“If cats looked like frogs we’d realize what nasty, cruel little bastards they are. Style. That’s what people remember.” – Terry Pratchett
Overview
A Castle Full of Cats is a delightfully creepy hidden object game from Devcats, creators of A Building Full of Cats and Zodiacats, amongst other cat-themed games! Players must find a host of cursed felines in the titular castle in order to save the day!
Developer: Devcats
Released: 9th November 2022
Price: £2.45
Platforms: Windows, Linux
Available on: Steam
Engine: Unknown
This game is being reviewed as part of the Indie Game Collective (IGC) showcase.
Gameplay
The gameplay is very similar to that of the game’s predecessor, there are a set number of cats to find per area, some will be hidden in plain sight and another set will be hidden within objects and are harder to find. Navigation is more complicated than in the previous game with a series of rooms that lead off one another in different directions. However, there is a helpful map that is available to view once found in one of the areas. A single hint per area is also available once a crystal ball has been found, this can be especially helpful as the last cat in each room always seems to be particularly elusive! There are other objects that can be found in-game too, such as keys to unlock secrets.
Different rooms unlock as each area is completed or a certain number of cats have been found. The path through the labyrinthine castle will eventually lead to the tower where Fofiño is. In order to save him the player must complete a series of timed hidden object challenges in a derailment from the game’s overall casual tone. This section is a little challenging but very satisfying and made an interesting addition to the experience.
Narrative
A castle of abandoned cats has been cursed, turning all the feline inhabitants into nightmare cats, mummified, bat-like or with some other spooky deformation. Players take on the role of Lily, a fearsome calico cat on a mission to release the cats from the curse, including her beloved Fofiño! The narrative is delivered through the gameplay and a couple of short interludes talking to named cats around the castle. It is a nice little story and makes a welcome addition, adding a sense of purpose to the hidden object gameplay.
Styling
A Castle Full of Cats has a very colourful, cartoon aesthetic. The cute hand-drawn illustrations consist solely of detailed linework on colourful backgrounds with cats being filled in with colour as they are discovered. The regular and hidden cats will be filled with different colours from each other and the colours used varies from room to room.
The music is a highlight of the game, with a range of tracks that fit the game perfectly. The audio includes eerie twinkling with melancholy vocals, sinister piano, moody guitar and ominous drumming, and even some jaunty keyboard, the variety is immense for such a short game. The music fits the game perfectly and really adds a sense of atmosphere and casual tension.
Summary
A Castle Full of Cats is another great game from Devcats, and a wonderful example of a hidden object game. The hand-drawn art and evocative music combine well to create a cute but creepy aesthetic that really fits the narrative. The extra mechanics and things to find really enhance the gameplay and put a little twist on the simple hidden object premise making for a really enjoyable experience. It will easily provide 1-2 of hours of gameplay depending on the completion level. It is available for less than a cup of coffee, is a lot of fun and I wholeheartedly recommend it to fans of the genre and cat lovers alike!
If you like cat-themed games, you might also enjoy these titles:
Fisti-Fluffs: Feline Fighting Fun in Cat-tastic New Combat Game – Purrfect Date – Romance and Research on Cat Island – Cattails – An Adorable Open-World Cat Survival RPG