Two things became apparent during Nintendo Life's time with TREVA's Horse Vet 3D. The first is that, apparently, everyone owns a horse; the second is that these horses needed a lecture in safe mating, as nearly all the horses treated had scabies at one point or another. Horse Vet 3D, like TREVA's recent offerings Top Model 3D and Outback Pet Rescue 3D, is a poor attempt at a simulation that can't justify its expensive asking price.
Horse Vet 3D has a similar structure to Outback Pet Rescue 3D, with players wandering aimlessly around an isometric world as a lifeless female avatar, "diagnosing" and "treating" sick or injured horses. You should definitely consult the manual before playing, as there is very little in the way of instruction or direction as to what to do. This is problematic, especially for younger players who will likely be at a loss as to what to do next or where to go.
The game uses a day cycle similar to TREVA's other simulation titles, allowing you to see patients, go into town and buy supplies and food, and ride horses. The actual veterinarian portion of Horse Vet 3D is quite boring; you're given a description of symptoms and have to tap the horse with the stylus to locate the problems — a circle will highlight the correct trouble spots, and you'll be told what to do, which is usually "remove X" and "disinfect with Y." There's no real challenge. Completing a consultation will earn money, which must be spent on additional supplies, medication and tools.
Some horses require in-patient treatment, which amounts to a very thin attempt at keeping the horse as a virtual pet; you can also ride horses in the main game, as well as from the main menu. It is — unfortunately — a sluggish, unsatisfying experience, with clunky controls and no excitement.
Visually this game is bland, with a lifeless world and blurry, dull colours that seem to be ripped directly from Outback Pet Rescue 3D. With generic music and frequently repeated voices that sound tinny, Horse Vet 3D's presentation leaves a lot to be desired in every aspect; don't bother with the 3D effect, which simply blurs and dulls the visuals even more.
Conclusion
It's disconcerting to see games like Horse Vet 3D on the eShop at a hefty price — these titles are not fundamentally broken, but they offer no compelling reason to keep playing and certainly can't justify the investment. Even for fans of the equestrian world, Horse Vet 3D offers too little to justify a recommendation.
Comments 9
3/10, at least they're -wait for it- stable with their product, ahem...
love the smell of horse dung in the mornin'.......not
I'm just waiting for one of these animal games to get a 10, is that too much to ask for in life? Someone get Peter Molyneux to make a god game animal farm/vet style
@andrea987 your comment just made the production of this game worth it, Haha
It's sp lovely!
http://youtu.be/jzYzVMcgWhg
And Reggie thinks letting more of these through has more potential than the Virtual Console. He needs to either get some sense with quality control or step down.
Years from now, we'll remember the 3DS for having some truly amazing games...as well as floods of pet simulators and hidden object games.
@Specter_Twilight My daughter has asked for one of them in the past. Most parents would just get it because their kid asked for it. I'm an experienced gamer and I know better.
However, I do know what it's like to want a game, buy it, and find out it's dog poooooooop (Thanks, Stunt Race FX). It's a good life lesson that I want my kids to have as well. I let her save up her money and she bought Club Penguin for the DS and she immediately realized that it was crap. I gave her the "Now you know..." talk and it was satisfying.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QqaqpjcZP-U
Tap here to load 9 comments
Leave A Comment
Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...