for Pancake. Pancake played with them. Was best friends with Randy. Watch Pancake grow older & change with the minutes. Always happy and playful. I loved Pancake.
“Proceeds to die right in front of me. My other 4 dogs then come over & eat his dead body right in front of me, all while I’m still in shock that dogs can die in this game.”
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Rest in peace, Pancake. Wobbledogs is currently $19.99, but regularly goes on sale for as little as $4.99, so I’d recommend putting it on your wishlist and holding fire until it drops again.
