As an avid gamer and cat lover, I was looking for the perfect way to celebrate International Cat Day (August 8th). This year, the stars are aligned for something very special – the release of Cat Quest 3. This game promises an incredibly adorable adventure, combining the cuteness of cats with truly addictive gameplay that will resonate with animal lovers and gamers alike.
Set in a beautifully crafted 2.5D open world, this action RPG lets you take control of a “swashbuckling Purrivateer” (a cat, of course) as you explore a pirate world called the Purribean, teeming with evil Pi-Rats on the hunt for a long-lost mythical treasure. You’ll also sail this terrain on your own ship, completing thrilling side quests, battling formidable enemies, and going on your own thrilling treasure hunt.
The Cat Quest series has always been celebrated for its charming graphics, clever wordplay and exciting storylines, and this latest installment is no exception. If you enjoyed the game Stray and need something similar, then you’re in luck. Here’s why Cat Quest 3 is worth playing on this very fine day…
A simple, cheerful story
Those who have played the first two Cat Quest games will know that the story is primarily set in an open-world kingdom, but this time around you’ll embark on a quest through the sun-bleached, palm-studded Purribean Archipelago to find the mysterious North Star treasure.
As the protagonist, the tabby cat, you are chosen as one of the “Seekers” – individuals destined to discover the North Star, a legendary artifact said to grant any wish. Accompanied by a mysterious ghost sidekick named Captain Cappey, it is your job to explore the world and capture the North Star before rival pirate factions get their hands on it.
While it’s a very simple story with almost no character development, it still manages to create an engaging experience that’s easy to immerse yourself in. I found that the narrative never overwhelmed me, meaning I was able to become completely engrossed in the journey as I cleared dungeons and sailed to each little island. As much as I love incredibly deep and complex narratives (considering The Last of Us is my favorite game of all time), it was actually nice to play a refreshingly simple game on my PC.
There is much to discover in this colourful world
The pirate world of Purribean in Cat Quest 3 is inspired by the golden age of piracy, but with an adorable feline twist thrown in. The game features a map filled with lush tropical islands, each offering unique environments, quests, and enemies.
The main antagonists are the Pi-rats, a group of nefarious pirate rats on their own quest to find mythical treasures like the North Star. These cunning enemies provide both comedy and challenging combat, constantly trying to outsmart you and defeat you at every turn. Your only option for survival in Purribean is to engage in thrilling ship-to-ship combat or fight them with your claws, thunderbolts and magic spells.
While I find the map incredibly entertaining, I have to praise the streamlined gameplay. I was able to quickly board my ship and sail to the next island within seconds. Each island is visible on the world map from the start, eliminating the need for loading screens. These compact islands offered a variety of quests and hidden character interactions that kept me hooked.
The Purribean is also full of side quests that offer additional challenges and rewards, so if you get a little tired of the story, you can always do something else. A fun example is finding three buried keys on a beach island to help some other cats open their treasure chests (and yes, I got to keep the treasure at the end). Other quests often involve finding valuables hidden in dungeons by completing tasks and fighting the Pi Rats within.
Personalize your gear and look
I will always appreciate a game with personalized features. Cat Quest 3 relies heavily on this aspect to ensure that players upgrade their gear as they fight more challenging opponents. When you enter this menu, you can see your current level and inventory. This includes costumes, cute accessories, combat items (like claws and swords), and blasters. There are also three sections you can unlock for all the spells you collect from completing quests and exploring dungeons.
Being able to upgrade my equipment and choose my cat’s appearance gives the adventure a very unique feel. I especially love being able to customize my character’s skills and appearance to suit my play style. For example, when I was able to travel to more distant islands, the enemies were harder to defeat (I learned this the hard way). A quick look in the customization menu helped me find some extremely effective claws for close combat, and then I progressed without a problem.
Of course, you only have a few decent options if you find treasure chests and complete as many side quests as possible, otherwise you’re left with just a very basic (but very cute) cat that doesn’t do much damage while sailing the seas.
Cat Quest 3 is the perfect choice for International Cat Day and I know I’ll be playing it for weeks afterward. Its addictive gameplay, colorful pirate-themed world, and customization feature make it a fun experience for anyone who loves cats (or just wants to play a very entertaining game).
You can buy Cat Quest 3 now on Nintendo Switch, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X and Series S, Xbox One, and PC.
