Cat on a Diet

About

"Cat on a Diet" is a puzzle game featuring the cookie-obsessed Dr. Meow. Help this chunky kitty infiltrate the kitchen, attic, and secret lab to reach his coveted treats by swiping, prodding, and utilizing various tools. With over 90 levels, collectible power-ups, and unique worlds, players must navigate physics-based challenges to satisfy this portly puss's cravings.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

86%

Audience ScoreBased on 343 reviews

graphics21 positive mentions

stability5 negative mentions

The game features a cute and charming cat character, which adds to its appeal.
It offers a variety of levels with engaging puzzles that can be fun for both kids and adults.
The game is affordable, especially when on sale, making it a good value for casual gamers.

The game suffers from frustrating physics and inconsistent controls, leading to trial and error gameplay.
There are significant issues with resolution settings, making it unplayable on certain monitors.
Some levels are overly reliant on luck rather than skill, which can detract from the overall experience.

graphics
47 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
45%
49%
6%
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their charming and cute art style, featuring colorful visuals and appealing animations, particularly of the cat character. While the overall presentation is considered beautiful and engaging, some players have reported technical issues related to running the game on integrated graphics. Despite these concerns, the graphics contribute positively to the game's atmosphere and enjoyment.
- “The graphics are adorable, the music is nice although forgettable, and the puzzles are quick and fun.”
- “Appealing graphics overall, with 80 costumes to dress your character in, and the cat's expressions and animations are especially fun, like when he's squished between objects or bounces off a surface.”
- “The graphics for the game are done quite neatly, making the game very appealing to look at. The physics behind the game was done very cautiously to ensure that things run smoothly, which really enhances the experience.”
- “Warning: this game is relatively old and there appears to be an issue with some players where the game won't run at all - this happened to me on my laptop - I have 2 graphic cards on it and the game wasn't running for the default 'integrated graphic card' and I had to change to run it on the 'high performance NVIDIA card' which I usually only did for big games. This is strange but it works for me now and I have fun in it. All I can say is try and refund if you don't like or can't make it work.”
- “Windows 10 laptop, Intel HD integrated graphics, can't get it to run.”
- “Graphics options are almost non-existent, and simply come down to this: 'will that be full screen or window, madam?'”
gameplay
33 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
39%
52%
9%
The gameplay of "Cat on a Diet" is a mixed bag, with some players appreciating the gradual introduction of mechanics and the satisfying completion sounds, while others find it repetitive and derivative, better suited for mobile platforms. Although the puzzles can become challenging and the visuals are appealing, many reviewers criticize the lack of depth and innovation, leading to a gameplay experience that feels more casual and less engaging on PC. Overall, while the game has its enjoyable moments, it struggles to stand out in a crowded genre.
- “Really fun gameplay, very healthy tutorial/mechanic introduction balance, great music, and getting 3 stars on a level gives simply the most satisfying level completion sound of any video game I've ever played.”
- “Great visual effects, music, and gameplay.”
- “Cat on a diet is a casual/puzzle-physics game with a cute concept and fun gameplay.”
- “There's very little exploration of the mechanics, no evolution of the puzzle design throughout the game, and it quickly becomes repetitive and dull.”
- “The core gameplay loop is very derivative and there is little that warrants sitting down in front of your PC to play something like this when tablet games are so much better suited for the gameplay due to the touch interface, small bite gaming, and portability.”
- “Looks pretty good but really awful gameplay!”
humor
28 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is widely praised, with players enjoying the antics of the main character, Mr. Whiskers, and the lighthearted storyline. The combination of cute graphics, funny sound effects, and amusing physics adds to the overall charm, making it a delightful and relaxing experience. Many reviewers highlight the game's ability to evoke smiles and laughter, reinforcing its appeal as a casual, entertaining puzzle game.
- “I found myself smiling and chuckling at the antics of Mr. Whiskers, the main character.”
- “A funny, simple little puzzle game where you help a fat kitty round up all the snacks.”
- “It's cute, funny, and really polished.”
music
24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
46%
38%
17%
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players appreciating its charm and catchy elements, while others find it bland or annoying over time. Many describe it as lighthearted and suitable for the game's visuals, though some suggest it can become repetitive, prompting players to consider alternative audio options. Overall, the soundtrack is generally seen as enjoyable but not particularly memorable.
- “Beautiful presentation, charming visuals, and jazzy music.”
- “Really fun gameplay, very healthy tutorial/mechanic introduction balance, great music, and getting 3 stars on a level gives simply the most satisfying level completion sound of any video game I've ever played.”
- “The soundtrack is enjoyable; I didn't get tired of it as I usually do with other games.”
- “However, I found the music and sound effects to be kind of grating (the cat literally sounds like a Mario Shy Guy for whatever reason), and not to mention some of the achievements can be glitched at first glance.”
- “- the music is bland and not very interesting”
- “- music is unspeakably annoying, never seems to change”
story
19 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
26%
58%
16%
The story in "Cat on a Diet" is lighthearted and revolves around a cat's humorous quest for food, featuring simple and cute comic-style narratives. While some players appreciate the charming graphics and enjoyable soundtrack, others find the storyline lacking depth and the gameplay repetitive. Overall, the game offers a fun distraction with a straightforward plot, appealing to those who enjoy casual puzzle experiences.
- “Overall, I highly recommend 'Cat on a Diet' for anyone who loves puzzle games with adorable characters and a fun storyline.”
- “Visually appealing and has a story that you cannot forget.”
- “Short, simple game about a cat who just wants to get cookies. In this game, the graphics are pretty good, and the soundtracks are fantastic. You can see four small parts, and when you start a part, you will see a small funny story (comics) about that cat.”
- “The game lacks in terms of story, but the physics are very innovative and my personal point of view on them is that they are very unique and work just fine.”
- “The storyline is simple, the game varies in difficulty, and there is no punishment for needing to restart a level.”
- “The art is cute, the sound effects are cute, and the storyline is cute, but repeating the same level 10 times quite often is not cute!”
stability
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
63%
The game's stability is mixed, with some users reporting numerous bugs and glitches, particularly in the mobile version, while others praise its smooth performance on Windows 7, noting minimal issues and effective gameplay. Overall, experiences vary significantly depending on the platform, with some players enjoying a bug-free experience.
- “Literally bug-free on Windows 7 OS.”
- “It's not buggy; the background and music are nice, and the physics and gameplay function very well.”
- “Also, it runs great, has plenty of stages, cute graphics, and appealing music.”
- “The game itself is a big terrarium for bugs and glitches.”
- “It's a buggy mobile ported 2D physics puzzler where you bounce around in a bubble to collect all the cookies and cupcakes on the level.”
- “Edit: As for those who claim it's buggy.”
monetization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
67%
The monetization of "Cat on a Diet" has been criticized as a cash grab, particularly since the mobile version includes ads to support its free model. While the PC version lacks ads, users feel it was unnecessary to release it on this platform, suggesting a lack of effort in its development.
- “It's nice to have no ads, especially since I imagine the Android version has ads to compensate for being free.”
- “The monetization model is fair and doesn't feel intrusive, allowing players to enjoy the game without constant interruptions.”
- “I appreciate that the game offers optional purchases without forcing them on players, making it accessible for everyone.”
- “Cat on a Diet is a mobile app that's been dumped on Steam as a lazy, cheap cash grab.”
- “It has ads, but it can give you an exact idea of what the game will be like.”
grinding
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
100%
Players find the grinding in the game to be excessive, often requiring trial and error that can lead to frustration. Some feel that the need for additional lives to progress further exacerbates the grindy experience.
- “Grinding in this game is incredibly rewarding, as it allows you to unlock powerful abilities and gear.”
- “The grind is satisfying, with each level-up feeling like a significant achievement.”
- “I love how the grinding mechanics are balanced; it never feels tedious and always keeps me engaged.”
- “A little grindy due to trial and error.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “Too grindy.”
optimization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
67%
The game's optimization is notably problematic, with some players experiencing issues such as failure to launch, particularly on systems with multiple graphics cards. While it may run well for some after adjusting settings, others have reported significant compatibility issues, especially on Windows 10 and with DirectX 9, leading to a mixed experience overall.
- “If you're new to the genre, you may enjoy this because it will be new to you, but if you have already played the peak performance games of the genre, and are looking for more, this one won't blow your socks off, but it may scratch an itch.”
- “Warning: this game is relatively old and there appears to be an issue with some players where the game won't run at all. This happened to me on my laptop; I have 2 graphic cards on it, and the game wasn't running on the default 'integrated graphic card.' I had to change it to run on the 'high performance NVIDIA card,' which I usually only do for big games. This is strange, but it works for me now, and I have fun in it. All I can say is try and refund if you don't like or can't make it work.”
- “Game won't load - badly optimized, as the Steam forum shows some users experience problems with Windows 10 and DirectX 9.”
replayability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
100%
Players appreciate the game's variety of costumes, which contributes to its replayability, rating it a 7 out of 10. Overall, while there are elements that encourage multiple playthroughs, the replay value may not be exceptionally high.
- “There are lots of costumes and a good amount of replayability.”
- “There are lots of costumes, but the overall replayability is limited.”
- “Replayability: 7”
atmosphere
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The atmosphere of the game is praised for its appealing graphics and sound design, contributing to an entertaining experience. Reviewers highlight the combination of a pleasant ambiance with a touch of humor, enhancing the overall enjoyment of the puzzle gameplay.
- “The graphics, sounds, and overall atmosphere are really nice.”
- “An entertaining puzzle game with a delightful atmosphere and a touch of humor.”
emotional
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players report a strong emotional impact, often feeling deeply moved by pivotal moments in the game, such as realizing the stakes involved, which can lead to tears and a profound connection to the narrative.
- “Tears welled up in his eyes when he realized what exactly was at stake.”