Today, I discovered that ‘Wanko’ translates to ‘dog‘ in Japanese, rather than being solely an Australian colloquialism akin to ‘smoko’ or the beloved ‘bottle-o’ for off-license. This revelation came about through Doronko Wanko, a delightful free game featuring a mischievous Pomeranian where players aim to achieve high scores by causing real financial havoc in their owner’s home.
Ever witnessed a dog’s post-bath ritual of vigorously shaking off water, resembling a chaotic natural disaster? Well, imagine that, but with mud. In Doronko Wanko, players can embrace this chaotic energy, along with riding a train equipped with a gatling gun backpack. It’s a bewildering concept, one that leaves me still processing its entirety. I might never fully comprehend it, but I can attest to my fondness for this mischievous pup and anticipate big things in its future. Here’s a glimpse from the trailer:
The Steam Page describes the game as an opportunity to embody an adorable Pomeranian, creating chaos and mess in the master’s home. “Will the master be angry with me?” the page muses, reassuringly adding, “Don’t worry. Because you are a sweet doggie.” Additionally, players can uncover hidden treasures known as “hidden pome” while spreading mud throughout the house. Discovering all the “hidden pome” unlocks the door to the coveted “Good Smell Room.” The game also features a variety of charming headwear options that players can unlock, enhancing the mischief-making experience.
If I were to categorize Doronko Wanko, it would fit snugly into a sub-genre of non-violent games where players delight in orchestrating playful psychological antics against unsuspecting humans. While other entries in this category may come to mind, Doronko Wanko undoubtedly stands out. Steam users seem thoroughly entertained by this furry mischief-maker.
For those who find Doronko Wanko a bit overwhelming, Bamco has also launched two other free Steam games. NOTTOLOT offers robot action-hacking gameplay, while Boomeroad invites players into an exhilarating action-adventure experience where they slide along boomerang rails they create. All three games are part of Bamco’s 2023 New Employee Training Project, designed to provide new recruits with hands-on experience and support before they move on to larger projects. Similar to our playful Pomeranian protagonist, I foresee a bright future for these recruits if Doronko Wanko is any indication.
