Petz Horsez 2 – Review

Petz Horsez 2 is a mystery game mixed with horse care. We love this game and played it over and over again to see all the different endings. It’s a hidden gem and here is my review for the game.

Why Petz Horsez 2?

Petz Horsez 2, developed by Ubisoft, is an equestrian adventure game that combines horse care, riding simulation, and a light mystery storyline. Released for various platforms including PC (and Steam), PlayStation 2, and Nintendo DS, this title caters to younger players who love horses and enjoy nurturing gameplay mechanics. However the DS compared to the PC is like to different games.

The game is set in the countryside, where you play as a young character who visits a ranch. The narrative unfolds through a series of tasks and challenges as you raise horses, train them, and uncover a local mystery involving a shady character and the ranch’s future. The story is complex with lots of different endings and choices to make, it adds a sense of progression and purpose to the gameplay.

The core gameplay focuses on horse care (feeding, grooming, and bonding), training in various disciplines (jumping, cross-country, dressage), and exploring the open environments. Players can customize their character and horses, and each horse has different stats and personalities. The mini-games tied to caring and riding add variety, though they can become repetitive over time.

The visuals are colorful and friendly, with stylized horses and scenic backdrops. While the graphics are dated by modern standards, they’re still serviceable for the game. The music is calm and cheerful and the sound effects add to the cozy ranch atmosphere.

It’s available on the PC from Steam, Nintendo Wii, Playstation, and Nintendo DS.

How We Test Games

For testing games we use a Nintendo Switch firmware version 2H. Hardware includes Joy-con and Pro controller on a large screen TV. Tests are done with up to 5 players. We take turns playing and evaluating games.

Whenever possible we play multiple players. We also use a Nintendo 2DS, DS XL, and for PC games we use a Ryzen 7 1700x CPU, AMD RX580, running on Win 10. This game is up to 1-players on a computer/steam.

Pros

Kid-friendly and fun to play.

Fun horse care and riding mechanics.

Light adventure story adds interest.

Open-world areas encourage exploration.

Cons

Repetitive mini-games and tasks.

Basic graphics and animations.

Can be a bit challenging for younger players.

Summary

Overall, Petz Horsez 2 is a wholesome and accessible horse simulation game that appeals to animal lovers and even mystery lovers. Its mix of storytelling, open-area exploration, and horse care makes it engaging, especially for those new to the genre. Though it be harder younger players, it offers a relaxing and enjoyable experience.