
In recent years, cats have taken over not only YouTube and social media, but also the world of video games. From heroes in cyberpunk worlds to explorers of fantasy realms, felines offer a unique combination of agility, mystery and charm that has won over gamers of all ages.

Games with a diversity of genres, such as RPGs, narrative adventures and even platformers, demonstrate how cats have surpassed themselves, going from simple NPCs to main stars.

In this article, we will look at 13 games that feature cats as protagonists, with creative mechanics, exciting experiences and, of course, the best of meow essence.

Stray
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Stray was a cultural phenomenon, everyone was talking about the so-called "cat game". Here, you control a stray kitten lost in a cyberpunk city inhabited by robots.

The game's main character was inspired by Murtaugh, a real cat rescued by the team at BlueTwelve Studio. Stray captivates us with the precision of feline movements, from agile jumps to behaviors such as sharpening claws on sofas.

The gameplay mixes vertical exploration, puzzle-solving and stealth, while the narrative addresses themes of loneliness and resilience. The game stands out for its neo-noir art direction and atmospheric soundtrack, which transport us to a post-apocalyptic world where the cat is the link between the human past and the dystopian present.

Stray is available on PC, Xbox Series, PS4, PS5.
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Cat Quest (Series)

Cat Quest is a 2D open-world action RPG that parodies classics like The Legend of Zelda. The plot revolves around the war between the kingdoms of Felingard (cats) and Lupus (dogs), where the two kings, feline and canine, are forced to unite to reclaim their thrones.

With dynamic combat, equipment customization (swords, staffs) and local co-op mode, the game has mechanics such as magic and combinable passive abilities. The colorful visuals and humor full of feline puns ("meowventure") won over fans of casual and hardcore games.

Cat Quest is available on PC, PS4, Xbox One, Xbox Series, Nintendo Switch.
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Copycat

Copycat has a moving narrative, addressing themes such as trauma, abandonment and belonging through the story of Dawn, a shelter cat adopted by Olive, a lonely elderly woman. The story takes a turn when an impostor cat steals her place, getting her kicked out of her home and having to survive on the streets.

With gameplay focused on calm exploration and poetic dialogue, the game explores heavy themes with sensitivity, offering an introspective experience.

The soundtrack and dubbing improve this dramatic charge, making Copycat an emotional rollercoaster.
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Copycat is available on PC, Xbox Series, PS5, Nintendo Switch*
Little Kitty, Big City

Little Kitty, Big City has a similar style to Stray, but with a lighter tone. Here, you’re a curious cat trapped in a metropolis after falling from the apartment where you live.

The game encourages us to do what cats like most, knock over vases, climb, steal fish from vendors and even lets us use "fun hats" (like a leaf or a helmet) to customize your kitty.
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The city is an open playground filled with main and side missions, like helping a crow find objects, all with realistic physics systems for climbing and jumping.

The graphics are adorable and perfectly depicted in a cartoon style. The humor in the game is great, with puns in the conversations that encourage us to explore every inch of the map. Little Kitty, Big City is an extremely fun game that will make you feel like you actually become a cat for a few hours.

Little Kitty, Big City is available for PC, Xbox Series, Nintendo Switch.
Only Way is Down
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Only Way is Down is a challenging adventure that puts you in the paws of a kitten on an unexpected journey home. After a nap on a construction site, he wakes up on top of a skyscraper under construction.

The player must find their way through a maze of platforms, precise jumps and difficult paths to get the kitten back to the comfort of home.

The game is quite challenging and requires precision when jumping. If two paws are left in the air, the cat can tip over and fall. Vertical scenarios with beams, cranes and scaffolding test the player's agility, while items unlock visual accessories (glasses, masks). Realistic movement physics and the "infinite city" atmosphere create an intense experience.

Only Way is Down is available on PC.
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Blacksad: Under the Skin

Based on the graphic novel Blacksad, this crime noir puts you in the shoes of John Blacksad, a handsome detective in the 1950s New York. Blacksad investigates the murder of Joe Dunn, the owner of a boxing club.

With complex investigations, branching dialogues and a feline scent system to find clues, the game introduces us to themes such as corruption and racism. The dark art and immersive voice acting complement the adult narrative, offering a unique experience in the adventure genre.

Blacksad: Under the Skin is available on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series, Nintendo Switch
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Night in the Woods

In Night in the Woods, we meet Mae Borowski, an anthropomorphic cat who drops out of college and returns to Possum Springs, a ruined old mining town. *Mae's goal is to reconnect with the friends she left behind.

The game combines side-scrolling exploration, mini-games and dialogues that discuss mental health, alienation and social change. With a cast of expressive animal characters and a supernatural mystery in the forests, the poetic narrative and indie-rock soundtrack won over players and critics.

Night in the Woods is available on PC, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
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Catlateral Damage: Remeowstered

In Catlateral Damage: Remeowstered", the player takes on the role of a domestic cat who causes chaos and destruction in the home. The objective here is simple: be a cat, knock over objects, scratch curtains, climb furniture and other feline behaviors that owners don't like.

The game is an enhanced edition of the original Catlateral Damage, with improved graphics and more content. This version has added new levels, multiplayer modes and more realistic destruction physics, as well as the possibility of unlocking other cats and special powers.

With simple controls and absurd humor, the game is a fun tribute to the feline world and an experience where the player can interact with the environment and be faithful to the antics of domestic cats.
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Catlateral Damage: Remeowstered is available on PC, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Umbraclaw

In Umbraclaw we learn the story of Kuon, a domestic cat who dies and awakens in the Spirit Plane. The player controls Kuon as he tries to find a way back to the mortal world, facing challenges and enemies from the Spirit Plane.

It’s a 2D action game with roguelike elements, and the story can have different endings depending on the player's choices and actions along the way. Kuon will cross paths with other souls in the underworld in a hand-drawn, paper-cut style of graphic art, with distorted enemies and environments.
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Each death grants a new ability ("Anima Revive"), such as freezing enemies or flying, but Kuon can only be reborn nine times, a reference to the myth of feline lives. A challenging and moving game, where Kuon's journey questions how far you’ll go to preserve your "felinity".

Umbraclaw is available on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox Series, Nintendo Switch
Gato Roboto

Gato Roboto is a Metroidvania, with exploration on a large and expansive map, where the player has to collect items and abilities that allow access to other areas. Kiki, a cat exploring an alien planet, is trying to rescue her human, a spaceship captain trapped after an accident.
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With a minimalist black and white aesthetic, Kiki pilots a mecha combining gameplay in robotic armor with moments where she needs to use her feline instincts to explore tighter and more dangerous areas. The story is light and fun, with a dark and serious atmosphere.

Gato Roboto is available for PC, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Whisker Waters

Whisker Waters is an RPG adventure where a fishing cat sets out to save its village from a mystical plague. The game combines elements of Animal Crossing with a "trust gauge"-based combat, which affects your interactions with NPCs. The mini-game fishing system and watercolor visuals stand out in this celebration of nature and community.
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Combining platforming and exploration elements, the game is aimed primarily at a younger audience or those who enjoy light and fun games. Whisker will navigate through different environments, collecting items, solving small puzzles and facing obstacles along the way.

The game’s visuals are simply gorgeous, with a design that conveys a cheerful and welcoming atmosphere. The gameplay is simple and intuitive, allowing players of all ages to enjoy the story without difficulties. In addition, the game offers various missions and hidden secrets to discover.

Whisker Waters is available on PC, PS5, Nintendo Switch
The Purring Quest
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The Purring Quest is a charming game that combines elements of adventure, exploration and puzzle-solving, all with a cute and cozy ambience. A heartwarming 2D adventure, inspired by real stories of missing cats. As Kim, a lost cat, you face urban dangers such as cars and dogs, to reunite with your owner. The melancholic settings and piano soundtrack reinforce themes of longing and hope, with gameplay focused on exploration and stealth.

The game features adorable graphics, with an art style that conveys a comfortable feeling, as well as a soothing soundtrack that completes the experience. The gameplay is fun, ideal for players who enjoy light and engaging adventures. The Purring Quest provides an enjoyable experience full of cute moments.

The Purring Quest is available on PC.
Crypt Custodian
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Crypt Custodian was developed by the same creator of Gato Roboto. The game is an adventure where you take on the role of a crypt guardian, exploring mysterious environments and protecting valuable treasures. The main objective is to solve puzzles, face challenges and ensure the safety of the precious items that are under your responsibility.

With gameplay that mixes strategy and exploration, the game offers a great experience for those who enjoy mysteries and adventures. Your duty is to clean the dungeons of ghosts using a magic mop. With agile movements and puzzles that require manipulation of the environment, Crypt Custodian is heavily inspired by the games in the Zelda franchise, but with a feline friendliness in the air.

Crypt Custodian is available on PC, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series.
Wrapping Up
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Digital felines have evolved from secondary characters to complex protagonists, capable of driving deep narratives and innovating with their mechanics. Games like Stray and Copycat show that stories about loss and resilience can be universal when seen through feline eyes, while Umbraclaw and Gato Roboto reinvent traditional genres with technical creativity.
In addition to commercial appeal, this trend of cat protagonists reflects a search for different perspectives on themes already explored, whether through the urban chaos of Little Kitty, Big City or the rural melancholy of Night in the Woods. Cats are symbols of curiosity and independence and will continue to inspire developers, proving that in the world of games, nine lives are just the beginning.
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