Grapple Dog

 Switch
Grapple Dog Image
Metascore
76

Generally favorable reviews - based on 20 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.0

Mixed or average reviews- based on 6 Ratings

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  • Summary: Jump, Swing and Zip your way through colourful worlds and exciting challenges in this unique 2D action-platformer! Master the power of the Grapple on your adventure to save the world.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 20
  3. Negative: 0 out of 20
  1. Switch Player
    Feb 10, 2022
    90
    Grapple Dog is everything a good 2D platforming game should be: smooth gameplay, amazing artwork, and a soundtrack easy to groove to. With a cast of cute characters and a quaint story full of comedy, you won’t want to miss this one.
  2. Pure Nintendo
    Feb 15, 2022
    90
    Grapple Dog is an adorable, challenging platformer with a lot of content for the price. It’s a great filler if you’re waiting on some of the bigger 2022 titles to be released, or if you’re wanting a game to play with the kids. I highly recommend checking it out!
  3. Finger Guns
    Feb 10, 2022
    80
    Grapple Dog is an exhilarating, fast paced 2D platformer that feels like a familiar warm hug and a nod to platforming greats such as Sonic and Super Mario. While it doesn’t do anything especially new, the game never stops surprising with its mechanics and it’s a valiant addition to the genre.
  4. GameGrin
    Sep 12, 2022
    80
    Grapple Dog is a charming and inventive 2D platformer with a solid foundation that’s not afraid to ramp up the challenge when needed. It still needs some work in the performance and accessibility departments, but fans of the genre should still check it out.
  5. Cultured Vultures
    Feb 9, 2022
    75
    Grapple Dog’s not a perfect platformer by any stretch of the imagination, but the core gameplay concept and visual design still manages to raise huge grins.
  6. GameSpot
    Feb 15, 2022
    70
    Grapple Dog isn't doing anything new or revolutionary, but it is nicely delivering on a simple premise. It felt like uncovering a forgotten gem in a Game Boy Advance bargain bin, then taking it home and discovering some parts that are a little uneven or awkward. It's the kind of game that's just imminently likable and endearing, even if I don't expect it to hook me long-term.
  7. NME
    Feb 8, 2022
    60
    Grapple Dog is a solid 2D platformer built around its core grapple mechanic. Whilst it has a lot of charm charm and some fun level design, a handful of the mechanics fall flat instead of utilising the grapple to its full potential. When Grapple Dog brings everything together for frenetic platforming though it’s a lot of fun, and these moments alone mean fans of the genre should at least give it a try. I’m very curious to see what might come next, as there’s certainly a few good ideas on display here.

See all 20 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 3
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 3
  3. Negative: 1 out of 3
  1. FoxyChalet
    Feb 17, 2022
    9
    I bought this game at release because it looked like a good traditional platformer, which is sadly an under-represented genre these days.I bought this game at release because it looked like a good traditional platformer, which is sadly an under-represented genre these days. There are plenty of physics platformers Celeste, Meat Boy, N+ etc. And there are lots of sidescrolling games with platforms, but very few stick at all to classic platforming design. I decided to buy the game because of the clear care put into it, I could tell that the developer knew what they wanted to accomplish, knew the aesthetic they wanted, and, in general, had a certain level of understanding for what makes a game great.

    This game really delivers. I would say it's biggest shortcomings are as follows: The levels are too long; This actually is quite noticeable, I will often turn my switch off halfway through a level. The repetitive music; You will hear this a lot about this game, it reuses a lot of the same music, and it isn't even particularly interesting. It mixes high difficulty with low difficulty too often; some of what you do will be too easy or forgiving, other parts will take you some tries.

    I think it is also worth note that to progress through the game you collect gems, or you collect berry things which get you more gems. In reality this is no different than collecting all the coins in super mario world, except you need them to progress. Personally I always tried to collect all the coins in old mario games anyways, even though you didn't really get anything for them. Also, I find the collecting in this game much less tedious than in the new Donkey Kong Country games, where you will often have to replay the entire level just to get a puzzle piece because you missed a banana.

    What the game does well is mixing platformer tropes to create a new experience. It feels a lot like playing a cross between mario, sonic, and shovel knight most of the time, but with a grappling hook that gives off Ninja 5-0 vibes, and an aesthetic that's pure Drill Dozer. It's definitely a game built for speed running, but that's the most modern concession to me, and even so, DK Country and SMB 3 are built for it too, even if it wasn't intentional.

    This genuinely feels like a lost gba gem, and despite it's flaws, it's a slick stylish platformer, with great touches, and a lot of depth. It can be challenging, but frankly most of the challenges are optional. It can also be a bit easy, but you can challenge yourself to make it harder. I really love this game, and am excited to see what the dev does next.    … Expand
  2. ophone
    Dec 23, 2022
    9
    An excellent 2D platformer where you play as a dog with a grappling hook, obviously.
    The platforming sections and the boss battles are    An excellent 2D platformer where you play as a dog with a grappling hook, obviously.
    The platforming sections and the boss battles are varied, the music on the other hand could've used more variety.
    To me Grapple Dog is one of 2022's indie gems.    … Expand
  4. sloomo
    Dec 31, 2022
    3
    I bought this on sale for $7.49. I feel ripped off. The game bored me immediately. It’s simply not fun. I kept playing for thirty minutes andI bought this on sale for $7.49. I feel ripped off. The game bored me immediately. It’s simply not fun. I kept playing for thirty minutes and it just kept getting worse. I want a refund for this trashy game… Expand

Awards & Rankings

99
#99 Best Switch Game of 2022

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