Despite being a very old IP, Wizard of Oz fans have had a whole lot to look forward to in recent years. The Wicked duology proved hugely popular, bringing the musical to a far larger audience and being a downright massive merch seller. On the gaming front, the spiritual successor to Lies of P is poised to put a dark spin on the characters and locations of Oz, though it seems like this isn’t the only game fans of the franchise should have on their radar. This is because an upcoming Steam game will be focusing not just on The Wizard of Oz’s fantastical world, but the adorable pup Toto.
Obviously, Dorothy’s canine companion isn’t a major character in the series; he’s essentially just an accessory for the young girl, with his only contribution to Wicked being the fan debate over whether he should or should not be on a leash. Still, Toto is cute in any and all iterations, and playing as any animal within a video game is sure to make for a fun time. While it remains to be seen just how deep the dog behaviors and animations will go in this Steam game — Stray wowed players for many reasons, but its accuracy to the animal it focused on was near the top of the list — the idea certainly seems like good fun. And with an entire fantasy land to explore, there should be plenty to do.
Toto’s Journey Features at a Glance
- CONTROL an adorable dog met with a whole new world to explore.
- MEET unusual creatures and NPCs that simply ooze Oz energy.
- SOLVE environmental puzzles to reach new areas and continue Toto’s journey to reunite with Dorothy.
- UPGRADE Toto with magical abilities that unlock new opportunities within the world.
Play as Toto, a brave dog lost in a magical world after a mysterious cyclone. Explore enchanted lands, meet unusual creatures, and solve environmental puzzles as you search for a way back home.
Scratch & Peek
Identify the cover art while scratching off as little foil as
possible.
Toto’s Journey Swaps Out Stray’s Tone for Lighthearted Fun
While Toto’s Journey seems to nail the idea of playing as an animal — animations include Toto rolling on the floor, chasing his tail, and so on — the game also seems to be much more lighthearted than Stray. Toto is simply trying to reunite with Dorothy after the cyclone that brought them to Oz dropped them in separate locations, and the world he’s met with is colorful as opposed to the depressing shanty town the cat from Stray occupied. Sure, he’ll face some dangerous obstacles like thorns, but the dog will also acquire abilities like a flower crown that allow him to remove the pointed plants.
Environmental puzzles and fun traversal are the bread and butter of Toto’s Journey, with the opening moments of the trailer showing the dog sliding down some mud and into a new area as his tongue flaps in the wind. Players will seemingly acquire a number of abilities as they continue further and further into Oz, with an ability to raise rock platforms depicted on the Steam page for the game. Mechanical ruins and dense forests are name-dropped as specific settings, with each change in locale said to bring new challenges for Toto and fresh ways to approach the environment.
Expect Some Familiar Faces in Toto’s Journey
When not squeezing through rocky pathways, solving light-based puzzles, or goofing off in the cutest way imaginable, Toto will be interacting with the iconic characters associated with The Wizard of Oz. Alongside Dorothy, the Cowardly Lion and Tin Woodsman have both been specifically mentioned as NPCs. Naturally, it can be assumed that the Scarecrow is also a character players will interact with at some point. With basic NPC workers also featured in one clip, the sky is the limit for developer Hanuman Games, as it seems like there’s room to include just about anyone in this cozy game — including original characters.
With environmental storytelling promised as well, perhaps lore about the Wicked Witch and the dark underbelly of Oz could be included. Easter eggs referencing modern interpretations like Wicked would surely be appreciated by fans, too, but there’s no telling what exactly Toto’s Journey will cover. Whatever the case, it looks like a fun little Steam game that is going to appeal to animal lovers and Wizard of Oz fans alike, and it’s truly exciting that a few very different interpretations of the IP are in the works at the same time. This way, hardcore gamers who love soulslikes and casual gamers who prefer something more relaxed will both be getting new Oz content that appeals to them, ensuring everyone wins.