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"Cat in the Box" is a horror adventure game where you help a girl explore a haunted mansion, formerly owned by a cult, and evade otherworldly entities. Armed with various tools and your wits, you'll need to uncover the mansion's secrets and find a way out. As you delve deeper, you'll encounter a mysterious figure who may aid you in your escape.

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91%
Audience ScoreBased on 371 reviews
story54 positive mentions
replayability3 negative mentions

  • The game features a compelling atmosphere and well-written story that keeps players engaged throughout.
  • The main character is relatable and adds depth to the narrative, enhancing the overall experience.
  • Multiple endings and hidden secrets encourage replayability, making it a rewarding experience for players.
  • The chase sequences can be frustrating due to clunky controls and the need for precise timing, which may lead to repeated deaths.
  • Limited save options can create tension but may also lead to frustration if players lose progress unexpectedly.
  • Some puzzles are overly simplistic, which may detract from the overall challenge of the game.
  • story
    133 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's story is a mixed bag, with many players praising its intriguing plot, well-executed twists, and atmospheric horror elements, while others criticize it for being nonsensical or lacking depth. Multiple endings add replay value and complexity, but some feel that the narrative can be overshadowed by gameplay mechanics and pacing issues. Overall, the story is generally regarded as engaging and creative, though opinions vary on its execution and coherence.

    • “The story is also very well written and I love the twist that comes towards the end of the game.”
    • “The atmosphere, the story, and the tension it builds are unmatched!”
    • “The story is quite entertaining and manages to scare, culminating in an excellent plot twist.”
    • “On a second note, the story is a mess.”
    • “The cult lore barely ties back to the girl's story and feels more like just nonsense that really doesn't matter except oooooo demon house.”
    • “The story is nothing special and actually kind of not present.”
  • gameplay
    51 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of the game is a mixed bag, featuring a unique save mechanic that, while creative, is often criticized for being overly generous and undermining tension. Players appreciate the blend of exploration, puzzle-solving, and chase sequences, though some find the controls and certain mechanics frustrating. Overall, the gameplay is engaging and atmospheric, but it suffers from inconsistencies and design choices that detract from the experience.

    • “The gameplay mostly consists of exploring and puzzle-solving, with the occasional 'run away!!' section.”
    • “What is even better is that the gameplay and level design itself is actually pretty good.”
    • “The main character feels like an actual person, her reactions make sense and feel natural, and her fear is very well conveyed through the gameplay.”
    • “The gameplay was poorly designed, and nothing really stood out: vague story, uninteresting music, shoddy translation.”
    • “The controls are so bad it ruins the gameplay.”
    • “The main issue lies in the fact that you can’t save whenever you want to, which will put pressure on your gameplay.”
  • atmosphere
    48 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere in "Cat in the Box" is widely praised for its eerie and unsettling qualities, effectively immersing players in a creepy, isolated environment that enhances the horror experience. Reviewers highlight the game's strong sound design, art style, and the ability to maintain tension without relying heavily on jump scares, creating a memorable and oppressive ambiance. Overall, the game stands out in the RPG Maker horror genre for its captivating atmosphere and engaging storytelling.

    • “The atmosphere, the story, and the tension it builds are unmatched!”
    • “Genuinely a fantastic horror game, with very interesting lore and really good atmosphere!”
    • “The puzzles are well-done and the design is memorable; the house you’re trapped in has a squalid atmosphere that’s eerie and off-putting.”
    • “The atmosphere is relentlessly oppressive, the soundtrack is amazing & thematically appropriate, and the overall story is very interesting.”
    • “The actual horror lies in the atmosphere the game creates using small deviations in already-visited places: small things sometimes change in a room here and there, sometimes there is even a slight change on the title screen that is barely noticeable.”
  • graphics
    31 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, the graphics of the game receive a mixed but generally positive reception. Many players appreciate the unique art style and atmospheric visuals, which effectively enhance the horror experience, while some criticize certain design choices, such as the camcorder filter that detracts from the overall aesthetic. Despite some technical issues, the game's graphics are often described as charming and well-executed, particularly for an RPG Maker title.

    • “The atmosphere is dreary yet somehow pretty, probably due to how beautiful the art style is.”
    • “The quality of the graphics and gameplay is exceptional.”
    • “Among the sea of countless RPG Maker horror games, this one in my opinion stands out with its great visuals, scary atmosphere, mind-bending story, and moments that made me truly terrified.”
    • “Story was okay but gameplay, poor controls and very bad graphics (the camera filter made everything much worse) made it not very enjoyable to play.”
    • “The solid sound design more than makes up for the basic graphics, and the story doesn't overstay its welcome or become a distraction from the atmosphere and the spooks.”
    • “There is a weird lined lens to the game the entire time you are playing, intended to indicate that you are recording, but in my opinion it made the game look really gritty and much uglier.”
  • music
    27 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game has received largely positive feedback, with many reviewers praising its ability to enhance the atmosphere and evoke emotions, ranging from eerie tension to immersive engagement. The soundtrack is described as thematically appropriate and well-composed, contributing significantly to the overall experience, although some noted inconsistencies in quality. Overall, the music and sound effects effectively complement the game's ambiance, making it a standout feature for many players.

    • “The atmosphere is relentlessly oppressive, the soundtrack is amazing & thematically appropriate, and the overall story is very interesting.”
    • “With dark corners, random events, unnerving music and even a few jumpscares, this game is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat.”
    • “The music is phenomenal, there are a ton of secrets in the game (most of which have not been discovered).”
    • “The game's sparing use of music was also a welcome addition, as sometimes silence is more unsettling than a violin played badly.”
    • “Even though it only takes you 2 (almost 3 if you know what you are doing) hours to beat, overall I like the experience (and the main menu music of course) that I got from this game.”
    • “Sound/music”
  • replayability
    8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game offers significant replayability due to its intricate details, hidden easter eggs, and multiple endings that enhance the overall experience. Players are encouraged to explore different choices and revisit the game to fully grasp its narrative depth and uncover all secrets. While some reviews note that certain events are time-specific, the overall consensus is that the game's engaging mystery and atmosphere make it worth replaying.

    • “The game is entertaining and offers a lot of replayability, as it has many details and options that may go unnoticed in the first playthrough.”
    • “This game has such an addicting mystery to figure out what is happening, which contributes greatly to its replay value to discover all the easter eggs hidden in it, ranging from references to other games to what could be considered hidden endings.”
    • “I haven't played many RPG Maker games, but I am glad that the few that I have played have been as great as 'Cat in the Box.' The game is pretty short but very interesting to see through. There is not much replayability as the only 'events' that can happen in the game can only occur at certain times. There are some amazing easter eggs, and depending on your choices, you can see most of the endings with a save right before the final room. I would highly recommend you see those endings to understand this game better.”
    • “I find too frequently that multiple endings are simply a way to add cheap replay value and don't add much to story comprehension, but I truly believe that you must experience all the endings in order to fully understand this game.”
    • “The gameplay itself is as simplistic as one might expect, but the atmosphere, story, music, replay value, etc. are all top-notch.”
  • emotional
    5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players find the emotional depth of the game compelling, with many expressing that it evokes strong feelings, including sadness and tension, throughout the experience. The well-crafted story and immersive atmosphere contribute to a profound emotional investment, making it stand out among other horror games. Overall, the combination of engaging narrative and effective sound design enhances the emotional impact, leaving a lasting impression on players.

    • “I love RPG Maker horror games that make me want to cry at all points of the game, yeah!”
    • “I will keep this section short to avoid spoilers, but the story does not have any cheap shots or take any logic shortcuts and is well worth your time and emotional investment.”
    • “I fell in love with this game, a short but thrilling experience with scenes and an ending that made me feel something I never get from other horror games.”
  • stability
    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, the game's stability is generally solid, with players noting a lack of significant bugs or glitches, aside from intentional ones designed to enhance the horror experience. However, some users reported occasional issues with the interact button during critical moments, which detracted from the gameplay. While the use of fake glitches was appreciated by some for their novelty, others found them frustrating and disruptive to the overall experience.

    • “The concept is good and the game functions well, but the irritating protagonist and the dev's love of easter eggs and fake-out pseudo-glitches really ruin the experience.”
    • “Good game, really sells the horror ambience very well, but the glitches (I'm guessing) used to hide the loading screen can be distracting and catch you off guard sometimes. Additionally, the interact button doesn't work at times during the chase scene.”
    • “- Fake glitches and interface issues are not scary.”
  • grinding
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    While some players find certain chase sequences to be tedious and requiring precise timing, the overall experience is enhanced by a well-connected map that minimizes backtracking, making exploration feel rewarding and immersive. This design choice helps mitigate the grind often associated with RPGs, allowing players to engage more deeply with the game's environment.

    • “Grinding in this game feels like an endless chore, with repetitive tasks that drain the fun out of the experience.”
    • “The grind is so excessive that it overshadows the story and character development, making it hard to stay engaged.”
    • “I found myself stuck in a loop of grinding for hours, which made the game feel more like a job than a source of entertainment.”
  • character development
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development in the game is noted for its solid design, though it primarily focuses on a single character. Reviewers appreciate the fresh experience brought by new mechanics and story elements, which contribute to sustained engagement throughout gameplay.

    • “This game brings several new things to the table between mechanics, story, and character design in such a way that it was a fresh experience and kept me engaged the entire time I played it.”
    • “Character design is fine, but it's just one character anyway.”
    • “The character development feels shallow and lacks depth, making it hard to connect with the protagonist.”
    • “I expected more growth and complexity from the characters, but they remained one-dimensional throughout the game.”
  • humor
    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is largely driven by the main character, who is both funny and relatable, adding a lighthearted touch to the overall experience.

    • “The main character is funny and relatable.”
    • “The humor in the game is clever and keeps you engaged.”
    • “I found myself laughing out loud at the witty dialogue and hilarious situations.”
  • optimization
    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some users praising its graphics and smooth performance, while others report issues such as frame rate drops and long loading times. Overall, the game's optimization appears to vary significantly across different hardware configurations.

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5h Median play time
5h Average play time
5-5h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 1 analyzed playthroughs
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