Life Through a Cat’s Eyes: Copycat Review

Copycat Review: Seeing the World Through a Cat’s Eyes

I’m always on the lookout for games that feature our feline friends in some form. Usually, that means adopting or caring for a cat in games like The Sims or Stardew Valley. Copycat, however, flips the script: for the first time, I played as a cat. Inevitably, comparisons to Stray will come up—after all, both games feature a cat protagonist—but beyond that surface similarity, the experiences couldn’t be more different.

Copycat is a narrative-driven game with a story that’s emotionally brutal in ways I rarely see in video games. You play as a shelter cat adopted by an elderly woman named Olive, who names you Dawn. You explore her home, get comfortable in your new life, and slowly form a bond with your human companion. And then, everything falls apart. Dawn ends up back on the streets, alone. The humans in the game are flawed and struggling, and as a cat, you’re powerless to influence their mistakes. Some characters will frustrate you to the point of fury—there’s no physical abuse, but neglect and casual cruelty toward pets are portrayed with stark realism.

But it’s not all gloom. Copycat captures the small joys of being a cat with delightful humor and mischief. Every knocked-over object, stolen morsel of food, or hidden cardboard box is narrated like a nature documentary, a cheeky nod to The Stanley Parable meets National Geographic. These moments of playfulness are elevated by immersive gameplay: holding Y to purr in a moment of comfort, seeing Dawn’s thoughts appear as floating text, or feeling the gentle rumble of your controller—all of it feels meaningful. One line, “I didn’t know I could still purr,” had me blinking back tears, recalling my own cats and the simple joys they bring.

Exploration is central to the experience. Roaming Olive’s house and later the surrounding neighborhood from a cat’s-eye view makes even mundane objects captivating. Watching other humans navigate their lives adds depth, and sneaking into a cardboard box instantly reminded me of the hours my own cats have spent doing the same.

The game also uses dream sequences to enhance the narrative. Early on, Dawn dreams of being a giant panther hunting in the savannah; later dreams grow troubled, reflecting fear and heartache. Mini-games—like chasing a feather toy or hunting for dinner—are simple but help drive the story, keeping tension high without ever feeling unfair. There are also a few chase sequences, quick-time events, and a stealth segment with real consequences, all of which add variety to gameplay. My only critique is that choices rarely have a long-term impact, and the ending felt somewhat unsatisfying—but perhaps that ambiguity is intentional, leaving you to ponder the story long after the credits roll.

What impresses me most is that Copycat is the debut game from Spoonful of Wonder, a two-person team who happen to be a couple. Every aspect of the game—music, voice acting, writing, level design—feels polished and thoughtful. Most importantly, the game has heart. It teaches empathy for both our animal companions and the flawed humans around us, reminding us that everyone craves family and belonging.

Copycat isn’t just a game about being a cat—it’s a profound meditation on life, love, and the connections that make it all worthwhile.

If you like this review and want to see more, you can click here.  My snapchat is Cara_lynn97. Twitter and Instagram are the same. I stream on twitch multiple days a week! Be sure to follow me to see the live playthroughs of games and anything else I might do and post online.