Throughout the game, you will be tasked with finding all manner of items at the request of fellow dogs in order to progress further in the narrative. Yes, there is a story to these proceedings. As mentioned, the game begins in your dog’s home village. On the evening of a big festival, ominous shooting stars herald the arrival of bad tidings. Soon, your beloved sister falls ill.

Your dog is sent out on a great sea adventure to locate the mysterious Dog Island where a famed doctor (technically a veterinarian) holds the key to healing your sister. As you begin your quest to locate the ingredients that will create the salve required to save the day, you encounter a large assortment of canines that ask you to perform various tasks to assist them in their day or with their problems.

The tasks given to you by the other animals often involve some sort of menial work (fishing, sniffing out hidden items, insect gathering) that reward one with bones that serve as the game’s currency. These bones can then be used at the various shops to procure new abilities, increase your health bar or purchase clothing items to pimp up your pooch. A number of these tasks are optional – there for the taking for those who really get drawn into The Dog Island.

There’s a lot to do here and a surprisingly lengthy adventure so the big question is – is The Dog Island worth marking as your territory?