Best Friend Forever combines dog ownership with dating, and while it manages to mechanically implement one element far more successfully than the other, it’s so full of heart that many of the flaws can be forgiven.

Like the internet, video games can be a source of escape from the realities of daily life. Best Friend Forever takes place in a world without social distancing, one where best friends of both varieties (human and canine) are ready to be made. Its sweet and inclusive cast, and simple yet rewarding pet interactions help the game dig out a niche for itself in the dating-sim market. Still, its "pawesome" in its own right.

As far as a dating sim goes, it’s not the worst I’ve seen, and I would go so far as to say the stories of some characters drew me in at times and made me laugh at others, even if some of it was still an eye-rolling level of writing. On the other end, the dog care angle is also enjoyable and raising your furry friend’s stats to make them the best puppo they can be wasn’t a bad time.

The ease of the interactions made me miss the real-world dog park even more, where there’s always someone new to meet or a cute pup to pet. It’s definitely not a replacement for it, but in a pinch, it’ll do.