However before you can engage with your EyePets, you first need to configure your PlayStation Camera and Move. This can become a fiddle some process, especially if you don't have adequate gaming space or correct lighting which can cause problems with the configuration. Fortunately, we did not have any issues with the setup process, although the whole process is a little convoluted and if your move your camera, you need to start the whole configuration process again... ugh!

Once configured, we were ready to test our augmented reality experience which in turn almost makes it appear that these creatures are on your living room floor. It's a clever trick of smoke and mirrors that works well.

Before you can start playing with your EyePets, you first need to hatch your virtual egg. Like the previous game, you use the Move controller as a heater in order to "hatch" the egg. As you position the move controller around the egg to heat it up and then use your hands to gently rock the egg,  something interesting happens and just like magic, a baby EyePet is born. There's also plenty of customisation options available for your EyePet so you can make it quite unique which gives the player some ownership over their creation.

With that said, the Move controller is used to do just about everything with your EyePet from giving them showers to playing a variety of mini-games with them but you also need to use your hands as well. As you see your living room floor or wherever your PS3 is setup on the TV, it's quite surreal seeing it as you gently pat your EyePets or interact with them on the floor. Even though it is a gimmick, it's actually quite a fun gimmick that younger gamers will simply adore.

Whether you're giving your EyePet a shower with the Move controller, feeding, purchasing it new items such as clothes to wear or making a trampoline with your virtual pet to jump on, there's plenty of tasks offered to the player. My favourite mini-game was the helicopter flying and although it looks a little lame, it was actually too cute for school! Bulldozer basketball/pool is also fun, especially with two EyePets as they drive around in bulldozers to score points.

However the real challenge for the younger game in EyePet & Friends is to ensure that they look after their pets and although you cannot hurt your pet, you do need to ensure that they are fed, washed and played with to be happy EyePets. Another cool aspect of the title is that you can even create your own items for your EyePets such as toys and playground equipment which can even be shared or downloaded from online. This definitely opens up the replay value of the title.

Graphics & Audio

Graphically, there is not much to EyePet & Friends and the highlight like the previous games are the virtual pets themselves that look quite realistic, especially with their fur, the realistic facial movements and its interaction with the gaming environment. Toys and the mini-games do look a little cheap but quite colourful, however the EyePets are the stars of this game. There is also some slowdown in the title as well, especially with some of the games that use a certain type of special effect like fog when you give you EyePet a shower.