Summary
The bond between humans and animals is as sacred as it is easy to understand. Humans see cute animals; they want to pet those cute animals. This quintessential truth carries even into video games. Players see cute digital animals, and inevitably, they want their avatars to be able topet those cute digital animals.
Luckily, many modern developers understand this phenomenon and are happy to provide it. They will often go out of their way to include petting as an optional game mechanic, even if the game itself has very little to do with animal care or pets. Sometimes, petting animals in a video game is just a nice way of getting a little serotonin boost in between levels or bosses. Other times, there are real practical benefits to showering one’s in-game animals with love.
Way out on the dusty trails, there is no more sacred bond than that of a cowboy and histrusty steed. At least, that’s according to the 2018 smash-hitRedDead Redemption 2. In this action-adventure game, the player’s horse is not just a faithful companion. They’re also the main mode of transportation throughout the game. As such, taking proper care of one’s steed is essential for a successful career as an outlaw.
How the player treats their horse can influence their bond, which in turn affects how healthy and agile the horse can be. Regular feeding, brushing, and calming them down when they get scared are rewarded by increased health, stamina, and ability to safely navigate tougher terrain. This mechanic helps make the horses feel truly alive, rather than just a vehicle to hop on and off again without a second thought.
The term “animal” is used a bit loosely here, but for all intents and purposes, Pokemon are basically animals with type advantages. Since 1996, players have been bonding with their favorite Pokemon like any other pet, and have long wished to be able to give them the love they deserve.
In that regard,Pokemon X & Ywas like an answered prayer. Its brand-newPokemon-Amie featurenot only allowed players to pet the Pokemon on their team, but also give them treats, play fun mini-games with them, or even take turns making goofy faces at each other. The affection stats gained from using the Pokemon-Amie feature also increased the Pokemon’s experience in battle. However, most players were just happy they could finally give their team all the affection they deserved.
When living that small-town farm life inStardew Valley, cats and dogs don’t even scratch the surface of animal-scritching possibilities. In this farm simulator, players can erect barns and chicken coops toraise all manner of cute, pixelated livestock. Cows, chickens, sheep, pigs, and even rabbits can roam free, giving players extra-valuable produce in exchange for some basic food and affection.
Daily feeding is mandatory for animals to start producing milk and eggs, but that’s just the start. The happier and more loved these farm animals are, the better quality their produce becomes. Checking in with livestock each day while doing other daily tasks is one of the easiest (and cutest) ways tomaximize profits in the early game.
This popular DLC forThe Sims 4follows a common mentality among pet owners: pets are family. It’s not enough to allow players to simply adopt their new digital pet.Cats & Dogsallows them to fully create and customize their furry friends just like any other Sim. They can choose their appearance, breed, personality traits, and of course, dress them up in adorable collars, sweaters, and costumes.
On top of that, the game also gives players the full experience of pet ownership, with all its ups and downs. Take them on walks, give them baths, clean up messes of all kinds, and give them a nice backyard to zoom around in. Players can also go the next step and send their Sims toveterinary school and open their own clinic!
Nintendogsholds a special place in the hearts of manykids who grew up with a DS. It wasn’t the first game about adopting puppies and kittens, giving them pets, or taking them for walks. It didn’t pack the most features, like getting a license in veterinary medicine or riding on horseback across the South. ButNintendog’s simplicity is its greatest asset, the heart of its charm. Just a player and their digital fur-baby, happily doing all the things that real pet owners do when coming home from the shelter. Throwing toys across the room for them to fetch, teaching them new tricks, and forming a bond in a way that’s slow but organic.
In just about every other game, petting and bonding with animals is a fun little extra feature. But inNintendogs, that’s all it ever needed. No other game quite captures that gradual but rewarding process of building a relationship with a new pet. It’s why the game is so fondly remembered to this day.
