Cat in the Box

91%
Game Brain Score Based on 330 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • atmosphere
Cat in the Box Game Cover
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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.

  • PC
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

91%
Audience ScoreBased on 330 reviews
story49 positive mentions
replayability3 negative mentions
  • The game features a captivating art style and excellent sound design that enhance the horror atmosphere.
  • The story is intriguing with multiple endings that encourage exploration and replayability.
  • The puzzles are engaging and the limited save system adds tension without being overly frustrating.
  • Chase sequences can be frustrating due to the character's speed and the need for precise movements.
  • The story can feel disjointed at times, with some plot points not fully explored or explained.
  • The controls can be awkward, especially during chase scenes, leading to potential frustration.
  • story124 mentions

    The game's story receives mixed reviews, with some players praising its intriguing plot twists and engaging atmosphere, while others criticize it for being nonsensical or lacking depth. Many appreciate the multiple endings that enhance replayability, though some feel that key story elements are underdeveloped or dropped. Overall, while the narrative has its flaws, it is often described as entertaining and well-crafted within the horror genre.

    • “The story is quite entertaining and manages to scare, culminating in an excellent plot twist.”
    • “An amazing RPG Maker horror game that has a deep and thoughtful story.”
    • “The little snippets of lore and item placement throughout the game are well crafted and create one of the best story experiences I have ever experienced.”
    • “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.”
    • “None of the angle stuff comes back and any extra lore found by exploration is next to meaningless to the story at large.”
  • gameplay49 mentions

    The gameplay of the reviewed games presents a mixed bag, with some titles offering engaging mechanics and atmospheric experiences, while others suffer from poor controls and frustrating design choices. Many players appreciate unique elements like limited saving and chase sequences, but these often lead to annoyance rather than enhancing the gameplay. Overall, while some games provide enjoyable exploration and puzzle-solving, others are hindered by clunky mechanics and vague objectives, resulting in a less satisfying experience.

    • “The quality of the graphics and gameplay is exceptional.”
    • “This game effectively uses sound design and its mechanics to create an isolated, foreboding atmosphere, and even up into the endgame, it continually pulled out new surprises and twists that never let me start to feel comfortable.”
    • “The gameplay mostly consists of exploring and puzzle-solving, with the occasional 'run away!!' section.”
    • “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.”
  • atmosphere42 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its ability to create a spooky and immersive experience, enhanced by effective sound design and beautiful art style. Reviewers note that it successfully maintains tension and dread without relying heavily on jump scares, with many appreciating the subtle changes in familiar environments that contribute to a sense of unease. Overall, the game is recognized for its compelling atmosphere that leaves a lasting impression on players.

    • “Genuinely a fantastic horror game, with very interesting lore and really good atmosphere!”
    • “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.”
    • “Although the atmosphere is there, there is no constant threat it feels.”
    • “The silence can create a gloomy/scary atmosphere but you would wish there was something there at least.”
    • “I understand that this is intended to be a neat effect to add to the atmosphere and also to get across the point that the main character is recording everything on a camera, but I strongly think there should be an option to remove or at least lessen the visibility of the filter because it mostly makes the atmosphere look less pleasing.”
  • graphics30 mentions

    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 effects, like the camcorder filter, for detracting from the overall aesthetic. Despite some technical issues, the game's visuals 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.”
    • “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.”
    • “Usually these types of games have to have some form of twist ending, since the graphics aren't all that scary (mostly), and they also usually have a good or a bad ending, but the endings in this game never feel good no matter which one you get.”
  • music26 mentions

    The music in the game is widely praised for its atmospheric quality, effectively enhancing the overall experience with a mix of eerie soundscapes and thematic tracks that fit the game's tone. Many reviewers highlight the soundtrack as a standout feature, contributing to the game's tension and immersion, while some note that the use of silence can be just as impactful as the music itself. Overall, the music is considered a strong point, elevating the game's aesthetic and emotional depth.

    • “With dark corners, random events, unnerving music, and even a few jump scares, this game is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat.”
    • “The atmosphere is relentlessly oppressive, the soundtrack is amazing and thematically appropriate, and the overall story is very interesting.”
    • “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.”
    • “Nails scares, music, ambience, and story.”
  • replayability8 mentions

    Overall, the game offers significant replayability due to its intricate details, multiple endings, and hidden easter eggs that enhance the experience upon subsequent playthroughs. While some players note that certain events are time-specific, the engaging mystery and atmosphere encourage exploration of all possible outcomes to fully grasp the story. Despite its short length, many find the replay value compelling enough to revisit the game multiple times.

    • “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.”
  • emotional5 mentions

    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.”
    • “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.”
  • stability4 mentions

    Overall, the game's stability is generally solid, with players noting minimal bugs or glitches, particularly those 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 intentional glitches add to the atmosphere, they can also be seen as frustrating by some players.

    • “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 the interact button doesn't work at times during the chase scene.”
    • “- Fake glitches and interface issues are not scary.”
  • grinding2 mentions

    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 more engaging and rewarding. This design choice contributes to a more immersive atmosphere, allowing players to appreciate subtle changes in the environment.

    • “Grinding in this game feels like an endless chore, with repetitive tasks that drain the enjoyment out of the experience.”
    • “The amount of grinding required to progress is overwhelming and makes the game feel more like a job than a fun pastime.”
    • “I found the grinding to be excessively tedious, often leading to frustration rather than a sense of accomplishment.”
  • character development2 mentions

    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.”
    • “There are missed opportunities for character growth, leaving the story feeling flat and unengaging.”
  • humor1 mentions

    The humor in the game is highlighted 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 laughing throughout.”
    • “I love how the dialogue is filled with witty one-liners that make every interaction enjoyable.”
  • optimization1 mentions

    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.

Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

5hMedian play time
5hAverage play time
5-5hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 1 analyzed playthroughs

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