When you think of Metroidvania games, you would be forgiven for thinking that it’s always something dark and dreary, with plenty of danger all around. However, Team17 and Observer Interactive are flipping the convention with Good Boy, a heart-warming, ecosystem-driven adventure that is all about wonderful memories.
In this world, the LAIKA Programme has given old dogs a new lease on life by transferring their consciousness into Rovers, allowing them to live on forever as a brave space explorer. As a Space Rover, players will embark on a quest to sniff out and investigate the planet Terra II to research the lifeforms that call it home, and bond with their new human friend.
Of course, you will need more than just good instinct on the alien planet. Use a variety of tools and upgrades to capture the exotic creatures, harness their unique abilities to overcome obstacles and expand the world or bring them back to Homebase where they can be scanned for Research Credits. The Rover can also be upgraded with enhancements to become more effective, and there will be cosmetics to unlock as well.
Along the way, there will be other Rovers that can be found and rebooted, providing side quests, unique rewards, and more opportunities to remember their past by unlocking their hidden memory tapes.
Perhaps the most interesting thing about the game is that these characters you will meet in Good Boy exist, “based on real life pets of the developers”. We can already feel the intimate and touching stories and anecdotes coming, so prepare yourself for not just a possibly fun time, but also an emotional journey across different biomes such as lush forests to stinky swamps and snowy mountain tops.
For now, there is no release date set yet for Good Boy, but more details will be shared in the coming months.
