It’s a fundamental principle of the universe that two things can enhance every video game to a great extent: dogs and grappling hooks. “Grapple Dogs: Cosmic Canines” (released on Switch, Steam, and Xbox Series X last week) possesses both of these elements.

Developed by Medallion Games, “GD:CC” is a mouthwatering 2D platformer that offers two distinct gameplay styles, depending on the lead pup you choose: Pablo or Luna. Pablo is akin to Mario or Sonic, as he can stomp on enemies with a light jump and smash through platforms with a charged ground pound. Luna, on the other hand, has a gun and a super dash. She is (and I say this with admiration) the Shadow the Hedgehog of the duo.

Both dogs, as promised, have grappling hooks, which enable them to zip through environments, reach hidden spaces, and swing around for the sheer joy of it. Of course, I wouldn’t recommend a game solely based on dogs and grappling hooks. The real allure lies in the superb pacing – the Nintendo-esque way the creators build upon their ideas from one level to the next. Just take a look at this trailer.

The fact that “Cosmic Canines” itself builds upon the original “Grapple Dog” that was released in 2022 indicates that its creators are engaged in what is commonly regarded as Smart Business in the games industry. They are learning from previous projects, establishing a recognizable brand, incorporating crowd-pleasing mechanics and characters, and (most importantly) crafting a truly outstanding game loop. So, then, why does “Grapple Dogs: Cosmic Canines” have less than 100 reviews on Steam, which is often a sign of a game not finding an audience?

The obvious answer is “game glut.” I’ll spare you another in-depth discussion on the game industry’s excessive supply issues, although I will note that “Cosmic Canines” is yet another point in this ongoing argument: its developers released the game last week on the Nintendo Switch along with more than 70 other games. With such a large number of new releases, along with backlogs and live service games, it’s a miracle that any new game manages to find an audience.

We can’t address this issue today. But we can enjoy great games when they emerge from the sea of competition. And “Grapple Dogs: Cosmic Canines” is indeed a great game.