I had a feeling this game would emotionally destroy me, and I was not wrong.
CopyCat is an immersive and emotional narrative game, where you play as a newly adopted cat.
In this article, we’ll be giving a full review of the game and ranking it from decaf to fully caffeinated.
Prefer to watch the video version? Check it out here
Story
CopyCat sits firmly in the narrative game category, and its incredible story is exactly why. Kicking off in an animal shelter, you’ll find yourself being adopted by a sweet old lady. Things soon begin to take a more interesting twist, as you realize your new owner is unwell, and that you are a replacement for a cat she lost.
You’ll navigate throughout the house, slowly beginning to trust your new owner, before tragedy strikes, with you being left home alone for days while your owner is in hospital. Upon your owner’s return, your place in the household is taken over by a cat who looks identical to you.
The story in this game is completely immersive, and at times can feel like a punch to the gut. Mostly told through interactive cut scenes, dreamlike sequences, and your inner kitty dialogue, you get a really interesting picture of what it’s like to be a pet, and what they are probably thinking.
The narrative really dictates the responsibility that comes with owning a pet and that pets really are part of your family, showcasing the journey of building a relationship with your furry friend, and how quickly things can change. The story of the game is absolutely incredibly done.
So, for story, I’m rating Copycat as Fully Caffeinated.
GAMEPLAY
For me, the gameplay was probably the weakest area of the game. Most of the gameplay consists of semi-open world exploration, combined with mini-games and interactive dialogue sequences. There’s definitely a mix of linear story sections, where you’re not given a whole lot of choice and often the choices you make don’t really seem to affect the outcome.
There are different mini-games for certain parts of the game like cat fighting, swiping, pouncing, and other kitty adventures, but a lot of them feel pretty basic. There’s definitely a lot of variety in there, giving you different types of gameplay throughout, and the balance between the story-heavy sections and the open-world sections is really good.
Some of the mechanics felt a little bit tedious, involving repetitive button mashing, and the jumping is a little borked, but functioned well enough. The attention to detail in the open-world sections is incredible, and I loved being able to scratch things up.
So, for gameplay, I’m rating Copycat as Buzzed.
DESIGN
The design of CopyCat is absolutely breathtaking. The game world is stunning, and really creates the perfect setting for the story. The dream sequences add a lot of fun and color to the game, which is done in such a clever way.
I loved the way the game’s color changed throughout the story, adding emotion in a subtle way, and the differences between day and night were executed so well. The soundtrack is absolutely incredible, really adding so much depth to the game and the story, and the voice acting was such a stand-out.
So, for design, I’m rating Copycat as Fully Caffeinated.
ORIGINALITY
CopyCat isn’t the first cat game we’ve had, but it’s definitely the first one to explore such deep and emotional themes. The gameplay could definitely be compared to games like Stray or Little Kitty Big City, with the open-world exploration side really feeling similar. But the game could not be more different to either of them in terms of aesthetic and story.
The story is really the hero of the game, and it so delicately explores themes of belonging, family, rejection, and home in a way that is captivating and told so beautifully. I don’t think I’ve played many games that have had this level of emotional impact.
So, for originality, I’m rating Copycat as Fully Caffeinated.
THE FINAL BREW
Copycat is a game that honestly feels like you’re playing a work of art. Not only is it crafted so stunningly, but it also has such an incredible meaning behind the story. This is a game that should be mandatory to play before adopting a pet, and is one that has definitely left an imprint on my soul.
We’ve ground the beans, weighed and pressed the grinds, and brewed this game down. Now it’s time for a taste test… Copycat is Fully Caffeinated!
Copycat is available on Steam now. You can check it out here.
Until next time, stay caffeinated!
