Good Dog is a free and funny simulation video game wherein you get to be the best dog around. Developed by Marafrass and rnoelliams, this 3D indie game is a wholesome animal simulator that lets you take on the role of a therapy dog at a hospital.

Good Dog uniquely allows you to control a dog in the first-person perspective. The gameplay is pretty forgiving and you can take as many tries as you’d like. This game is free but if you purchase it, proceeds will be donated to the Direct Relief and Rebuilding Alliance charities.

The hospital is your second home

The story of Good Dog revolves around a rambunctious therapy dog at a hospital. As the dog, you aren’t bound by any general behaviors required of therapy dogs. You simply have to cheer patients up by interacting with them. Aside from this, you can interact with nearly everyone inside the small hospital and go around collecting secret items. You don’t get an indicator that you’ve met your goal, though. 

The game is quite lenient on you, allowing mistakes with the interactions you choose for certain patients. Not all people will like you wagging your tail at them, licking them, or cuddling against them. It’s only successful if you hear them coo at you and see hearts surround them. Once you’re done exploring, just end the game by going back to the starting area and jumping on your chair.

The controls here are pretty easy, as you’re prompted to open the “Esc” menu, which contains the tutorial. However, the settings are pretty barebones here. The unusually-fast movement speed of simply walking can easily induce nausea to most players and you can’t adjust it at all. It doesn’t help that your view is lower than usual due to your in-game model. 

Needs some important settings

All in all, Good Dog is a great little indie game if you’d just like to be a dog helping out NPCs for the day. Not only is its gameplay lenient and the pressure of winning almost non-existent, but you can also help out various charities by buying the game and donating. However, it badly requires more adjustable settings for the controls for a more comfortable gaming experience.