Dog Man: Mission Impawsible Review

Game: Dog Man: Mission Impawsible
Genre: Action, Platformer, Adventure, Arcade
System: Nintendo Switch (Also on Steam (Windows), Xbox X/S and PS4/5)
Developer | Publisher: Floor 84 Studio | Mindscape
Age Rating: US Everyone | EU 3+
Price: US $39.99 | UK £34.99 | EU € 39,99
Release Date: December 6th, 2024

A review code was used, with many thanks to Games Branding.

I like a pun, so I couldn’t resist playing Dog Man: Mission Impawsible. Based on the graphic novels by Dav Pilkey, this adventure follows the titular character and his friends as they chase down a thief.

Let’s pounce in, dig around and see what Dog Man: Mission Impawsible has to offer!

Dog Man: Mission Impawsible – The Plot

Cartoon style of the mayor presenting a key to a group of figures silhouetted on the stage. There is bubble writing above saying Supa Buddies, with the mayor saying, “What an honor for the Supa Buddies”. Published on: LadiesGamers — Supa Buddies … or are they?

Dog Man: Mission Impawsible starts with a comic-style narrative, explaining that the Supa Buddies are being awarded the key to the city.

Cartoon style of the imposters running off with the key, and a TV crew reporting “Breaking news! The key to the city has been STOLEN.” Published on: LadiesGamers — Oh no!

However, it wasn’t the Supa Buddies on stage; it was the F.L.E.A.S. (Fuzzy Little Evil Animal Squad). What will happen now that Piggy has the key? What will he do with the freedom of the whole city?

Cartoon style of Dog Man standing on grass outside his dog house, with the chief yelling “The city needs your help! Piggy has stolen the key to the city!” Published on: LadiesGamers — Hero ready!

Only one man… well, half man, half dog… can find the key and save the city – Dog Man. However, we soon find out that Dog Man will need the help of his Supa Buddies, Li’l Petey and 80-HD, but where are they?

And so your mission, should you choose to accept it, begins.

Dog Man: Mission Impawsible – The Action

Dog Man running along a ledge, which has an open gap above it. There is a robot police man below, standing on a pressure plate. Published on: LadiesGamers — Which way now?!

Dog Man: Mission Impawsible is a 2D platformer that uses the familiar floating ledges, moving platforms and sheer drops (to avoid). There are 5 different areas, each with 9 levels and a boss to defeat. You need to complete the current level before the next one unlocks. There are plenty of enemies to get around or jump over or even briefly stun by bouncing on their heads. The stun doesn’t last for long, and although that’s annoying, you might need the enemys’ help with some of the puzzles.

Dog Man standing between Li'l Petey and 80-HD. Li'l Petey is saying "Now let's keep moving! Supa Buddies are go !" Published on: LadiesGamers — Supa Buddies re-united!

You will find Dog Man’s friends within the first few levels. You then have the choice of which Supa Buddy to play as, but they each have their strengths and weaknesses. For example, 80-HD will fall through cracked bricks because he is too heavy, whereas Li’l Petey will scamper across and not cause any further damage. So, although you may have a favourite, you will have to swap between them all in order to complete the levels.

Dog Man digging in the soil, below a city landscape. There are various blue sprockets located within the soil. There is a message saying “collect sprockets to build a Supa Gadget!” Published on: LadiesGamers — Supa Gadget!

However, our heroes wouldn’t be Supa Buddies without Supa Gadgets. On various levels, you collect sprockets to unlock a gadget to help the team overcome an obstacle. This could be retractable claws for Li’l Petey to climb walls or a grapple hook for Dog Man to swing across chasms.

Electricity being sent down the mechanical arms of Philly, a cheese steak character. Published on: LadiesGamers — Zap you, Supa Mecha Philly!

At the end of each area, you encounter a boss battle. Throughout Dog Man: Mission Impawsible, you are given hints on how to complete tasks, and fighting the bosses is no different. It’s enough of a challenge to feel satisfied without feeling frustrated.

Dog Man: Mission Impawsible – The Collectables

80-HD standing on a platform, in front of two metal, enemy fish. Below him is a shield located on a small ledge. There are various conveyor belts moving about the area. Published on: LadiesGamers — How do I get that shield?

In each level, there are four shields to collect. The first two shields are found somewhere within the level, usually hiding in an awkward to-get-to the corner! The third shield is awarded for collecting bones, which are scattered, singularly or in boxes, across the platforms. The fourth shield is awarded for completing the level.

The Supa Buddies have three hearts and a ‘Supa!’ mode. Hearts can be found within the levels and Petey will restore your characters to full ‘Supa!’ mode health. Any heart collected whilst in ‘Supa!’ mode will award bones.

Various art gallery style cartoon drawing of Dog Man and his friends. Flippy, a cyborg angelfish, says “The Comic Club has gone missing! Help me find them and I will reward you with cool art!” Published on: LadiesGamers — Cool art, indeed!

Along with the shields, you can also find Molly, a green tadpole, hiding within the levels. Collecting her will reward you with some fantastic Dog Man artworks.

Gameplay

The controls are straightforward, and Dog Man: Mission Impawsible plays well in both docked and handheld modes, although there is no touchscreen functionality. There was just one instance when 80-HD fell down an invisible gap, and I had to restart the level, but apart from that, the game ran smoothly with no frame rate or other issues.

Dog Man: Mission Impawsible autosaves at the end of a level, and there is only one instance per user.

Depending on your platforming skills and desire to get all the collectables, Dog Man: Mission Impawsible will take anywhere from 3 to 15 hours. The game is structured so that you will have to return to earlier levels once you gain new skills to get all the collectables.

Conclusion

Those acquainted with the books will enjoy the familiar characters and references in Dog Man: Mission Impawsible. However, you don’t need any prior knowledge of the Supa Buddies to enjoy this bright, humorous and colourful platformer.

Final Verdict: I Like it a Lot