Pou

CNET Editors' review

by: CNET staff on January 07, 2013

What's brown, lumpish, and a bit messy? Not to mention cute, funny, and fun to play with? If you said Pou, you're right on all counts. Pou is an alien pet that you must feed and take care of. He's very hungry and is likely to get the shakes if you don't feed him regularly -- and he's not the neatest of diners, so you have to bathe and groom him, just like taking care of a real pet. That's Pou's not-so-dirty secret: as with other virtual pets, taking care of Pou teaches players how to care for pets, others, and themselves. It's fun, too, so just don't mention the learning part! Pou is for everyone, and it's totally free for Android devices.

Pou's interface is much like the typical Android game app, with simple Settings like the ability to turn sound effects and music on and off, a basic menu, and stats. As with other games, you can unlock new levels and options as you play. Pou himself is a brown, rounded triangle with large, froglike eyes that quivered in obvious hunger as the game opened. You're advised that Pou likes to eat and eat a lot, so the first order of business was to feed him. This involved dragging a sack of fries into his mouth. Feeding Pou the first time earned us more food to feed him, including healthier fare such as cherries. You go to the Shop to buy food to stock the Fridge to keep Pou healthy. You have to keep Pou clean, too, as we discovered after his meal of fries left Pou a bit greasy and disheveled. When Pou is dirty, you use soap from the Lab to clean him. In the Lab you'll also find Health Potions to cure Pou when he's sick, and other interesting concoctions, too, including experimental Potions. In no time we'd earned new wallpaper and unlocked the next level.

Over time, Pou grows, just like a real pet. You can change his look, customize his surroundings, and even dress him up. Pou is as real as you make him!