Game: The Last Cat in the Universe
Genre: Casual, Indie.
System: Nintendo Switch (also on Steam (Windows))
Developer|Publisher: Apamate Studio | Flynns Arcade
Age Rating: EU 3 | US Everyone
Price: US $6.99 | UK £6.15 | EU € 6,99
Release Date: October 29th, 2026
Review code provided with many thanks to Flynns Arcade.
The Last Cat in the Universe – Small Fluffy Responsibility
Flynns Arcade has built a reputation for publishing quirky little arcade games, but it’s always nice to see a publisher stretch its paws into something a little different. With The Last Cat in the Universe, we’re trading some of that traditional arcade action for a cosy, low-stress experience about looking after a kitten and mining the remains of a dying space station. It’s a bit of a change of direction, and one I’m happy to see.
Looking After The Last Cat
The premise is a little sad when you stop to think about it. Humanity has disappeared, a space station is slowly falling apart, and you’re an AI whose job is to look after the last surviving cat in the universe. No pressure, then! Your responsibilities include keeping the little feline fed, making sure the temperature is comfortable, maintaining the air supply and taking care of the kitty litter. Luckily, you don’t need a degree in space-station management to get by. Most tasks involve simply interacting with the relevant equipment and topping up resources when needed. The real meat of the experience, however, comes from mining. This is where you’ll spend most of your time, and it’s surprisingly addictive.
Zap, Collect, Upgrade, Repeat
Mining takes place on a grid of blocks, with a laser automatically blasting away at whatever happens to be in its path. Your job is to move it around using the analogue stick, clearing debris and collecting resources. It reminds me a little of those survivor-style games where your attacks happen automatically, leaving you free to concentrate on movement and positioning. Different blocks provide different resources, and some are tougher than others, requiring a bit more laser power to break through. Clearing as much of the grid as possible also helps you reach the deeper layers, where more goodies await.
Initially, your laser is about as threatening as a particularly grumpy torch. You can chip away at individual blocks, and with a bit of careful positioning, sometimes catch several at once. However, as you gather resources and return to the station, you can invest in upgrades that make a noticeable difference. These include increasing your laser’s power and reach, alongside helpful little additions such as robots that assist with mining and indicators that point out blocks you’ve missed. Before long, that feeble little zapper becomes a rather impressive piece of destructive equipment, capable of clearing large areas in a satisfying burst of laser fire. It’s a simple progression system, but it works. Each upgrade feels worthwhile, and seeing your mining efficiency improve gives you a reason to keep going. You’re also balancing your desire for better equipment against the need to keep your little friend comfortable and the station functioning. There’s no frantic clicking or demanding reflex challenge here. Instead, the game settles into a pleasant rhythm: head out, zap some blocks, gather resources, return to the station, upgrade your equipment and make sure the cat is happy. Then do it all again.
A Cosy Little Escape
Let’s be clear: The Last Cat in the Universe isn’t particularly challenging. There’s little pressure to perform, and the main incentive to improve your mining runs is beating your own records and reaching deeper levels. The game tracks your progress, giving you something to aim for if you enjoy trying to do a little better each time. Personally, I was perfectly happy with this approach. Even when a run wasn’t especially productive, I never felt particularly bothered. There’s something wonderfully stress-free about moving that laser around and watching the blocks disappear. It’s the sort of gameplay that lets your brain switch off for a while without leaving you completely disengaged. As you progress, you’ll also uncover snippets of dialogue and story about the station, its former inhabitants and what happened to humanity. There are fragments of a song to recover, too, helping bring the narrative together. I’ll admit that I was more interested in the mining than digging into every piece of story, but those who enjoy a little mystery alongside their incremental gameplay may get more out of it.
The visual presentation is simple but perfectly serviceable. The station uses straightforward pixel art, with enough detail to make it feel like a little place you’re gradually turning into a home. You can interact with various objects, open and close windows, and even switch the lights on and off. These touches aren’t essential, but they help give the station a little personality. The music does its job of supporting the relaxed atmosphere, although it wasn’t the main attraction for me. On Nintendo Switch, you can also use touchscreen controls around the station. I tended to favour the analogue stick while mining, but tapping things on the touchscreen when managing the hub felt natural enough. It’s a nice option to have.
Conclusion: Paws For Thought
The Last Cat in the Universe is a relatively short experience, designed to be completed in around two to three hours rather than keeping you trapped in an endless cycle of grinding. That suits it well. There’s a clear sense of progression, a story to uncover and a little cat who needs your help, all wrapped around a satisfying mining loop. It won’t be for everyone. If you want complex management systems, demanding challenges or lots of different gameplay mechanics, you may find it a little too repetitive. But if you’re after something uncomplicated that lets you unwind at your own pace, there’s plenty to like here.
Ultimately, The Last Cat in the Universe passes my cosy-game test. I enjoyed its simple, satisfying gameplay, the steady stream of upgrades and the relaxed pace. It might not set the universe alight, but it gave me a pleasant little place to spend a few hours. If you can make looking after a cat and blasting space debris this relaxing, I’d say that’s a job well done.
Final Verdict: I Like It.
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