Cats and the Other Lives is a delightful fly-on-the-wall point-and-click adventure. Furthermore, the protagonist is almost invisible (not literally). Consequently, the feline hero can waltz, jump, crawl, and sneak her way around the family mansion. However, be warned that there are grim conversations and heart-stopping moments that prevent you from putting this down.
This pixelated point-and-click adventure was developed by Cultic Games and published by OverGamez. Moreover, it has a smattering of puzzles that must be solved and a delightful story to get your claws into. On top of this, the writing is impressive, and the sombre artistry matches the oppressive and daunting mood. Accordingly, though it isn’t the longest game I’ve played, I adored every uncomfortable and calculating moment.
Cats and the Other Lives tells a grim tale.
Death is never an easy part of life. Yet, we must all be accepting of our fate. Furthermore, when someone passes, it inevitably brings back painful and enjoyable memories. However, when money is thrown into the equation, things get very messy, very quickly. Unfortunately, this is exactly what happens in Cats and the Other Lives. Consequently, some dark and harrowing moments will make you grimace. Additionally, some brilliantly heart-warming cutscenes piece everything together.
The Mason family must return to their family home for one last visit. Bernard Mason has passed away and his estate and affairs must be dealt with. However, this is no easy feat as raw emotions and money must be considered. On top of this, there is an element of the supernatural, as things are not quite as they seem. Aspen the cat takes the lead role as she explores her surroundings whilst listening to every conversation and solving the problems she encounters.
Life as a cat is a blast.
Though much of the action is uncomfortable, you have a blast controlling Aspen. This old ginger cat is still agile and nimble. Furthermore, she’ll happily chase a mouse, play with a laser, or sneak behind chairs. When needed, she’ll use her heightened senses to see in the dark or to track strange smells. It is these special skills that help her find the solution to each problem.
As you wander around the mansion and other locations, you must show love to the humans whilst jumping on surfaces and finding sentimental items. Alternatively, you are required to squeeze through tight spaces whilst chasing mice or spiders. It was these basic puzzles that broke up an otherwise depressing but impressively written plot. Moreover, the mix of jovial and sad moments and some interesting flashbacks to the ’60s/’70s added layers of depth and intrigue.
A linear approach.
Though Aspen is free to explore the mansion, the gameplay is linear in its approach. As such, as you enter a room, you may not leave until you have completed every task. What’s more, you may not freely roam from room to room. This was a clever mechanic from the developer as it ensured you remained on track while limiting the inevitable back and forth.
Cats and the Other Lives is wonderfully old-school.
I have been inundated with old-school, pixelated titles. Yet, I never get bored with what I see. The earthy colour palette matches the sombre and daunting theme. Moreover, this is juxtaposed by the colourful flashbacks to the ’60s and ’70s. This was a fabulous idea that helped to define each important moment. Alongside this, the fixed-screen perspective ensures that you never feel out of your depth.
What I particularly liked was the simple animation and the weird faceless characters. The latter option could create confusion regarding emotion and connectivity with the audience. Yet, the incredible dialogue and the use of basic sound effects helped to convey every emotion. On top of this, the audio was wonderfully atmospheric. I loved the dank music and the ambient sounds. Subsequently, this was a captivating experience that gets under your skin.
The controls were clumsy.
Though the controls were easy to understand, they were unfortunately clumsy. You were free to walk and run as much or as little as you liked. However, executing each action requires you to flit between each surface. Moreover, you must select what you’d like to do with each item. As such, it wasn’t that intuitive and this caused problems when you needed to react quickly.
As you explore each location, you will find items that must be examined. These poignant objects form part of Aspen’s memory collection. Though this isn’t essential to completing the game, you must find them all if you wish to complete the game. Consequently, Cats and the Other Lives has limited replay value and longevity.
Cats and the Other Lives is a great indie title.
Playing the part of a family cat was a little strange. However, this inconspicuous protagonist hears everything while exploring every nook and cranny. As such, you will witness some uncomfortable scenes as you piece together a dark and sinister family history. Accordingly, I love it and I recommend that you buy it here! Can you uncover the family secret? Hide in the shadows, use your heightened senses, and solve every problem.
