My Talking Hank Islands launched today across iOS and Android, taking the My Talking Tom series on something of a vacation from its roots.
Take one-part virtual pet sim and add a little tropical seasoning, to get a taste of what’s coming to Outfit7’s Talking Tom series. Starting today, fans of this firmly established franchise can join My Talking Hank, the best doggo to live on your mobile, takes a turn in the limelight as he escapes to an island getaway, and takes a break from the normal domestic routine. My Talking Hank Islands is a pet sim at its core. Channelling the same upbeat attitude as other Tom and gang games, this new adventure deposits Hank onto a tropical escape. Filled with friendly creatures and home comforts, it’s a chance to indulge in a familiar, yet distinct, entry in a long running franchise. While fans of this series might have grown up with Angela making her way to the big city or Tom trailing around the house, anybody following Hank to a sun kissed shore will find themselves waking in a treehouse hammock.
Plenty of familiar ideas are already in place for this new beginning, opening up a room that welcomes old friends. An easy-to-understand tap-and-swipe control system allows players to navigate along Hank’s treehouse, engaging in a range of daily chores. Despite the laid-back appearance of My Talking Hank Islands, players still need to wash, feed, groom, and dress Tom’s buddy. This is all extremely familiar and fits the existing virtual pet genre concept. Anybody logging in will be quietly reminded by notifications that you’ll need to take care of the daily doodies before heading out to have fun, and it’s a gameplay loop that does have its own charm.
While the underlying mechanics of Hank’s house tree aren’t likely to break the mold, this isn’t without its charm. As long-term fans will already know, Hank is a bit of a goofball across the animated series and in-game action that accompanies the franchise. Even if Angela’s wardrobe is full of iconic fashion ideas, youngsters will find Hank slipping into dinosaur onesies and trying on silly glasses just for laughs. While the core concepts of other Outfit7 games don’t need to be explained in their minutia, Hank’s new abode is home to a slightly more chaotic take on the usual virtual pet sim.
New Horizons
Where Hank’s free to play getaway really starts to come into its own is not the bright new background or the silly new soaps used to scrub your screen clean at bath time, but the outdoor progression. My Talking Hank Islands is true to its name, depositing our animated friend on a fun filled beach home. Heading out beyond the confines of this treehouse gives players an opportunity to explore the grassy inlands and golden shores of this island. Along the way, and as the game progresses, new friends visit the reef, additional regions unlock, and extra activities spawn. Hank still has to dutifully brush his teeth or grab a balanced meal at home but there are tons of frivolous things to do outside.
As you walk out onto the island exploring for rewards, keep an eye out for the myriads of pick up and play options. Try out new video games, meet exotic animals, collect insects or plant life, swim in the sea, ride scooters, race animal friends, or play water polo against a pink dolphin as you explore every crevice of this fun-filled paradise. The range of activities on hand feels unexpectedly broad. While I’m not going to be stumped by a balloon-matching Bejewelled clone, the sheer breadth of mini games and activities are a varied enough distraction to almost always feel fresh. There are plenty of casual engagement opportunities, all of which seem to keep on expanding as the game progression kicks in.
Like any Talking Tom title, there are some staples to this new entry. Playing games, interacting with objects, and performing daily chores level up Hank. Designated by a glowing red heart at the top of the screen, the ever-increasing level offers an opportunity to grab some loot and even make new friends, stuff a wardrobe of costumes, nab stickers for your album, and fill out other appealing niceties. The most significant level up bonuses are the inclusion of animal visitors and new areas for Hank to explore. What begins with a turtle, eventually adds dolphins, lions, a monkey, and more to the isolated archipelago. Each brings their own activity or interactive elements to the screen. More importantly, these new additions come with a slow drip of content that opens up extra activities, new ways to level up, and earn other in game currencies.
While Talking Hank Islands is a casual endeavor, there’s almost always something engaging to do for a few minutes. pacing for each of the mini games or sub tasks is well paced to provide a few minutes of play, perfect for the checking in on hank then heading back to reality. There’s never an expectation that you’ll need to spend all day grinding out levels or exploring endless open worlds. The addition of a premium purchase even allow parents to sidestep the usual lure of in game ads. It all speaks t a set of mindful decisions that make Hanks outing a break from the normal office grind and stand out from its peers. My Talking Hank Islands might not fully depart from the virtual pet genre, but it definitely expands its horizons. It takes the foundation of a well-established franchise and sprinkles in some chaotic new ideas, providing plenty of space for short bursts of play that won’t easily become a chore. If you’re more likely to find yourself racing through the undergrowth or trying to get a high score than tidying your room, then you’re a Hank. Head over to the Outfit7 website to find out more about Hank and get My Talking Hank Island for free on iOS or Android.
