Fetch - A Boy and His Dog
Utterly charming adventure story with a dark premise.
Parents say
Based on 1 review
Common Sense is a nonprofit organization. Your purchase helps us remain independent and ad-free.
Fetch - A Boy and His Dog
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this app.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Fetch - A Boy and His Dog is an action/adventure game that lets players explore an interactive world on a quest to retrieve their kidnapped dog. Along the way, they'll play a series of arcade-like games that help them progress in the world. There is violence in these games, where players shoot robots and monsters, but it's minimal. Because the game deals with the loss of a beloved pet, though, it might be inappropriate for younger players. A free version of the app lets players play a short portion of the game before stopping and asking them to pay for the full app. Under the developer's privacy policy, kids under 13 need a parent's involvement to use the app. Players can share high scores via the Game Center social network, but participation is optional.
Community Reviews
Tried to Fetch the app, no luck
Report this review
What’s It About?
Players attempt to rescue their kidnapped dog through a series of puzzles and arcade games. The method of achieving both varies depending on the puzzle or game (some arcade games are Space Invaders-like shooters, whereas others have you in a spaceship dodging obstacles). Puzzles can largely be solved by exploring the environment, which is done through touching anything of interest on-screen. Once puzzles and games are solved, animated cut scenes move the plot along.
Is It Any Good?
Although the subject matter of FETCH - BOY AND HIS DOG might seem a bit dark (a boy whose dog is kidnapped by a seemingly evil CEO), the game itself is one of the more charming titles to come out in recent memory. Players are in the role of rescuer and get the chance to explore a wildly interactive world, where virtually everything they encounter can be manipulated.
The story itself is full of hope and joy, even as the hero jumps across a bridge of skulls and battles evil robots. The arcade games aren't especially challenging, but they're still fun and offer a degree of replayability. They also elevate the game from being a simple "touch all over the screen until you move on to the next" app. What's especially surprising is the emotional reactions the app generates for older players. It's a winner on all counts.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about pets and their roles in families.
Families also can talk about storytelling and the emotions it can invoke. Does this story have an emotional impact on players?
App Details
- Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad
- Pricing structure: Free to try, Paid, Free (In the free-to-try version of the app, you'll need to pay $.99 via in-app purchase to unlock the full game.)
- Release date: August 8, 2013
- Category: Adventure Games
- Publisher: Big Fish Games, Inc.
- Version: 1.3.1
- Minimum software requirements: iOS 5.0 or later
- Last updated: June 21, 2019
Our Editors Recommend
-
Monument Valley
Beautiful, brain-twisting puzzle game.
-
Badland
Gorgeous adventure app with simple interface; some violence.
-
Tentacles: Enter the Dolphin
Surprisingly fun game despite strange, gross premise.
For kids who love arcade and adventure games
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate