For more on PS Vita Pets, check out our full PS Vita Pets review. Or, for more of the best PS Vita games for a 7 year old, why not try our Family Game Finder
PS Vita Pets is a virtual pet game on the PS Vita. After adopting a dog of your choosing from a selection of labradors, huskies, dalmatians and collies, you get to take your new friend home, and get to know each other a little better. You can dress him up, feed him, play games, and wash him - and perhaps most unusually, this time your pet can talk back!
Although it has a voice of its own, there's no need to come back and see your dog every day here though, as it won't get fed up, won't wonder off, and certainly won't die if you don't keep checking back on it. You can leave it for as long as you want without feeding it, and it'll still be fine.
However, there's more than just dog fondling here. If you fancy something a bit more in depth than just a friend to play fetch with, there's actually a bit of a story here, with a large forest to be explored when you're out on walks, secrets to be found, and the legend of King Rufus and his loyal hound, Cosmo to be uncovered.
However, while it may appeal to a younger audience, PS Vita Pets is harder than you to get the hang of than you might expect. The interface can take some getting used to, with a total lack of text on the buttons meaning you have to pretty much press everything at least once to see what it does, and and a general lack of anything in the way of prompts making finding your way a bit tricky at times. While older kids should be able to muddle through, younger kids may find they aren't sure where to go next, or don't know how to overcome a certain obstacle, meaning this is one best left to older players.
On the plus side for younger children, there's often very little reading involved, with most cutscenes being fully voiced - however, there is the odd time the game gives you a full page of text to read with no voiceover. While it's not crucial to be able to read (you should be able to figure out where to go next by following the trail of paw prints on the map), it does add to the story. Sample sentences include "You can see here in the journal, I have etched a clue to aid you." and "Follow the trail I have scribed, and you will not fail"
As a virtual pet game, there's very little for parents to be concerned about here, with no gore, violence, bad language or sex. There's no chance for your doggy to make other baby doggies, and the only real thing of note here is a brief spot of mild peril, where it looks like your dog might fall into a bottomless pit if you don't tap him fast enough. Other than that, there's nothing to worry about here.
Age Ratings
Format Reviewed: PS Vita
