Despite all of the negative and contradictory evidence that the mainstream press likes to focus on, there are times when videogames really can bring families together. Dad may be having an affair at work, Mum's a secret alcoholic, oldest daughter Sally's pregnant with no idea who the father is, and little Billy's just come back from burying a body in the woods, but, thanks to just the right game, they can gather around a T.V. screen with one another and forget all their troubles.

Normally such wholesome moments are accompanied by a range of unnatural body movements carried out in front of a device with 'Nintendo' written on it, but now Sony is threatening to one-up the Wii and enchant all families, not just ones like those in the first paragraph who would otherwise be travelling to Manchester for The Jeremy Kyle show, by using the PS3 Eye Camera to give them a tiny virtual pet to play with and care for. It's a fantastic idea which, when it works, will engross almost everyone, especially children; but a slight lack of depth and a few too many fiddly requirements mean that you will defiantly need a cluster of different aged relatives to get the most out of EyePet, because it's just a bit too frustrating for its young target audience.

In many ways the basic steps you carry out before getting your EyePet are similar to those for a real pet. First you need to adapt your house ready for the new arrival - although here this involves setting up your camera and moving furniture to create sufficient floor space, rather than packing away you pants out of reach and putting Glade air fresheners in every available power socket - then it's time to take delivery of your little critter from the kindly Professor at the EyePet Institute, who, via little video clips, acts as your guide throughout the game on taking care of your new addition.

The game's technology works by showing a constant video feed of the piece of floor that you've pointed the camera at on your T.V. screen. The EyePet will then appear on the screen and move about as if it's actually on the floor, and you can then move into shot as well to interact with it, or should I say 'him', because there don't seem to be any female EyePets, which does makes you wonder!

There's no denying that the EyePet is cute. Right from the second you warm and rock the egg that it arrives in, and the shell finally tumbles away to reveal its' wide eyes, soft face and pointed ears its' a very endearing presence. It looks a bit like a cross between a baby monkey and a baby Vulcan. As it prances and pounces around on the screen your early interactions with it only enhance its Aaahhhh factor. Stroking its fur, wiggling your fingers above its' head so it jumps up and bats at them and causing it to scamper around by swatting your hand in its' general direction are simple pleasures you feel could amuse for hours; but as soon as you're adequately acquainted the Professor's back again to introduce you to the Pet Programme menu.

The Pet Programme is EyePet's main mode. 60 challenges for you and your pet to complete set over 15 imaginary days, with a certain number needing to be completed before the next day's worth are unlocked. Things begin simply enough with you washing, grooming and styling your pet. Choosing things like what colour you want its' fur, and how long this should be, before you're given the option to dress your pet in an initially very limited selection of clothes, such as a baseball cap and a padded jacket if you want it to look like a baby chav in training. It's not long, however, before things start to get more advanced and EyePet really beings to show what wonders it holds.

Just like your pet, the game itself is great at continually making you feel wanted. Complete a challenge and it will send you a gift in the form of new clothes for your EyePet, toys to play with or items to use. Only a few tasks in you'll be rewarded with a camera, and taking specific pictures with this then forms the basis of more than one further task. A little later you'll receive a sketchbook for your EyePet, and if you draw a picture on a piece of plain paper and hold it up to the PS3 camera he'll have a go at copying it, something that's made even more fascinating by the very mixed results. What's really cleaver though, is that further on in the challenges you'll be able to sketch some items that will then become actual usable objects on screen. Watching you're EyePet perch on top of the little car or plane you drew yourself as you move it around using the Playstation controller provides some of the best moments in the game, matched only by the ability to sing to your pet using the PS3 camera's microphone and then listen as he tries to repeat the tune back to you.

Having said this, much more basic activities, like getting your EyePet to bounce up and down on a mini trampoline, or go bowling with him (and yes he does act as the ball) can be equally entertaining, but it's here that some issues with your sweet little friend begin. The game comes complete with a magic card, which is basically a coloured, A5-sized bit of plastic that the PS3 camera recognises and projects objects onto so that you can move them around on screen. While it's of definite benefit to be holding something physical at these times, using the card is awkward because you're only allowed to touch a very small part of it and always have to keep the correct side facing at the camera. One of the very first challenges demands that you feed your EyePet cookies, but try as I might I just couldn't do it. I was copying the required action shown on screen by my pet was paying absolutely no attention to me and there was no assistance from the game on what I was doing wrong - and this certainly wasn't the only occasion this happened.

It really takes you out of the moment, as do some other, small problems with the camera interface. Objects on the card sometimes don't line up quite right, leaving you struggling to perform the necessary movements, and often the perspective gets slightly confused, with your hands passing through your pet, or other items, when you should be connecting with them.

These may sound like minor quibbles but the whole thing about EyePet is that you must believe in its' existence, and when these problems occur they snap you out of the trance EyePet has put you in. It's like watching a magic trick gone slightly wonky, unintentionally revealing the working parts and breaking the illusion. Combined with the samey nature of some of the challenges and the lack of any chance to change your EyePet's basic appearance - you can't swap your monkey for a little cat or elephant inspired creation for example - EyePet suddenly doesn't look like quite the perfect children's toy it certain is for much of the time. Its idea age range is probably 7 to 10 year olds, but some many find it too basic for older children and too difficult to use for younger ones, and these are serious problems as they potentially reduce longevity in something that's all about building up that continuing relationship. Still, at least EyePet is cheaper and cleaner than an actual pet, meaning no more early morning, family strolls ruined by arguments over who's turn it is to carry the little plastic bag of stinking shame.

Reviewed by James Hamblin for AceGamez (All Rights Reserved).