Cat Quest 3 review: Pirate and cat puns, ahoy!

Cat Quest 3 review: Pirate and cat puns, ahoy!

As a seasoned gamer with a soft spot for anything feline, I must say that Cat Quest 3 has managed to impress me yet again. After my wife and I had a purr-fect time with the first two games, I was eagerly awaiting this third installment, and it did not disappoint.


A few years back, my wife and I decided to try a game called Cat Quest, which was reasonably priced on the eShop and seemed ideal for passing an afternoon or two since we both love cats. To our surprise, Cat Quest turned out to be quite impressive. It combined the fundamental elements of an action-RPG (repetitive combat, experience points, loot gathering, exploration) within an old-school style game map, and didn’t hold back on puns. Now we’ve moved on to Cat Quest 3, and the series has managed to expand upon its foundation without losing its kid-friendly, manageable essence.

Shiver me whiskers

Cat Quest 3 review: Pirate and cat puns, ahoy!

As a fervent admirer, I’m excitedly sharing my anticipation for Cat Quest 3, where the adventure unfolds on the vast open seas, in a realm dominated by swashbuckling pirates. Unlike any ordinary kitten, I possess the unique ability known as a “Seeker,” allowing me to unearth the rarest treasures concealed within this world. The fabled “North Star” turns out to be much more than folklore, intertwined with something that’s been subtly brewing since the first game. My mission is to battle, navigate, plunder, and unravel mysteries until my trusty companion Captain Cappy and I ascend to the pinnacle of the pirate hierarchy.

As an ardent fan, I can’t help but be thrilled about Cat Quest 3! It retains the charm of its predecessor, yet offers a wealth of new experiences and pirate-infused adventures. The gameplay seems to be centered around an expansive, nostalgic RPG world map, where exploration itself is filled with loot, foes, story developments, quests, and more – essentially transforming the journey between points of interest into the main event.

Gallery of rogues

Cat Quest 3 review: Pirate and cat puns, ahoy!

In Cat Quest 3, the side quests are intriguingly structured. While there are numerous smaller, independent quests, there’s also a secondary narrative thread running concurrently with the primary storyline. This secondary plot is presented as a series of wanted posters, featuring optional bosses that players can pursue. Pursuing these optional challenges not only offers significant financial rewards, but the game makes it clear that they play a role in achieving a “good” ending to some degree. However, what makes the wanted posters truly engaging isn’t just the prospect of unlocking a better ending; it’s the exciting and rewarding experiences along the way.

These leaders serve as a structural foundation for the entire game, acting not just as significant landmarks for players but also as essential components for character growth. Enhancing your game hero and their gear is a pivotal aspect of the game, and these bosses play a crucial role in this process by providing an organic progression. One key feature is that you earn substantial amounts of money from defeating them, which significantly simplifies leveling up your preferred equipment. Additionally, many areas of the map would remain undiscovered if you opted not to engage with them, giving the main path a sense of incompleteness or disjointedness.

Essentially, skipping the boss battles in Cat Quest 3 would have made the game more challenging and less enjoyable. Just like a spine supports a skeleton, these battles support the overall structure of the game, contributing to its pacing, storyline, difficulty level, power progression, and so on. While it’s possible to miss some of them and still have a good time, doing all the boss battles generally improves your gaming experience.

Set sail for XP

Cat Quest 3 review: Pirate and cat puns, ahoy!

As a gamer embarking on Cat Quest 3’s adventure, I’d say the pursuit of bosses generally gives the journey an authentic feel. However, there are instances where it becomes challenging to avoid the grind. The game’s map is designed in a manner reminiscent of Dragon Quest, so if you stray off course, you might encounter enemies that are significantly stronger and leave you flat on your back like a flattened lawn chair.

As a fan, I’ve found myself unexpectedly appreciating the ship combat in Cat Quest 3. The introduction of sailing and cannon battles into its easy-to-grasp controls adds an exciting layer to the gameplay. However, when faced with stronger opponents, it can feel a bit frustrating as your reflexes alone might not be enough to turn the tide. This is especially true when it’s unclear how my cat’s level and stats affect their ship’s capabilities. But once you surpass a certain power threshold, it’s smooth sailing from there, making quick work of the game’s challenges.

Cat Quest 3 review: Pirate and cat puns, ahoy!

Beyond the occasional challenging segments, Cat Quest 3 offers a charming, relaxed journey that underscores the wisdom behind its creation. It subtly hints at expansive future endeavors, which is intriguing given the series’ established penchant for diverse settings. The dialogue remains lighthearted and entertaining, while the number of hidden treasures and additional activities has significantly increased. This game embodies a successful formula, and as long as the series maintains this balance, there’s potential for Cat Quest 3 to serve as a launchpad for even more thrilling escapades.

On August 8, 2024, Cat Quest 3 will be released on Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and personal computers. I received a PC code from the publisher for review purposes.

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2024-08-06 17:27