Pet Pals: New Leash on Life
The game starts out with an abandoned cat in an alley and immediately your heart goes
out to it. A rescue vehicle drives up and the scene cuts to the veterinary clinic and your
job as a vet begins. You are not alone - the team includes two techs, another veterinarian
and an "enrichment specialist". Yes, an enrichment specialist - a little like an animal
therapist because you not only have to cure the animals - you also have to socialize
them to make them attractive to new owners. That's the "New Leash On Life" part.
Your first tasks are to examine the animal; you monitor functions, do tests and make your
deductions. If necessary you medicate or operate on the animal. The tutorials are the best
of the entire series. A yellow highlight helps the player navigate through the techniques
needed.
The second part involves getting the pet ready for adoption, which involves, playing,
training grooming and socializing it so that it will appeal to a new owner. Anyone who
has taken in a feral cat will understand how important that process is. It is important to
establish trust with the animal before training it. When the pet doesn't understand a
question mark appears over its head - when it understands, a light bulb, and then treats
are in order.
The game is well put together with enough help to keep the player progressing without
frustration. 30 small animal cases - dogs cats, rabbits, chinchillas, iguanas and parrots are
very likely to be exactly the kind of animals that are around the house and I find that
easier to relate to than "Endangered Species". This is not a fast game but a thinking one. It's
you, the animals and the team. Besides a feast for would-be vets with a ton of
information, it helps de-mystify some of the procedures used on our own pets. The
techniques are so clearly described that the game should come with a disclaimer, "Don't
Try This At Home!"
Legacy, the producer, works with nonprofits and a portion of the sales from Pet Pals:
New Leash on Life goes to the Humane Society.
Reviewed by: Editor - 08/09
Ages: Everyone
Fun Factor: Mostly an in-depth experience of treating animals
Female Factor: You play as yourself
Player Friendly: Good instructions