The internet can be a place of refuge from the relentless bombardment of current events or bad-faith arguments for which it is in turn, a sieve. One of these many safe-havens is the section of the worldwide web carved out for the "good boys" and the "borkers": the dog-ternet. This wholesome area is brought to colorful life in the dating-sim meets pet-care game, Best Friend Forever.
From New Zealand game studio Starcolt, Best Friend Forever perfectly captures the tone of dog memes that became popular on Tumblr and other similar sites. Of course, dogs captured humans' hearts long before online blogs and forums. But it's the special combination of popular online trends and the irresistible tail-wag of a pooch that gives Best Friend Forever its formula for success.
Best Friend Forever is set in the fictional town of Rainbow Bay, a cozy little village where pretty much every resident has a dog. The player creates their character, forming the basis for their personality that will shape what residents are available to romance. It is, after all, a dating sim, and there are plenty of cute characters to flirt with.
But on Rainbow Bay, without a dog companion, there's almost no way out of singledom. So it's off to the adoption center, where the player selects an adorable pup. They'll be right by their side the entire game, barking in encouragement during conversations with hunks and ladies. They'll even occasionally start digging, tugging, or pooping. The player has to interact with simple taps and drags to get their restless canine pal to behave (or to clean up their number 2s).
When their dog isn't helping (or hurting) the flow of a conversation, players will still get to spend plenty of time with them training and relaxing. At the start of the week - of which there are 15 in each Act - the player chooses the activities they want to do with their best friend, from a jog in the park to grabbing a puppuccino. Each activity increases certain relevant stats, like Trust or Sociability. It's key to have a well-balanced pup so that they can pass Paws Academy at the end of the Act.
The player also has to keep their dog happy by feeding them and bathing them, balancing out their Satiation and Hygiene, among others. Its not particularly challenging to raise a well-behaved pooch (not like real life) but its still satisfying to see the progress. A dog that may start out unsociable will eventually stop barking at every cute man and woman met.
It's clear from the get-go that Best Friend Forever is an inclusive and uniquely queer game, in a way that only dating-sims seem to aspire. Players can choose from a male, female, or gender neutral character, and all players are able to date characters of both genders. There's a good amount of representation in the cast, and their personalities are distinct and unique. In general, the writing in Best Friend Forever is dorky - it knows its audience well, but doesn't overly pander to them. Conversations are cute, short, and along with moments with the dogs, provide just the right amount of dopamine.
When not hanging one-on-one with the pooch, players will meet up with various characters throughout the week. They'll have to pick and choose who to spend time with, as there are limited interactions available each time. These conversations often contain at least one dialogue choice that can win you favor with the character - or completely befuddle them. If the game has one major issue, it's that sometimes it can be very unclear what response is best. But one supposes that is just the mystery of dating.
Like the internet, video games can be a source of escape from the realities of daily life. Best Friend Forever takes place in a world without social distancing, one where best friends of both varieties (human and canine) are ready to be made. Its sweet and inclusive cast, and simple yet rewarding pet interactions help the game dig out a niche for itself in the dating-sim market. Still, its "pawesome" in its own right.
Best Friend Forever is available now on the Nintendo Switch and on PC/Mac. Screen Rant was provided with a PC copy for the purposes of this review.