French App: Pocket Hamster Mania Goes Global

                Pocket Hamster Mania is the second game from developer CDO Apps
                Currently a French exclusive, there are plans for a major international release
                Collect over 50 cuddly critters, engage in 25 different activities and explore five environments at launch
            

Hamsters are the cuddly rodents of the animal world. A little smaller than guinea pigs, and less socially inappropriate than rats. It's little surprise then that they're such fond fodder for mobile and the subject of CDO App's Pocket Hamster Mania. So what's the appeal of this cuddly creature collector that's out now on the French app store, and planned for worldwide release?

Well, if you're expecting some bizarre new take on the creature simulation genre, you may be disappointed. In Pocket Hamster Mania, you collect hamsters - unsurprisingly - and have them perform fun activities to produce seeds, with certain hamsters better suited to specific activities.

Naturally, there's a gacha mechanic as well, but that's to be expected, and at launch Pocket Hamster Mania will boast over 50 of the cuddly critters to collect. Meanwhile, 25 activities spread over five environments give you plenty to unlock, with CDO Apps promising further incremental updates.

Considering this is CDO App's second release, I think this is a commendably ambitious approach, as gacha is quite a saturated genre currently. Mainly because, whatever one can imagine, there's typically already a game for it. However, CDO seems to have launched with substantial initial content and plans for an international release ahead of schedule. So we'll be monitoring Pocket Hamster Mania, and observing its performance if (or when) it launches internationally.

Meanwhile, if you seek another recent release to satisfy your fondness for cuddly creatures, consider our own Will Quick's review of Hamster Inn to see his assessment of this charming hotel sim where you manage a hamster home, balancing active and casual gameplay.