Don't Kill the Cat

Cats are adorable, lovable, and cuddly creatures, but any owner will know that they can be downright pests sometimes. They get into everything, commit domestic crimes, and assert dominance wherever possible. Don't Kill the Cat is a VR game about that idea. However, a feline has invaded a prominent tech lab this time, and the player has to get them out of the facility.

So here you are with an arsenal of industrial-grade, high-tech equipment to test. Yet, a rogue feline keeps getting in the way of your experiments. Your job is to ensure you handle your assets properly and avoid a PR disaster seeing that the cat doesn't meet its demise, despite constantly getting in the way. This concept is brilliant, but we still need to play to see if Don't Kill the Cat is entertaining!

Arduous Tasks

Imagine getting a job at the nation's leading technology company, only to be assigned the task of ridding the facilities of a pesky cat. That's the premise of Don't Kill the Cat, where the player will strap on their VR headset and take control of the plethora of experimental lab gear to ensure it doesn't fry the feline. Shooing away a pet has never been such an intense job.

Don't Kill the Cat is a puzzle, arming players with an industrial laser pointer to lead their cat away from danger. You'll also have to seize control of other crazy technologies the cat gets into, creating a path that veers away from destruction and onto temporary safety. So how fun can this be when every level seemingly has players nervously on edge?

We'll note that Don't Kill the Cat is still in early access. But despite its current stage of development, some fundamental issues need to be examined. Mainly, VR is always a difficult thing to navigate. The game relies on the player's cognitive skills to succeed, handling the laser pointer and other assets to guide the cat away from danger. Those mechanics can get frustrating, as it feels nearly half the time selecting and using inventory is bugged.

The visuals feel elementary and could be improved to create a more immersive VR experience. But again, Don't Kill the Cat has the concept right, and it will not stop feline lovers from around the world from taking humor in saving their furry friend from destruction. Let's hope there's some significant improvement to gameplay upon the title's full release.

Kitty Come Home

Players get the feeling that Don't Kill the Cat was a fantastic idea when the developers were conceptualizing a cute, entertaining game for a VR headset. However, the delivery has a lot to be desired. It's got that Portal vibe with the visuals, theme, and puzzle mechanics, yet the follies of VR seem to hold any potential for this title back.

Round-Up - Pros & Cons

Pros:

• A fun concept from cat ownership realities
• Plenty of diverse puzzles to enjoy
• Lots of entertaining puns throughout

Cons:

• Currently very unpolished
• Inventory bugs hinder the enjoyment
• Gameplay gets frustrating with VR-based controls