Stray offers a glimpse into a future world through the eyes of a stray cat. Since its reveal, the project has sparked excitement and conversation, a natural response given how beloved cats are across North America and beyond. While Stray drew wide attention, a number of feline-focused games have carved out their own charming spaces. This roundup highlights ten titles where feline characters take center stage, delivering warmth, humor, and a touch of whimsy to players.
Monster Hunter Rise
The Monster Hunter series is renowned for its cooperative spirit, and Rise adds a memorable feline touch with Palicoes. These upright cat companions accompany hunters, actively participating in village life. A Palico can heal injuries in battles, and their presence shines in screenshots and fan art alike.
In Monster Hunter Rise players can design their own Palico and deploy it broadly across their journeys. Caring for the furry ally, entertaining it, and feeding it treats are part of the experience. Palico chefs contribute playful cooking sequences that fans love.
The game’s charm extends to its mascots, who bring personality to every expedition and a dash of humor to teamwork.
Shelter 2 and Shelter: Generations
Shelter presents a tender guardian experience as players protect a lynx family through a wide open world. The focus is on tracking, hunting, and guiding cubs toward safety, while exploring and discovering new places along the way.
The game’s world shifts with the seasons, presenting fresh challenges and dangers in every cycle. After the initial immersion, many players form strong emotional attachments to the feline characters. Critics praised its storytelling, and players on platforms like Steam responded with affection for the portrayal of feline life.
In this series, the mood blends gentle exploration with peril, inviting players to experience a natural, cat-kinesthetic pace of life.
Tokyo Jungle
Set in a sun-scorched Tokyo, this survival game lets players assume control of cats and compete for resources in a posthuman cityscape. Building a pride, expanding a lineage, and securing territory reflect core cat instincts, adapted to a game mechanic that rewards strategic choices and cooperation.
Beyond felines, the roster features a variety of other creatures, each with its own goals and playstyles. Completing missions can unlock customization and upgrades, helping offspring endure the harsh, neon-lit streets of a transformed Tokyo.
Do you have a cat at home?
The Fury of Super Mario Bowser
Bowser’s Fury expands the Mario universe with an open-world twist. Players guide Mario to cleanse Lake Lupket of a dark liquid, freeing Bowser in the process. The setting indulges a playful, cat-inspired aesthetic with a twist. Players collect “Sun Cats” as a progression mechanic, and many environments feature feline motifs, from paws on walls to costumes that evoke cat-like behavior.
The presence of curious cats in the world’s architecture and puzzles adds a lighthearted layer to the adventure. If you enjoy classic Mario gameplay and the charm of animal companions, Bowser’s Fury delivers a distinctive experience.
The Story of a Street Cat
A Street Cat’s Tale follows a lost kitten navigating a sprawling city to survive. Its pixel art style supports a compact, storytelling-driven adventure with multiple endings. Players guide the kitten through urban streets, seek help from people, interact with other cats, collect narrative items, and complete non-linear tasks that shape the conclusion.
Blacksad: Under the Skin
Blacksad: Under the Skin blends noir storytelling with investigative gameplay and quick-time events. Based on the popular comic series, the game appeals to fans of narrative-driven experiences and crime fiction. A jazz soundtrack, memorable characters, and a gripping plot keep players engaged until the final scene. A detailed review highlights why the title deserves attention for its atmosphere and pacing.
Night in the Woods
Night in the Woods follows Mei, an anthropomorphic cat, as she returns to her hometown and uncovers strange happenings tied to a mysterious forest. The game intertwines platforming, exploration, and a strong narrative reminiscent of visual novels. Its character-driven storytelling and music create an immersive atmosphere that resonates with many players.
The title is celebrated for its unique tone, strong character writing, and high reception on Steam as well as a favorable Metacritic score.
Cat Quest 2
This bright isometric RPG unfolds in a feline-friendly world where cats wield magic and swords. Critics welcomed Cat Quest 2 for its charm, humor, and accessible combat. Dozens of costumes let players customize their cat hero, and the expansive map invites exploration with friends or solo.
The game blends action, humor, and a sense of whimsy, inviting players to dive into a lighthearted quest through a fantasy setting filled with wonders and surprises.
Catlateral Damage
Catlateral Damage offers a playful sandbox where players take on the role of a mischievous house cat. The aim is simple: cause gentle chaos by knocking objects over and exploring every corner of a randomly generated home. The challenge lies in the cat’s agility and the thrill of discovering how to topple items without getting caught by the human owner.
The game appeals to fans of goofy, slapstick humor and cat-themed mischief. Positive reception on digital storefronts reflects its broad appeal to cat lovers and casual gamers alike.
Cateau
Cateau is a renowned visual novel experience focused on cats, featuring soothing music, a striking visual style, and a non-linear storyline. Set in Paris, the story unfolds as a neighbor’s illness prompts a quest to gather as many cats as possible, with non-linear choices guiding relationships and outcomes.
The game runs a compact length, offering an intimate, emotionally resonant journey that can be completed in a few hours.
These titles illustrate a spectrum of feline-themed experiences—ranging from lighthearted adventures to deeper narratives. Whether you seek action, mystery, or cozy simulation, cat-centered games continue to entertain and inspire players. If you have a favorite cat-themed game or a new title to suggest, share your thoughts in the comments.
Which of the following games have you played?
Source: VG Times