Petz: Dogz 2 and Catz 2/Getting Started

Press at the start screen, and then select whether you'd like to continue a previously saved game or start a new one (if you're playing for the first time, only Start will be available). If you select Start New Game, you will need to choose a character.

Choose your character
To start with, choose your breed. In Dogz there are also colourings for different breeds, but only the default colour is available in Catz. Next you need to choose a name. Select the name by typing it with the keys, and press on Select. Then you go to the main menu and select Start Adventure to begin your journey.

Main menu
From here, you have five options:
 * 1) Start / continue adventure (indicated by a cat or dog running along)
 * 2) Minigames
 * 3) Transfer data to (this is only available on the Wii versions)
 * 4) Swap accessories
 * 5) Options

When a cat or dog needs your help
When one of your friends needs a hand (or paw), they have a question mark over their heads. They are also indicated on the map as a purple glowing spot. Talk to them, as they will most likely want you to find an item for them, and in return you will get some G, which can be used to purchase all sorts of items from the shops in South Pawville.

When you have found the item your friend wants, on most occasions you will be transported back to him or her instead of having to get back there yourself. This is handy if you are far away, but not so if you were looking for something in the level and picked the item up accidentally.

Whiskers Radar / Sniffing
While looking for requested items, or even just for food and flowers, press to use the Whiskers Radar (Catz) or your Sniffing (Dogz) to find the item. At the same time, you need to to move around if you don't want to be standing still. There are two indicators at the bottom "' indicator for finding fruit, vegetables and flowers. When you are on the track of an item, a picture of the item will appear in the indicator and an arrow will appear around the edge of it, pointing you in the right direction. If there is no item in the place you are looking, there will be no picture or arrow. As you get closer to the item, the indicator will get bigger. When you are right on top of what you are looking for you will hear a sound and the indicator will shine.

Learning new actions
Throughout the game, there are many actions which can be unlocked by helping out others. They help you to get to new areas and get tasks done easier.

Prairy Dogs
While hunting around, you may come across the scent of a Prairy Dog. First you need to sniff out where they are to begin with. Once you have done this, you will see a shaded area moving around. This indecates where the Prairy Dog is. Go up to it and use the same action as digging. This can be difficult as it will be moving around all the time, and if you loose track of it then use your nose or whiskers. Then an icon will appear pointing to where it is. When you dig at the Prairy Dog, you will get a Healing Item, and the closer you dig the better the item will be.

Status
Your status can be viewed from the pause menu. Here you can see what your "status" is (Poison, Overheating, Frostbitten, Normal) and how much health you have. You can also see learnt moves and, since it shows an image of your character, what accessories they are wearing. It also shows their name, gender and breed. As with all other menus, it shows how much G you have as well.

Poison
There are two ways you can get poisoned; to step or fall into the poisonous bog, or to be attacked by one of two snakes (generally any spotted snakes). Likewise, there are also two ways to get cure the poison. The first way is to use some Antidote. You can but this from the drug store for 20G, and it can also be found in most areas where you are likely to get poisoned. The second way is to leave the area. However, since you may be right in the centre of the level when you get poisoned, and whilst you are poisoned your health continously decreases, it is best to have some Antidote on hand at all times.

Frostbite/Overheating
If you don't have a drink for a while in the Inferno Cave, you will overheat. If you don't have a dip in one of the Hot Springs in the Polar Fields you will end up getting frostbitten. Either causes you to gradually loose health, but beware that it is much faster than if you get poisoned. If you take off your Flame Retardent Suit or Warm Clothing while in the level you need them, you will immediately loose all your health.

In Inferno cave, you can avoid getting overheated by having a drink every now and then. In the Polar Fields, you can have a dip in the Hot Spring if you start to get chilly. Here you can stay in the Hot Spring until you are almost overheating; however, no matter how long you stay in there, you will not overheat.

Warp Stones
Warp stones can be found in all villages in the game (besides North Pawville, since there is one in South Pawville). If you go up to one and press, you can save the game. After Arvin has given you the Warp Ring, you can also warp t other places with Warp Stones in them that you have already visited. Surprisingly, you can even warp to the area you are currently in (although this doesn't do anything).