From leading characters to cuddly companions: Unleashing the full potential of cats in video games

It could seem like video games on the market with feline protagonists might be as abundant as a cat's nine lives. Regrettably, these often trail off fairly swiftly, typically because they lack varied offerings. Still, some exceptional finds... Like 'Stray,' a title that recently caused considerable ripples in the industry. I decided to revisit this game, and its immersive nature left me stunned, prompting me to write about the functions and roles our fangy friends play in tournaments.

One simply can't resist a game from BlueTwelve Studio where you can meow endlessly, trot on a keyboard, and scratch carpets without worrying about human reactions. Its perfection is somewhat marred by minor technical flaws that the endearing character's prowess ends up masking. For instance, the ginger cat can paradoxically both pass and not pass through a door. Now, this may sound typical of our unpredictable feline friends, however, I'm referring to closed doors in this case.

Keep in mind, 'Stray' isn't the inaugural game where we, as cats, can toss items around. Earlier we had 'Cat Simulator,' a first-person game with similar capabilities, creating a light hearted chaos and hunting rats. This feline simulator is available for free on Steam, although it was released back in 2016 and may seem a tad dated right now.

The action of petting animals has become a common feature in video games recently. Game developers understand the allure it holds for players. It enriches the gameplay experience and is soothing – much like petting a real-life cat or dog. There's something uniquely pleasing about observing content animals in an animated form.

Speaking of kittens, we can pet them in a variety of recent game releases like the sequel for 'Ghost of Tsushima,' and also 'Forspoken' and 'Hogwarts Legacy.' In 'Forspoken,' the role of the meowing companion exceeds mere petting. Homer - the main character’s pet, plays a vital role in the story's progression. From the get-go, Frey strives to ensure a comfortable life for her cat (who is also her only friend). This is one of the most charming narrative elements I've encountered in video games lately.

Of course, cats in video games don't just roam around cyberpunk cities or enjoy head scratches. Some games feature these pets as travel buddies. One of the more distinctive instances is Daffodil, the blue-eyed cat in 'Spiritfarer.' Daffodil accompanies the lead character, assisting her with ferrying spirits to the afterlife. Quite an adventure considering the main storyline lasts around 30 hours.

The cat’s animations are delightful, such as when it falls asleep or toys with a ball during idle moments, and it complements the game beautifully. Moreover, a second player can join in as Daffodil during local co-op, adding to the gameplay's diversity.

'MouseCraft' is an indie logic game revolving around a eccentric cat scientist named Schrödinger. The story commences with our broke researcher emptying his piggy bank and enumerating his meager savings. His hard-earned money, although quite paltry, is all directed towards buying yellow cheese needed for his white mice experiments.

As players, we assume the role of this cat researcher's partner and aid in the scientific endeavors. The gameplay mainly involves guiding the mice towards Schrödinger's cheese by manipulating blocks on the boards, akin to Tetris. Naturally, several obstacles and complications arise. The title includes over 80 boards that will often make you contemplate hard over puzzle solutions.

I value the liberty of method selection in tactical games like 'Desperados III.' You can either unleash chaos through violent confrontations and attempt evasion, or tread lightly and opt for covert maneuvers. Mimimi Games knew who would excel at the latter, hence employed Isabelle with a portable cat that can be dispatched to distract enemies. During these distractions, we either eliminate an opponent or simply sneak past unsuspected.

'Desperados III' grants us the rare chance to recruit an amiable pet as an accomplice in crimes. This isn’t the sole instance of an animal being used as a decoy tool in tactical games. 'Frigato: Shadows of the Caribbean,' a Polish creation, assigns a similar role to a parrot. This action-packed pirate seafaring game is slated for release in the upcoming months.

Next in this compilation is a soothing indie game where our main task is to arrange various everyday items, a digital representation of tidying up thatone might find more enjoyable than the real deal. We are often tasked with finding a key or developing an organizational scheme for a group of objects.

And where does a cat fit into all this you ask? In 'A Little to the Left,' a cat emerges occasionally to throw a wrench into our plans. You'll notice a fluffy paw nudging the neatly arranged items or a big tail causing a clutter. The creative implementation of a cat in this scenario feels unique and rather realistic.

If you were under the impression that you’d seen it all in video games, 'Ghostwire: Tokyo' begs to differ. A levitating cat dressed in a kimono will certainly register as an odd sight. In the Tokyo portrayed in the game, every living being seems vacant, and you only encounter the less-alive. And where humans are absent, cats thrive. Feline apparitions crop up as vendors and salespersons in shops and stands.

I don't find it surprising that cats, with their cleverness, are depicted in such roles. I suspect they would excel at financial management in real life as well. Ever pondered what it would be like if cats had access to familial budgets? You might return from work one day to find your residence piled high with sachet food. While it's amusing to entertain such thoughts, should you really consider exchanging your house for a cardboard box, a la cat style?

The depiction of cats in video games truly exhibits the creativity of the creators, often drawing inspiration from real-life scenarios— barring some exceptions like our last example. This article mentions just a few of the numerous potential 'employments' of cats in video games. Here's hoping game developers will continue to pursue this avenue and we will get to see more games featuring cats in various roles soon.