Owners and enjoyers of cats may know that there is a lot to be envious of when it comes to being a four-legged fur friend. Sleeping, being finicky, causing chaos, and expecting to be fed constantly for free are some of the regular pleasures cats can partake in that humans may not have the privilege of.
If video game fans find themselves constantly wishing that they could isekai themselves into a world where they are a cat, there are several indie games that are waiting to help that fantasy come true through the monitor. However, beware that not all cat games focus on the simple pleasures of cat life!
8 Stray
Stray by BlueTwelve Studio is a stunning immersive game about a cat that got separated from the colony and found its way into the depths of an underground city populated by robots. In this cyberpunk adventure game, the player can roam around like any stray cat would, making friends with the locals, solving perilous missions, and finding cozy spots to take naps.
Stray combines a thrilling adventure with the natural abilities cats offer to give unique ways to interact with the environment using stealth, balance, and nimble jumping abilities.
7 The Cat Games
The Cat Games by M. Hanka is a series of minigames wherein the player completes three main challenges alongside several smaller matches that players can use to achievement hunt, much like a cat would hunt its prey. The three main games take into consideration cat abilities and knowledge, such as reflexes, dexterity, reaction time, and avoiding getting wet.
The pleasant and simple art style and purring sound effects reflect the true nature of cats as well. While not extremely difficult, this game offers a bit of a challenge for players who are self-proclaimed cat enthusiasts.
6 Cattails
Cattails from Falcon Development is a game for those who are truly looking to become their best cat-self or were a fan of the Warrior Cats series. In this game, players are a feral cat in the wilderness looking to survive. As a cat, players will hunt, fight or befriend other cats, and have the opportunity to romance one of sixteen eligible cat-partner options.
Of course, if cat-romance is not appealing, Cattails also includes mysterious caverns that can be explored to find some trouble and a chance to find riches. This game allows for full cat colony customization and fun.
5 Rain World
Rain World by Videocult is a survival platformer pixelbit game wherein the player becomes a slugcat. With the upper body of a cat and lower body of a slug, and equally predator and prey, the player must explore the ancient ruins of civilization to find food and escape ravenous predators that look to make a meal of slugcats.
The player must rely on stealth and wit in order to make it in the perilous environment and hope for a chance of survival in the deeply atmosphericRain World.
4 Catlateral Damage
If being a destructive cat feels like a calling, Catlateral Damage by Manekoware and Fire Hose Games should satisfy that craving. As a first-person (or rather, first-cat) perspective game, the goal is to knock as many items onto the ground as possible.
Make a mess of all rooms in the house, destroy precious items, render electronics unusable, and use the available two paws to become a weapon of cat destruction. Players can also collect several cats, power-ups, and real-life photos of cats through the destructive gameplay.
3 Gato Roboto
While some cats live a life of luxury and comfort, others are called to become heroes and save their owners. In Gato Roboto, the player becomes a cat with an armored mech tasked with the responsibility of saving their leader from an alien-inhabited underworld.
This Metroidvania seeks to offer that fun adventure experience through the perspective of a small cat with big mech abilities, the ability to get new weapons and gear, use stealth in areas not accessible to the mech, and fight otherworldly monsters. Become a cat hero in this retro 2-D adventure game!
2 Cat Quest
Cat Quest by The Gentlebros is one of a soon-to-be three-game series about being a cat in an action RPG. In this open-world game, the players are tasked with finding their catnapped sister through real-time combat, customizable attack build, and a ton of world exploration.
Along the way, players can grab loot, dungeon dive, and help in side quests for other furry adventurers. Cat Quest is sure to satisfy the dueling desire of players to be a cat as well as an action machine.
1 Night In The Woods
.jpeg?q=50&fit=crop&w=1500&dpr=1.5)
Night In The Woods from the developers at Infinite Fall is an adventure game following the main character Mae Borowski, a recent college dropout who recently moved back to her small hometown to resume her previous life and reconnect with friends she had left behind. However, things are not as she left them as strange happenings are occurring around town and the woods surrounding it.
While this game is less about being a cat and more about the affordances given to the game by casting a cat as the main character, the player can experience the very impactful narrative of the game without feeling too involved since there are no humans.