Snap pictures of ππ ππππ-πΈπππ creatures & explore an abandoned wildlife park.
The game invites players to explore an abandoned wildlife preserve, snapping pictures of the strange, enchanting creatures that inhabit it. The objective is to fill out a photo album by capturing the various "Penkos" - the game's unique creature designs - in a variety of poses and moods.
Players ride a cart that automatically travels on predetermined paths through the game's lush, atmospheric environments. While they cannot freely control the cart's movement, they can use the in-game camera to frame and capture their shots of the creatures that appear. This on-rails structure keeps the focus on finding and photographing the Penkos.
Each Penko type has multiple poses, such as sleeping, attacking, or performing a dance. Players must learn the behaviors and patterns of the Penkos in order to anticipate and photograph them in these different poses. Filling out the complete set of poses for each creature is a key part of progression and completing the photo album.
As players progress, they unlock new abilities that allow them to interact with the environment in order to elicit reactions and new poses from the Penkos. These include throwing "Penko Balls" to startle creatures, using a grappling hand to manipulate objects, and activating a "Ghost-o-Vision" mode to reveal hidden paths and creatures. Mastering these tools and figuring out the right combinations to unlock new photo opportunities is a satisfying part of the gameplay.
The game's nonlinear structure allows players to revisit earlier levels and discover new branching paths, hidden areas, and Penko poses. As players collect more stars from their photograph scores, they can unlock new abilities and access additional regions of the park. This encourages repeated playthroughs and a sense of systemic exploration, as players uncover the park's many secrets.
Despite the on-rails format, the game maintains a relaxed, leisurely pace. Players are not rushed through the levels, allowing them to carefully scan the environment and plan their shots. The ability to pause the cart's movement and the unlockable speed boost further contribute to a chill, meditative gameplay experience, making it well-suited as a "palate cleanser" between more intense gaming experiences.