Players with access to the Malaysian Peridot beta shared early feedback on Niantic’s new game, how it compares to Pokémon GO and how they are enjoying the experience so far. Peridot is still in early stages of development, but as we discussed in our release date speculation article, the game looks very good for an early version.
It looks like we’re not the only ones holding that opinion, as most players have described the game as enjoyable, but somewhat limited and lacking in features at the moment. Not surprisingly, as the game has been out for less than a month.
Nevertheless, here’s what soft launch players have shared about the game. All of the commentary has been shared in this reddit thread.
Peridot is enjoyable, but limited so far
I’m enjoying it so far. Always been a big fan of breeding sim sites like wajas, lioden or flight rising and other RNGesus ARPGs (art role-playing games) like dracostryx, tokotas, etc. Peridot is a more complex version of that and for that, I think its great because I have always wanted to see a site like that have their critters animated and able to be interacted with, which you can with dots.
Now, the interactions some may currently feel are limited. I don’t because I come from playing tamagotchi’s in the 90s. You only had a handful of options there, Peridot already blows those out of the water, with the accommodation that you don’t have to worry about not playing every day if life is busy.
Breeding variability – there’s a lot. I’m still spotting dots with new patterns or animation styles or crest style or plumes in different shapes/placements daily. There may not be different colored or shaped eyes, but they do have a good variety of mask shapes which can also come in a variety of colors. Some of these features may not be things people are used to seeing customized but I find that just part of learning the species you are working with, dots in this case.
Overall, as a beta, loving what I see so far. If more is coming? Even better.
Encourages you to walk more than Pokémon GO
Playing from Malaysia. My wife and I are loving it so far. I’m more encouraged to walk in this game compared to Pokemon Go. It’s nice to have my home pet (cat) and my work pet – Peridot.
Although, the breeding mechanics could use some clarity.
Gameplay in general is lacking to me, that’s why I usually just check in once or twice a day but only for a few minutes.
– CascadiyaBA
Okay, but gameplay is rather boring
By CascadiyaBA
It’s okay I guess. I really love the idea. The dots look cute but imo there’s not enough variety right now to make it interesting enough. Also gameplay in general is lacking to me, that’s why I usually just check in once or twice a day but only for a few minutes.
Nearly the same body shape for all of them (theres a slimmer and a bigger one but the difference is very small). No different faces or eyes. If this game wants to solely exist for breeding, it needs so many more options imo.
Whenever I check locations near me, many dots look very similar and I never feel motivated to get up and leave the house right now just to breed a specific dot, because I feel like something similar is coming soon again anyways.
Gameplay is pretty boring to me, tbh. The digging isn’t really fun as they’re digging up the same things over and over again. It’s cute and fun in the beginning but gets boring fast. Watching them isn’t that interesting either. They’re cute but they don’t do much when they idle either, so I really don’t know what to do when I open up the game. I really want to spend time with my dot but its so unappealing because digging for hours isn’t fun and the food will spoil anyways.
Event dots/nests could spice it up by bringing rare breeding options into the game so going outside and searching for a pretty dot feels more rewarding. Minigames to make spending time with/ leveling your dot more fun. Breeding with friends or even trading dots. Dots interacting with each other when you meet a friend. Spotting dots in the wild when you look around. Dots reacting to sounds / voices.
These are just random ideas and I have no idea if any of this could work but in my opinion this game just needs MORE to be a game that people choose to play over long time periods.