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*Scared but amused scream*
My Friend Peppa Pig is arguably one of the better visual novels I have played, having a considerably high production value in the fact more people worked on the game than the actual show itself. Despite its short length, the game actually is a captivating series of routes and missions, even though sometimes gameplay elements get recycled fairly often. As far as visual fidelity goes, the graphics are competently able to resemble the show but certainly have less polish. True Peppa lore fans will appreciate the numerous nods to the expansive world of Peppa Pig, even though not all of the cameos are fully voiced.
George fans will be a little disappointed, but ultimately George is a major secondary protagonist in several quests. The game is initially linear, but only in its first major route. The game clearly takes some considerable inspirations from some of its contemporaries in media. Most notably, the game's format itself greatly borrows from the ground work of the South Park games (character customization, a generally linear story but with strong open world elements that reward exploration as well numerous gags and items to examine for show-related fan service) and the narrative structure of One Piece.
You, Peppa's new friend (who she is very excited to have over, to the point that all her otherwise life long friendships have taken a backseat) arrive at her house and are immediately thrust into a compelling main mission. Much like One Piece, Danny Dog's pirate themed birthday is about finding treasure and exploring numerous islands in the process. Each island is a new thematic aspect of pirate life and reflects numerous sociopolitical issues present in the dystopian nation of England. (the darkest skinned animals literally live in a hole in abstract poverty and are seemingly working in an illegal diamond mining operation)
A surprising amount of variety takes place between each island. A simple search and recover mission is soon followed up with a Metal Gear Solid styled stealth mission with high risks but great reward. The final leg of this journey is an expansive exploration of a mine for hidden treasure (fans of Dark Souls will recognize the clear Miyazaki influence on the game's level design, often reusing dialogue, assets and map locations to disorientate players as they explore, while also building an emotive setting that becomes gradually more familiar, all of which highlights a very immersive experience of being British) among other adventures.
Most interestingly, in a clear nod to Nier Automata, the real game starts after the first credit sequence. From there, players are allowed to roam and explore the world of Peppa's town and its many hilltops and wooded areas. Those who grew up in the Soviet Union will appreciate the frequent school-led hiking missions and the intellectual value of community service, vocational skill training and outright Cold-Weather Survival Training (the snowman building mission). As a piece of socialist propaganda, Peppa Pig does not shy away from class and racial issues as well.
Mrs Gazelle is obviously a victim of French colonialism in her native Africa, but she maintains a strong spirit and motivation to teach Peppa and her friends basic math, dignity and their International Commitment and Duty to Communist causes around the world.
However, Peppa Pig herself is subject to numerous consumerist ploys, at first glance. Her love of television however, is overstated, given that she much prefers physical activities and cleaning up rubbish from the local forest. George remarkably shows an Atheist spirit, with his resounding love for prehistoric history. The ultimate reward for the game is going to Potato City, where the value of nutritional health and appropriate diet is the strongest emphasis.
A more interesting part is when Peppa and you, her new friend, visit the Museum and its suspiciously lacking stolen artifacts from other cultures. Thus proving that this is immediate post-revolution Britain.
Further more, Mr Rabbit takes numerous playclub students on a fake ride to a fake moon. This is in direct reference to the actual moon landing being fake, an act of counter-revolutionary propaganda proposed by the western world to discredit the USSR.
The only negatives I have about the game is perhaps its tendency to rely on some very odd conditions to enact certain quest triggers, the directions ironically not being as clear as they should be and the fact that some achievements are easily missed. Some children may be scared by the loud sounds during the Treasure Island mission's metal detector sounds, as well as put off by the oppressive survival horror exploration section in the tunnels that compose the Mole family's house. Despite this, the game is utterly appropriate for the United Kingdom youth, who are starting their respective youth-paramilitary training at an acceptable age.
There is no future for the UK, without Peppa Pig