Game: Cat Quest III
Genre: Action, RPG
System: Nintendo Switch/Switch 2 (also on Steam (Windows), Xbox and PlayStation)
Developer | Publisher: The Gentlebros | Kepler Interactive
Age Rating: EU 7 | US 10+
Price: US $19.99 | UK £17.99 | EU € 19,99
Release Date: August 8th, 2024
A review code was provided, with many thanks to Kepler Interactive.
Cat Quest III – A Purr-fect Pirate Adventure
The Cat Quest series has always been an underrated gem in the action RPG space, and now Cat Quest III sails in with more charm, polish, and puns than ever. Shifting to a pirate theme and expanding the game world while retaining the series’ accessible yet satisfying gameplay, this third entry feels like the biggest and most confident adventure yet.
Whether you’re a returning fan or a first-time adventurer, Cat Quest III makes sure you’re in for a meow-nificent time, with drop-in local co-op, satisfying loot systems, and a world full of secrets, silliness, and swashbuckling action.
Paws, Pirates, and Puns
The story sets sail in the Purribean, a vibrant archipelago filled with treasure, danger, and a surprising number of rodent pirates. You play as a feline privateer on a quest for the mythical Northern Star treasure, accompanied by a ghostly cat companion and pursued by the Pi-rats under the Pirate King’s command.
What shines about the plot is the tone, charming, comedic, and packed with cat puns that might make your eyes roll and your heart melt, depending on the mood you are in. There’s plenty of dialogue to enjoy, most of it delivered in short, digestible chunks that even younger players can follow. Parents playing with kids, be aware: this is definitely a game that invites you to put on your best (or worst) silly voices.
Choose Your Own Catventure
While there is a main quest to follow, Cat Quest III shines when it encourages exploration. The open-world design makes it far too easy to stray from your next objective and into an enticing side quest or dungeon. But that’s part of the magic, each diversion feels intentional, rewarding, and never bloated. Side quests are cleverly paced, with most wrapped up quickly enough to keep momentum going without ever feeling like filler.
One of the game’s strengths continues to be its well-balanced pacing. Whether you’re taking on pirate bounties, hunting buried treasure, or simply strolling through new towns, the game always feels like it’s nudging you toward something worth your time.
Combat That’s Easy to Love
Combat is fast, fluid, and simple enough for anyone to pick up. You’ve got a melee weapon, a ranged weapon, a spell slot, and a dodge, all easy to map and use. The responsiveness and clarity of the controls make it spot on for short sessions or couch co-op with someone new to gaming. There’s also a helpful difficulty option for players looking to dial up or down the challenge, along with generous save points that refill your health, helping to eliminate frustration.
But don’t let the simple controls fool you. Underneath is a robust loot and equipment system, with dozens of weapons, armour sets, and trinkets that each come with their own perks, and better still, affect your character’s appearance. Whether you’re building a melee tank or a magic-wielding sniper cat, there’s room for real experimentation.
All Aboard the Cat Ship
The biggest shake-up from previous entries is the addition of your very own customizable pirate ship. It’s not just a glorified menu, this ship is how you explore the seas, engage in naval combat, and traverse the Purribean’s many islands. Combat on the high seas is snappy and easy to grasp, and being able to summon your ship from land is a great quality-of-life touch. Exploration feels purposeful, never overwhelming, and always rewarding.
Cute, Cosy, and Cat-tastic
Visually, the game sticks to the hand-drawn 2.5D style that fans love, but layers in a pirate motif that adds charm to the vibrant overworld and moody dungeons. Lighting effects in darker areas are surprisingly strong for such a light-hearted game, and the sea shanty-inspired soundtrack fits the mood beautifully. Performance is smooth in both handheld and docked modes on Switch.
More to Discover with Free Updates
Since launch, Cat Quest III has added the free Tavern Tales update, which remixes boss battles with new challenges and exaggerated retellings, adds side quests and dungeons, and introduces new loot. A “Mew Game” mode adds difficulty modifiers for those seeking extra challenge, with rewards to match. These updates keep the game fresh, even after you’ve seen the credits roll.
Conclusion: a-meow-sing
Cat Quest III is everything a sequel should be, it builds on the past, expands the formula, and offers more ways to play. Whether you’re diving in solo or sharing the journey with a loved one in local co-op, it’s a joy from start to finish. It’s casual without being shallow, funny without being forced, and accessible without ever feeling watered down.
So hoist your sails, sharpen your claws, and set out on one of the most delightful adventures the high seas, and the RPG genre have to offer.
Final Verdict: Two Thumbs Up
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I’ve played all 3 Cat Quest games, my only complaint is that i wish they had more content. Haven’t played the free updates for Cat Quest 3, but thankfully they added some additional content because the base game was pretty bare bone.