Petz: Bunnyz Bunch
Score: 90% ESRB: Everyone Publisher: Ubisoft Entertainment Developer: Media: Cartridge/1 Players: 1 Genre: Simulation
Graphics & Sound: Without fail, you can always count on hearing horror stories of pet bunnies being abandoned shortly after Easter. I've personally never got the point behind the "tradition," but it seems to happen every year. Just in time for Easter, UbiSoft is rolling out a better, more logical solution with Petz: Bunnyz Bunch for the DS. Although it isn't as warm or snuggly as a real rabbit, it's much more fun and doesn't end with you having to clean the cage (or another case of rabbit abandonment). Bunnyz Bunch is bright and incredibly appealing. The emphasis here is on cute. Bunnies coo, chirp and make other puppy-like noises while they make all sorts of playful gestures. At the same time, there are a number of smart visual cues as well. The interface is completely touch-based and doesn't take very long to learn. Even younger players should have no trouble instantly picking up the stylus and figuring out what to do. Even the subtlest of gestures evoke a big, animated reaction, making everything easy to understand. A bit of reading is required early on, though most ideas are communicated through pictures. The images aren't always the best communicators (particularly during mini-games), but still manage to get the point across. The only visual area where Bunnyz Bunch stumbles is menu navigation. The Main Menu is buried behind a nondescript arrow tucked in the corner. I sometimes found it easy to miss, especially when the focus was on my pet. I was always able to find it, but constantly thought it did something else. The magnifying glass, which switches room views, was also hard to find. I get that the idea is to maximize play space, but not when it involves sacrificing ease of use.
Gameplay: Petz: Bunnyz Bunch is more of a toy than a game. You choose a breed of rabbit, name it and spend the rest of the time taking care of it like you would a normal pet... well, sort of. If you've ever owned a rabbit (or known someone who has), you know they aren't the most exciting of pets. I tend to stick them in the same category as fish. They're fun to look at and sometimes do really cool things. At the same time, they're not the most interactive of animals, limiting the number of things you can do with them. Bunnyz Bunch takes a different approach. The animal on screen may look like a bunny, but it acts more like a puppy. You can purchase toys, such as boxes with holes cut in it, to play with or lead it through mini-games. There's are a few mini-games to unlock, such as a "follow me" race where you need to ring a bell to guide your bunny down set lanes and collect prizes. Mini-games are rewarded for performing in-game actions, offering players something to work towards. Unlocks come quickly, but at the same time, it's nice to have some motivating factor. Even with a pet store full of unlockables ahead of you, the real fun is whatever you make of it. I tended to stick to mini-games, though some players may have just as much fun simply petting their bunny or finding other ways to interact with it. There's no "wrong way" to play, which is a major positive. I have doubts on how long the lack of direction will keep kids entertained, but I suppose that's something for parents to decide based on their kid.
Difficulty: Petz: Bunnyz Bunch isn't a incredibly hard game, though it isn't without its challenges. Mini-games are timed and you have to keep an eye on how many points you have to spend on goodies. For instance, if it's time to bathe your bunny and you've spent all your money on food, you'll need to find a way to earn a little more to buy shampoo. This is usually as easy as playing a mini-game, so there's never a chance of outright losing. Instead, you're inconvenienced for a few minutes. Mini-games could, however, benefit from better explanation. I was usually able to figure out exactly what I needed to do after one try, though it would have been nice to know what I was trying to do beforehand. It's not that the concept is particularly taxing, but it tends to just toss out an idea and ask you to figure out what you're supposed to do.
Game Mechanics: I really like Petz: Bunnyz Bunch's subtle way of teaching responsibility. Since the game leaves you to create your own fun with your bunny, neglecting your duties as a pet owner leads to a cranky bunny. It's a keen little loop. I also like that you really need to pay attention to your bunny's likes and dislikes. Each breed has its own particular tastes. If it doesn't like something, it'll be less cooperative. You can, however, train your pet to like something with a little patience and persistence. Again, it's a subtle way of communicating the ideas behind those traits. I can't say for sure how effective the approach is, but like that the attempt is at least being made. Bunnyz Bunch isn't something for every kid, but kids who are into animals or really want a pet (but can't have one for one reason or another) will dig it. Again, parents will need to make a judgment call on how well their kids can stick to a mostly directionless task, though I also think kids could use a bit of a kick in the right direction when it comes to using their imaginations.
-Starscream, GameVortex Communications AKA Ricky Tucker
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