Wireframe 2019

Early Access

Attract Mode

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LITTLE ROCK’S

TOP DOG

But, really, the most important

question of all is – which is

the best kind of dog? “Truly,

one of the universe’s most

difficult questions,” Little

Rock says. “We love them all,

we really do. All dogs have

the potential to be the best

if someone will give them

a chance! But as any dog

owner will tell you, the best

kind of dog in the world is

your own... so here is our dog,

Keanu Reeves.”

that shelters that need help the most may end
up with a bad reputation. No one ever wants to
have to euthanise. But since we want to raise
awareness, we don’t want to pretend that it’s
not potentially part of the job. It’s not glorified
or presented as an easy way out, but it’s an
important part of the experience.”
But this is a game, and there’s the option to
turn off the euthanasia mechanic for those who
feel strongly about it for whatever reason.
It’s not an aspect to
dwell on – this isn’t a dog
murdering simulation –
but it’s still quite jarring
to hear something so
fantastically twee does
cover such a tough, real-world element.
“The game has a pretty cute art style that
might suggest it’s more light-hearted than it is,
and one of the reasons for that was to make
it a little bit less realistic,” the team explains.
“In some ways, we want to subvert people’s
expectations about the type of experience that
they might have with that kind of game. We don’t

want to shock people, but we really want to

make games that are meaningful and that make

a difference.”

Even when opting out of its harder aspects,

To The Rescue! is sure to point out to the user

exactly what it is they’re opting out of, as well as

that “in reality, not every shelter has that option.”

But it’s not browbeating or forcing you to feel

bad – there’s the chance to engage with and

succeed in a niche management sim, growing

and succeeding in your

dog-rehoming business

just as you would in any

other managerial title.

Unlike the others,

though, To The Rescue!

offers one extra nugget to tempt in dog-lovers

of the world: you’ll be helping out real-world

shelters. “One really important thing for us is to

try and be honest,” Little Rock says. “Not only to

generate awareness but also to raise money for

real-world shelters. To that end, we are donating

20% of the profits to charities that support

shelters across the United States.”

Early Access

Attract Mode

“The game’s cute art style

might suggest it’s more

light-hearted than it is”

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 To The Rescue! may look

fluffy, but it forces some

tough decisions on players.

 It’s a sad fact that you’ll find

some dogs easier to rehome

than others.