When you hear Dog Man is getting a PS5 game, you might wonder, “wait… the comic book series? The one about a half-dog, half-cop hero fighting crime in a goofy, chaotic world?” Yep, that’s the one. And here we are, controllers in hand, ready to dive into Dog Man’s first proper console outing. But does this tail-wagging adventure fetch success, or should it stay in the doghouse?
First impressions count, and Dog Man nails the presentation. The game embraces the comic book art style with bright colours, thick outlines, and a sense of childlike fun that feels ripped straight from the pages. The cutscenes play out like animated comic strips, complete with onomatopoeic sound effects—BOOM! WHACK! SPLAT!—and it’s genuinely charming. Kids (and big kids, let’s be honest) will love it.
It’s important to note right away: Dog Man is very much a game for younger players and fans of Dav Pilkey’s beloved books. If you’ve spent time giggling through the adventures of Dog Man, Cat Kid, and the rest of the gang, this game is tailor-made for you. The humour, the silliness, and the light-hearted chaos all feel like an extension of the source material.
The gameplay itself is a mix of light platforming, puzzle-solving, and head-stomping combat. You’ll guide Dog Man and his friends through quirky levels, bashing evil robots, solving simple puzzles, and collecting comic pages scattered throughout each stage. Think a 2D Ratchet & Clank with training wheels. It’s not ground-breaking, but it doesn’t have to be—it’s fun, and that’s what counts.
The controls are snappy, and Dog Man moves with cartoonish agility, with some surprising momentum and weight to his movement. There’s a surprising amount of variety in level design too; one moment, you’re in a chaotic city, the next you’re sneaking through a police station that’s been taken over by crazy robot policemen… a range of skills and gadgets can be unlocked along the way as well
But here’s the rub: Dog Man occasionally stumbles over its own paws. Combat can feel repetitive after a while, and enemy AI seems to have the intelligence of a sleepy goldfish. The boss fights are fun but rely heavily on pattern recognition rather than true challenge, and older players might breeze through them without breaking a sweat.
However, Dog Man isn’t trying to be Elden Ring. This is a game squarely aimed at kids and fans of the series, and on that front, it succeeds. The humour hits, with silly dialogue and fourth-wall-breaking jokes sprinkled throughout. The collectibles are meaningful too, often unlocking behind-the-scenes sketches and fun costumes for Dog Man.
Performance-wise, the PS5 handles Dog Man effortlessly. Load times are near-instant, and the game runs smoothly at 60fps, even during more chaotic sequences. DualSense support isn’t ground-breaking but adds some fun vibrations during key moments—like when Dog Man smashes through walls or bounces off trampolines.
The campaign clocks in at around six hours, with a few side activities and collectibles padding things out. It’s short, but honestly, it’s the perfect length for the target audience.
So, should you grab Dog Man on PS5? If you’re a fan of the comic series or looking for a light-hearted adventure for a younger gamer, absolutely. It’s charming, silly, and has enough heart to overcome its occasional rough patches. But if you’re hunting for deep mechanics or a ground-breaking experience… well, maybe sniff out another game.
Reviewed on PS5
