

Unfortunately, though, the gains made above don't seem to carry on throughout the entire product in Horsez 2, as aspects of the horse-riding gameplay are still presented in a questionable way. With the most major issues of presentation well addressed, it's easier to get into the adventure this time and start experiencing the core gameplay that's available. And while there's still tension introduced, through a land-hungry woman named Charlotte seeking to buy you out of your ranch, overall Horsez 2 sets up a cast that's just nicer to be around.įor+whatever+reason,+maintaining+your+horse's+trotting+speed+is+interpreted+as+a+shape+and+color+matching+game.

Grandpa is joined by other characters like Luc, the family friend, and Kevin, the local competition trainer, as the people Ginger gets to encounter and interact with. Ginger's grandfather is a kind, inviting character – a far cry from the overly aggressive and antagonistic headmaster from the first Horsez – and it's just much more pleasant to play in a more peaceful environment, surrounded by more peaceful people. It's a welcome change of scenery, and much more accessible for new players. She's graduated and moved on, and has now purchased for herself a small ranch in the south of France, right next door to her grandfather. Most notably, now, is that though the main character is still Ginger she's no longer enrolled in a boarding school. Petz: Horsez 2 retains several of the positive elements of its predecessor, while simultaneously ditching several more that brought it down. But its presentation came across way too forcefully – playing it, even if you did well in the game's activities, you were consistently berated and insulted by the in-game non-player characters, and that negativity drained almost all of the fun out of the package.īut this year, improvements have been made. Its aim was to put players in the role of a girl named Ginger attending a prestigious equestrian boarding school, giving gamers a glance into the world of strict, demanding horse-riding competition. Ubisoft's first horse sim for the DS, Horsez, was released in time for the holidays last year and proved to be a less than stellar stuffer for anybody's stocking.
