Turns out that Fantasy Friends is a series of virtual pet games that I’ve never heard of, but this new entry in the series is a bit different.  Play as a girl who travels to dream worlds and has her Fantasy Friend pets help her out in this 2D isometric puzzle platformer.  It’s available on PlayStation consoles, Switch, and PC, but reviewed on PS4 here.

You travel to six different worlds with four levels each.  In every world is a different Fantasy Friend pet to help you out.  Your character can only move and pick up objects, and the goal is to make it to the door at the end of the level.  Your Fantasy Friend pal can help you out with a special move and way to get around, and each one is different.  For instance, in the grass levels, the goat can help you climb steps and use a headbutt move to push blocks around to help you solve puzzles.  The dolphin in the beach world lets you swim in the water and shoots water to hit long distance objects.  The penguin in the snow world lets you slide on ice and create ice blocks, and so on.

In each level are several objects to collect.  Crystal droplets can be use to buy different colors for your pet helpers.  You can feed your pet macaroons you collect as well.  There is a separate screen where you can pet, wash, and feed your pet as well as switch out their colors.  Taking care of your pet this way won’t do anything, I think it’s just there to pay homage to the past Fantasy Friends virtual pet games.  And finally, if you can find an egg and carry it all the way to the end of the level, you’ll unlock another new color for your pets.  Aside from the game being a little buggy and the isometric perspective making it a bit hard to figure out some of the puzzles, this is a fairly decent game.  I think older kids may find it a bit too slow and plodding, but younger gamers may find some enjoyment out of it.

Kid Factor:

Nothing violent or objectionable here.  Reading skill isn’t needed, but some very young players may need help with a few of the tougher puzzles.  Fantasy Friends: Dream Worlds is rated E for Everyone.

Tags: Game Reviews