Dogurai

Apr 24, 2020

Dogurai is truly a hidden gem on the Switch eShop. Challenging, engaging and memorable despite its short length, it’s a steal at its current eShop price. It may not reinvent the wheel, but it’s a great budget platformer.

Apr 17, 2020

Dogurai is an homage to retro platformers like Mega Man, with the inspirations being very clear. Simple controls and infinite lives make it easy to pick up and play, although it only takes a couple hours to complete. Some sections can be a bit tough, but overall it's a good time.

Jul 14, 2020

In the end, Dogurai makes for a nice enough retro throwback that can act as a snack between meatier titles. The game isn't too difficult, but it is simple to understand, and it apes the mechanics of older games well enough to earn that challenge. The length of the game is buoyed by the presence of two endings and a new character, while the aesthetic fits perfectly for those who want to treat the Switch as a portable rather than a home console. At $5, Dogurai is certainly worth it for those who want to scratch that retro action platforming itch.

Jun 1, 2020

The game will last about an hour or two depending on your platforming skills. If you want more of a challenge you can try the Hard difficulty mode where you are given only 6 lives to complete the entire game. For $5, Dogurai might tickle that nostalgic itch for a bit, however once you get over the initial thrill of playing a modern Game Boy style game there isn’t much else here that will keep your attention. The game never truly lives up to its full potential, but as a relatively inexpensive little game, it’s not bad.

Apr 18, 2020

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Apr 10, 2020

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Apr 24, 2020

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Feb 22, 2023

Dogurai is an interesting game, purely from it being a throwback to the games of yesteryear. But it’s not a great fit on Xbox, with the short and sweet levels possibly more suited to something like a Nintendo Switch. Still, if you want to take a trip back in time, Dogurai may be for you.

Apr 11, 2020

If you have a fondness for classic Game Boy games then you'll have a nostalgia-fueled good time with the fun yet simplistic Dogurai.Dogurai gameplay video → WordHerd Review Switch ★★★☆☆ Finding words on a grid filled with letter tiles is a classic puzzle formula but putting animals into the mix is almost unHerd of. I'm a big fan of the classic puzzler Bookworm from PopCap Games and have great memories of playing it a lot so I purchased WordHerd in the hopes that it would fill the void of no new Bookworm games coming out lately.

Aug 5, 2020

Sadly, reaching the end of Dogurai feels less like the rewarding success of a job well done and more like getting home from a long day at work. Sure, you're home now, but it would've been nicer to spend your day at home or feeling productive. The game's eight short levels can be completed in less than five hours if you search for the unrewarding secrets. This is with some padding, as one of the levels is reused and another has you fighting all of the bosses that you have fought up to that point. While the concept and some aspects of the gameplay are interesting, the game feels like a no-frills nostalgia trip for someone with little time to spare. While this could be a mindless way to pass the time, Dogurai largely falls short in engaging the player in a meaningful way.