Petscop, the supposed Playstation 1 game developed by Garalina that only exists in the form of a youtube Let's Play, is not a video game. However, Petscop, the 24 episode Youtube Series that weaves together an expansive horror mystery narrative through gameplay and commentary, is a video game. To watch the videos, to interpret why Paul is doing the things he is doing, both in and out of the game, to try and work out the mysterious nature of Petscop as a piece of software, peeling back the layers of symbolism, working out solutions to puzzles alongside Paul, That Is Playing Petscop.

The fact that this is even remembered positively, let alone considered a "timeless masterpiece", endlessly eludes me to this day. Even as a child, I could tell just how shit Petscop was. I wish I could type paragraphs upon paragraphs about how terrible it is, but there is genuinely so little depth that I can barely type a few sentences.

To give you the full picture; in Petscop, there is only one level. And said level has maybe 4 or 5 one minute dead-brained puzzles. That's it. No other levels. No extras menu. No easter eggs. That is ALL of content in this game. Anything else is either unfinished menu options or scrapped pets (which are all left in the game and do nothing).

The only reason I can conjure up that this unfinished, buggy mess of a game is so beloved is either 1. it's one big ironic joke that I'm out of the loop of, 2. I somehow received an unfinished build of the game, but judging by a YouTube video I skimmed through, I don't think that's the case, or 3. some people for some reason REALLY love the visuals, music, and general aesthetic of the game. The ladder is the only case in which I can understand liking this game, but even then, why not give your attention to other actually good, well crafted games instead of this shovelware scam game?

I do not recommend this game under any circumstance. Life is short, go obsess over something else.

the best game i've never played.

petscop is a series that perfectly encapsulates how it feels like to grow up with childhood trauma, memory loss, and a history of abuse. in a story that doesn't shy away from really dark themes (such as death, kidnapping, and possibly csa)—what made me obsess over Petscop from the get-go are the characters, the way they react and live with their respective traumas, and the found family topics that so heavily influence the series. (also: as a system, paul and carrie's story felt so relatable and oh so familiar to me, augh.)

in a way, to me, the appeal of Petscop was how perfectly it played the "guy who found the haunted video game" creepypasta—but with a twist! everything posted at first felt so genuine and realistic. that, combined with the bone-chilling uncanniness of the gameplay, made it a surreal experience. being alone in this cosmic horror altered state made my chest feel heavy.

this little game, with its gorgeous characters, will forever have a special place in my heart.