- Site: Petz: Catz 2, Petz: Dogz 2
- Publisher: Ubisoft, TransGaming, Inc.
- Developer: Ubisoft
- Genre: Simulation
By Brad Cook
The Dude abides. Well, usually he does, but today he’s decided to be difficult. My American shorthaired cat may look silly with his jester hat and tail pom-pom, but he isn’t in a happy mood. He refuses to obey any of the commands I give him, including sit, where he’s earned gold status.
Then I realize the error of my ways: He needs to relieve himself really badly, and we’re outside. He and I head into the bathroom, where he can use the litter box. I decide to clean him up in the bathtub and give him a good brushing while I’m at it. Afterward, he wants to take a nap, so I take the opportunity to check our latest challenges. One of them — teach him patience by keeping a treat away from him — sounds like a good one to tackle when he wakes up.
Later, I’ll check on my beagle, Sparky, and see how he’s doing. He and I have managed to unlock nearly half of the 72 objects available in Dogz 2; I can open my photo album to relive the exploits that led us there. He’s in gold territory across nearly the entire board of voice commands, a feat that wasn’t easy to achieve, given his breed’s stubborn temperament.
Virtual Pet Ownership
Whether you own one pet, a menagerie of them, or are pet-free, here’s your chance to try out a variety of dogs and cats in the virtual world. Catz 2 and Dogz 2 each feature seven breeds that you name, care for, train, play with, and accessorize in various ways. Eventually, you could even own a green-furred dog who wears a baseball cap and a bandana, once you’ve unlocked enough options.
Each game includes four areas — kitchen, living room, bathroom, and park — that you and your pet explore. Dogs dig up toys in the park and chase stray cats out of the bushes while cats get a mischievous gleam in their eyes and play hide-and-seek just about anywhere. All of the animals eat and drink in the kitchen, bathe and get brushed in the bathroom, and sleep and play dress-up in the living room.
A variety of challenges bring your pet skills to the forefront as you teach your animal tricks, from the basic sit command to pulling off a back flip. Don’t forget to praise your pet and give it treats and head rubs (click and hold the mouse, then move it around to simulate touching your pet) for a job well done. You can snap photos of your pets’ adventures and view them in the journal, where you can also write notes about their lives.
Unlockables
During your pet’s adventures, you’ll unlock 72 toys, dress-up options, pieces of furniture, and other items. Check your journal to see how far you’ve gotten. In the dress-up area in the living room, you’ll eventually have all manner of accessories available, including off-beat fur colors (red, anyone?) unique footwear and headgear (a propeller beanie is always a fun choice), intriguing collars and other neckwear, and more.
Looks like I need to run. The Dude is up and I must dangle a treat in front of his nose, so he can learn how to be patient before I give it to him. When that’s done, maybe I’ll snap a photo of him wearing some silly dress-up gear in front of a wilderness scene.
Game Hardware
Check out our systems for your best gaming experience.
Look What the Dog Dug Up. Your pet can uncover all kinds of treasures.
The Dude Boogies. Click that stereo on the table to switch between different types of music and watch your pet dance.
Quite a Display. Here’s where you dress up your pet and pose it in front of different colorful backgrounds.
If you liked these games, check out:
Catz 2 & Dogz 2 System Requirements:
- Mac OS X version 10.4.11 or 10.5.2
- Intel Core Duo processor
- 1GB of RAM
- Video card: Nvidia 7300 or ATI X1600 or higher, or Intel GMA 950 chipset
- 269MB hard disk space
Catz Breeds
- Abyssinian: This smart animal likes to be in the water. Its curious nature is fun to watch.
- American Shorthair: Give this cat plenty of exercise to work off all the food it will want to eat.
- Bengal: Another water-loving breed, this jungle immigrant learns tricks faster than other types of cats.
- Burmese: Playing fetch is this cat’s strong suit, although it doesn’t have much in the way of survival instincts. Its short coat doesn’t need a lot of brushing.
- Maine Coon: Mischievous and easy-going, this breed also likes to play fetch, although they don’t need as much attention as Burmese.
- Persian: They need more grooming than other cats, since their thick fur gets dirty easily, especially outside. They love to pose in the dress-up area, however, and they readily respond to your interactions.
- Siamese: The most talkative of the game’s breeds, Siamese crave attention and hate being ignored.
Dogz Breeds
- Alaskan Husky: While these dogs carry out commands well, sometimes they won’t listen if they don’t see the point, so keep that in mind while training them. For example, while most dogs will probably obey commands when they’re hungry, huskies likely won’t.
- Beagle: They love to eat, but they can be stubborn. Luckily, their coat is easy to care for.
- Boxer: Another stubborn dog, boxers can also be sneaky, but they make up for it by loving to be around you, exercising, and playing fetch.
- Border Collie: These smart dogs need a lot of exercise, but make sure you take care of their thick coats.
- German Shepherd: You can easily train and play with these dogs, but they require constant attention. Brush them every day.
- Labrador Retriever: This balanced animal has an even temperament and is very smart.
- Rottweiler: Another dog that craves companionship, train this breed carefully and you’ll be rewarded with a calm pet.