Bluey and her family are back for another adventure, but this time they’re picking up a camera in Bluey’s Happy Snaps. Explore iconic locations from the beloved animated series, take pictures of everything you discover, and create your very own sticker-filled photo album.
During Gamescom, we were invited to check out Bluey’s Happy Snaps, and of course, we couldn’t say no. Not only is Bluey a fun franchise, but games like these are also a great way for me to slow down, relax, and take my mind off things for a little while. And after spending around 30 minutes with the game, I can safely say that Bluey’s Happy Snaps delivers exactly that kind of experience.
A Bluey Game the Whole Family Can Enjoy
Bluey is primarily aimed at younger audiences, and just like the previous Bluey games, Bluey’s Happy Snaps is designed to be approachable for children. However, one feature that really stood out to me was the game’s two-player mode. While the first player explores the world and takes pictures, a second player can join in, walk around, and interact with certain objects.
This is especially great for families with younger children who might not be ready to play an entire game on their own but still want to participate. Instead of having to sit back and watch, they can explore alongside a parent or older sibling and feel like they’re part of the adventure. And honestly, that’s exactly the kind of feature I’d love to see in more family-friendly games.
Exploring The Creek and Taking Pictures
During our Bluey’s Happy Snaps hands-on preview at Gamescom, we got to explore The Creek, a familiar location from the animated series. It’s a small forest area with water running through it, and it perfectly captures the relaxing atmosphere you’d expect from a Bluey game.
As the name suggests, photography is the main gameplay mechanic. You explore the environment, taking pictures of animals, characters, objects, and anything else that might belong in your photo album. But it’s not always as simple as pointing your camera at something and pressing a button. Sometimes, you’ll need to interact with the environment before you can take the right picture.
For example, one objective had me building a mud pile using buckets before I could photograph it. Other pictures required interacting with characters to get them to strike a particular pose. There are plenty of different ways to discover photo opportunities, and some are hidden in specific locations that you’ll need to find yourself. It’s a simple gameplay loop, but one that makes exploring each area surprisingly enjoyable.
Create and Customize Your Own Photo Album
While Bluey’s Happy Snaps gives you a few required pictures to take before unlocking the next area, the game also gives you plenty of freedom to explore. And that’s where things get interesting. The more optional pictures you take, the more customization options you unlock for your photo album.
You can personalize your album in several ways, including:
- Picture Frames: Choose different frames to decorate your favorite photos.
- Drawings: Add your own drawings to make the pages more personal.
- Decorative Tape: Change the tape used to decorate your pictures.
- Album Customization: Experiment with different decorations to create your own unique photo album.
I was actually surprised by how detailed the customization options were. It’s not just about taking pictures and checking them off a list. You’re encouraged to turn those pictures into something personal, which fits the creative nature of Bluey perfectly.
Bluey Fans Have an Advantage When Exploring
One thing I didn’t expect from Bluey’s Happy Snaps was how much the game encourages you to explore. At first, I assumed finding every picture would be incredibly easy, especially considering the game’s younger target audience. But I was pleasantly surprised. Some photo opportunities are hidden away, encouraging players to explore every nook and cranny of the environment.
And here’s something I particularly loved: watching the Bluey TV series can actually help you discover certain secrets. During my time exploring The Creek, I came across a rock with something hidden behind it. You couldn’t immediately see what you needed to photograph, but the location was a reference to an episode of the show. If you remembered that episode, you might have had a better idea of what to look for. I think that’s a fantastic little detail.
It rewards fans who pay attention to the series, while also creating opportunities for children to help their parents discover things when playing together. Imagine playing with your child and having them recognize something from an episode that you completely missed. That’s the kind of interaction that makes a family game feel special.
A Relaxing Game That Isn’t Just for Kids
Now, obviously, I’m not exactly the target audience for Bluey’s Happy Snaps anymore. But that doesn’t mean I can’t enjoy it. In fact, I had a genuinely good time during the roughly 30 minutes I spent playing. Personally, I love having games like this available for those moments when I just want to relax.
Not every game needs to be challenging, competitive, or require your full attention. Sometimes, I just want to explore a colorful world, complete a few simple objectives, and enjoy myself without having to think too much. And Bluey’s Happy Snaps seems perfect for exactly that. It’s easy to pick up, relaxing to play, and still offers enough exploration to keep things interesting.
The Developers Want You to Play Outside Too
Another highlight of our Gamescom appointment was getting to talk with the developers behind Bluey’s Happy Snaps. The Australian team was clearly passionate about Bluey and the world they were bringing to life.
They even talked about visiting real-world locations that inspired some of the environments featured in the game, which was really cool to hear. But one thing they mentioned stood out to me more than anything else. Everything you do in Bluey’s Happy Snaps is something you can also do in real life. That was an important part of the team’s approach to designing the game.
They don’t just want children to spend time playing Bluey’s Happy Snaps. They also want to inspire them to go outside, explore, and try some of the activities themselves. For example, if you build a little boat in the game, why not try making one in real life? It’s such a simple idea, but I absolutely love it.
Instead of encouraging children to spend more and more time in front of a screen, the developers want the game to inspire creativity and real-world adventures. And considering what Bluey is all about, that philosophy feels like a perfect fit.
Our First Impressions of Bluey’s Happy Snaps
After spending around 30 minutes with Bluey’s Happy Snaps at Gamescom, I came away pleasantly surprised. The photography gameplay is simple but enjoyable, the environments encourage exploration, and the photo album offers more customization than I initially expected.
I especially appreciated the little references to the animated series, which reward fans for knowing the show and could make playing together as a family even more fun. The two-player mode is another welcome addition, particularly for younger children who want to join in without having to handle all the main objectives themselves.
But what impressed me most was the passion behind the project. Knowing that the developers want children to take inspiration from the game and explore the real world makes the whole experience feel even more special.
Bluey’s Happy Snaps might be designed primarily for kids, but after my time with it, I think it’s shaping up to be a lovely little adventure for anyone who wants to slow down and relax.
And sometimes, that’s exactly the kind of game we need.
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