For years, Day of the Devs has been one of the biggest showcases for upcoming indie games. While many titles are lined up for future release, one of this year’s highlights arrived just in time for the event. Dogpile, from Studio Folly and Toot Games, blends a Tetris-style puzzle game with an adorable canine twist—lots of dogs, actually.
### Dog Rescue Meets Puzzle Challenge
Dogpile presents players with a Tetris-like puzzle grid where the objective is simple: drag and drop various dogs into the field and combine two of the same breed to create a bigger dog. A mouse works best for this, as the controller support doesn’t quite feel fully polished yet.
As dogs merge and grow larger, the ultimate goal is to craft the biggest doggo possible. Each dog corresponds to a standard playing card, making the system easier to understand and follow. As you advance up the doggie hierarchy, more valuable (and larger) dogs grant greater bone rewards but also take up more space on the grid, adding layers of strategic planning.
### Roguelite Elements Add Depth
Dogpile spices things up by introducing roguelite mechanics. As you collect bones and meet certain milestones, you earn in-game cash to spend on Pet Shop cards. These cards unlock additional dog breeds—including higher-tier pups—and upgrades shaped like dog tags.
Dog tags come with useful perks, such as an affection bonus that causes dogs of the same breed to move closer together, or a show dog bonus that rewards extra money. However, hitting bone goals isn’t just about positives. Missing those targets brings some negative consequences to the board. For example, rocks may be shuffled into your dog deck—rocks that can’t be merged away—while other challenges include fleas that nullify bonuses and crates that block merging for several turns.
Managing these rewards and drawbacks becomes a key part of the game’s larger metagame. As bone goal thresholds steadily rise, players are incentivized to match and create bigger dogs to keep pace.
### Relaxed Mode for Casual Play
For those who prefer a more laid-back experience, Dogpile offers a relaxed mode. This version removes bone goals, Pet Shop upgrades, and the card-shuffling elements, simply delivering more Ace-level chihuahuas to merge at your own pace. It’s the perfect way for dog lovers to enjoy the charm of building massive pups—without any pressure.
### Scratching That Itch (With a Few Fleas)
Dogpile is a game that really digs its claws into players with its engaging gameplay formula. However, it’s not without some issues. During gameplay, I encountered a few crashes that forced me to exit abruptly, and there were moments when the game’s music abruptly cut out, leaving me matching dogs in silence. While these bugs hamper the polish, the core experience remains rewarding.
When Dogpile works, it ranks as a strong puzzle game in its own right. Studio Folly and Toot Games have dealt players a winning hand with this title. Tetris dreams are one thing, but seeing falling dogs in your sleep? That’s a very good problem to have—especially since they’re all such good boys.
https://www.shacknews.com/article/147093/dogpile-review-score