If people often say you’re like a dog with a bone when it comes to solving problems, In the Dog House is a game you’ll gnaw on for hours.
In this sliding-block puzzler, guide your snoozing pupper from his comfy bed to his food bowl. (Sure, most real-life Fidos don’t need much coaxing when it comes to dinnertime, but let’s suspend disbelief for a moment.)
To create a clear a path for your pooch (and lure him along by plopping his toy at the spot you want him to scamper to), you slide blocks around a sprawling house-shaped board—in the process building hallways, staircases, doorways, and more—until your peckish pup makes it to the kitchen and chows down.
In the Dog House turns a familiar puzzle formula on its (floppy) ear. Some blocks can only be moved either vertically or horizontally, while others can just be rotated or can’t be budged at all. Elevators won’t work without a shaft, security doors need a power connection to unlock, and occasionally a nasty cat will try to block your heroic hound.
Successfully solving levels unlocks new toys, and new dogs. (If you like, you can have a Chihuahua who trots after her rubber ducky.) The critters’ sweet little snores as they wait for you to make a move are heart-meltingly cute. That’s probably a good thing, because once you get deep into the game’s 50-plus levels, the challenges can get a little, well, ruff.