Pupperazzi is a simple game with a simple premise - explore the world and photograph dogs. Viral social media accounts such as Twitter's WeRateDogs and CanIPetTheDog have given rise to dog-petting as a must-have mechanic for games featuring four-legged friends, whether they be AAA or indie, and Pupperazzi takes the idea to new heights with not only pettable dogs, but also the addition of a camera, objectives, and countless cute pups to capture on film.
Pupperazzi is a first-person photography title set in a world overrun by dogs. Players are tasked with traversing a handful of different locations as a walking camera, completing objectives implemented throughout each level in order to progress. Objectives involve photographing different dogs in different ways, making use of the game’s various unlockable lenses and film, and encouraging player exploration. Unlike other photography games like Pokémon Snap, the game isn’t on-rails, instead giving players the opportunity to explore each level at their own pace. As well as the core level completion, players can snap each and every dog type to complete their Puppypedia, as well as conditional images, such as Dog Wearing Hat, or Sleeping Dog. Players must also grow their following on the in-game social media platform, dogNET, by sharing their best snaps for the in-game world to enjoy. There are some limits to the gameplay though, with only a set number of photographs uploadable per day so as to avoid “spamming” followers, while camera film and lenses cost in-game currency: golden bones known as Bonks.
Pupperazzi adopts an adorable and unique style for its many dogs, choosing an instantly-recognizable cartoon-esque aesthetic packed with charm and identity. Both the dogs and the levels are filled with character, with the dogs showcasing a range of different personalities and traits. Exploring each level, players can stumble across dogs competitively skateboarding, sunbathing, playing with sticks and balls, napping, and interacting with other dogs they meet. The AI here is impressive, with each level feeling fully alive with canine camaraderie. It’s hard not to smile when encountering a very focused-looking dog on a bicycle, repeatedly banging into another pooch’s sandcastle, or when a pack of pups band together to dance to music blasting from a radio placed by the player.
Looking at accessibility, Pupperazzi uses text instead of speech, though the size of the text isn’t changeable, and subtitles might still have been a bonus for those who are deaf or hard of hearing, if only to better demonstrate when a dog is barking. Dogs mostly use visual cues which goes some way in combating this, with dog emotions conveyed through hearts, questions marks, and more. Settings can be tweaked in a few ways, allowing for automatic running to prevent long button or key presses, while Look Sensitivity and Simplified Controls aim to make the experience better for those who suffer from motion sickness or for those unfamiliar with first-person games. The movement of cars can also be turned off for those who be uncomfortable with moving vehicles shown around dogs.
Pupperazzi is a short yet sweet game, and users can roll the credits within just a couple of hours. Levels refresh with new objectives, while new weather conditions and day/night cycles offer some variety per area. Once the game’s beaten, players can also continue to grow their dogNET following and complete their Puppypedia, or try to take artsier photos with some of the more expensive lenses, offering more replayability.
With its charming world, enjoyable soundtrack, and dogs brimming with character, there’s lots of fun to be had with Pupperazzi. Unfortunately, replaying the levels even with variable weather conditions and day/night options can get stale a few hours in. Exploring is a joy the first time, but once players have seen everything there is to offer, there’s not much else. There's also some inconsistencies with dogNET, with users' responses sometimes praising a photo for elements it doesn't include. Despite this, Pupperazzi is barking up the right tree for dog fans. Thanks to its simple controls, this wholesome indie game is one that can be enjoyed by the whole family, and with its humor and cute pups, it’s hard not to crack a smile while snapping away.
Pupperazzi comes to Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PC on January 20. It is also available on Xbox Game Pass from day one. Screen Rant was provided digital Steam and Xbox keys for the purposes of this review.