League of the Lionhearted
Protect and explore Neko Land alongside the adorable PAWS team in Super Cat Tales: PAWS from indie developer Neutronized. PAWS, a prequel to Super Cat Tales 2, features the same retro-inspired platforming action fans of the series have come to expect. Lead the team to victory across worlds teeming with colorful and adorable creatures inspired by platforming classics. Uncover secret areas, complete daily quests and play addictive mini-games in your quest to thwart the nefarious Bandits once and for all.
Hell Hath No Furry
Super Cat Tales: PAWS begins one stormy evening with the PAWS team on their way back to headquarters. Recently, the team discovered an important data drive while on a secret mission. As their rescue truck races towards the base, logs block the road, forcing the team to stop. While the team works to clear the road, Pascal sets out on foot to deliver the data drive to their captain, entering the woods of World 1-1.
World 1-1 serves as a tutorial level, introducing players to the game’s super-simple controls. Tap and hold on either side of the screen to move throughout the level. To run, double-tap and hold in either direction. Pascal and friends can scale cliffs and walls by simply running towards the structure and automatically latching on. Finally, jump to other platforms by running off the edges of surfaces.
As you travel across each of the levels, you’ll come across two main types of collectibles: bells and coins. Each level contains three bells for players to discover. To progress to the next world, you’ll need to collect a certain number of bells before defeating that world’s fortress. Gather coins to purchase Helpers (creatures that provide special buffs) or accessories for your cats. You’ll also need coins to level up your fishing rod, which allows you to play the fishing spot mini-games located in secret areas.
After clearing the first few worlds, Pascal reaches the radio tower to signal for help. Unfortunately, he’s interrupted by one of the Bandits—a hulking, green lizard named Mesa—who steals the data drive and promptly flees the scene. Now empty-handed, Pascal returns to PAWS headquarters and briefs his commander on the situation. PAWS must work together to quickly retrieve the data drive from Mesa before he reaches the other Bandits.
A Brood of Bravery
Over the course of PAWS, you’ll unlock additional members of the team. Each cat possesses a unique ability that allows players to more easily explore levels. While the team consists of eight cats in total, players can only access four of the members at this time. Besides Pascal, these include Rose, Rigs and Mara. Pascal can climb better than the others, while Rose can crouch beneath stages and reach narrow passages. Rigs can perform an extra jump when landing on enemies and Mara can swim against strong currents. You can swap between cats at any time during the levels by tapping the cat icon and selecting a cat.
Once you unlock a new cat, you’ll need to revisit areas to retrieve previously inaccessible collectibles and unearth secret areas. While there isn’t an overabundance of hidden content, there’s plenty enough to keep completionists on the hunt.
In terms of hidden areas, each world sports a secret fishing hole mini-game with eight types of unique fish in each. Furthermore, players can catch different fish based on the time of day in which they’re playing—daylight (6am-6pm), sunset (6pm-8pm) and night (8pm-6am). They can also upgrade their rods twice (six times, once the game is finished), which allows them to extend the reach of their line. Players can also purchase the fishing cap accessory, which doubles the chance of catching a rare or golden fish. These fish reward players with coins for successfully reeling them in.
Classic Catnip
Platforming veterans will immediately recognize Super Cat Tales: PAWS’ Nintendo influences. The developers drew inspiration for their world maps from Super Mario Bros. 3, imbuing their layouts with the same simple, yet colorful, designs. Furthermore, a great deal of PAWS’ enemies sport designs modeled after Kirby’s adorable foes. That’s not to say that they’re copies. Nothing could be farther from the truth. PAWS’ enemies and worlds feel organic and unique to the Super Cat Tales universe, while still paying homage to its muses.
PAWS is a completely free-to-play game. Unfortunately, that also means players will encounter ads at the end of each level, as well as, after fainting. The ads I viewed were the least intrusive I’ve ever experienced, spanning ten seconds max. Those who wish to forgo this minor annoyance can pay the game’s full $4.99 price tag, which includes all unlockable items at half price.
Even though PAWS only currently contains two worlds, I’m eager to see what Neutronized has in store for its forthcoming updates. If past installments offer any clues to future content, players can expect not only more worlds, cats and boss battles but also holiday events and more mini-games. Me-wow!
