Pix the Cat

A classic arcade puzzler with gameplay compounded by a tremendous amount of scope for mastery and blistering retro aesthetics, Pix the Cat is one of the most essential pressure-puzzlers that you can buy on PlayStation right now.

78%Game Brain Score

gameplay, music

story, replayability

78% User Score Based on 247 reviews

Critic Score 79%Based on 3 reviews

Platforms

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About

"Pix the Cat is an intense arcade game that challenges your reflexes and wits, with two game modes: Arcade and Nostalgia. In Arcade mode, race through digital levels to a rhythmic beat, while in Nostalgia mode, explore an adventure filled with surprises across 70 levels. Compete against friends and the world to achieve the highest score."

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

78%

Audience ScoreBased on 247 reviews

gameplay20 positive mentions

story3 negative mentions

The game features stunning visuals and a charming art style that enhances the overall experience.
The soundtrack is catchy and enjoyable, adding to the fun and engaging gameplay.
Pix the Cat offers a variety of game modes, including arcade and puzzle elements, making it a versatile and addictive title.

The controls can be unresponsive and slippery, leading to frustrating gameplay experiences.
The game can feel repetitive due to the need to replay levels to unlock new content.
Some players have reported input lag, particularly in the PC version, which detracts from the overall enjoyment.

gameplay
58 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
34%
60%
5%
The gameplay of "Pix the Cat" is a blend of classic mechanics from games like Pac-Man and Snake, offering a mix of addictive arcade action and puzzle-solving elements. While many players appreciate the vibrant graphics and engaging sound design, some find the gameplay repetitive and punishing, particularly due to its reliance on tight timing and memorization. Overall, the game is praised for its variety of modes and polished execution, though opinions vary on its long-term appeal and depth.
- “The gameplay is very entertaining and addicting.”
- “Pix the cat doesn't disappoint with its addictive gameplay and a surprising variety of modes that change up the formula enough for each one to feel like a meaty experience.”
- “Be it the high level of entertainment, great replay value, varied, yet equally fun gameplay styles, flawless controls, vibrant graphics, lively audio, or immense attention to detail, Pix the Cat is simply one of the best arcade experiences of this year.”
- “However, the gameplay itself is a bit shallow.”
- “It's a fun twist on Pac-Man and Snake, but the core arcade gameplay mode's 'play this level until you've mastered it to unlock the next one' gets really tedious after... two levels.”
- “The game is fun, but I would try to catch it at a reduced price as the core mechanic will get old after hours of play.”
music
44 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
55%
39%
7%
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many users praising its catchy and upbeat soundtracks that enhance the overall gaming experience. The electronic and arcade-style tracks are described as "bangers" and "absolute bops," contributing to the game's vibrant atmosphere and engaging gameplay. Additionally, the sound effects and announcer voices complement the music well, creating a lively and immersive environment.
- “The music is fantastic and enjoyable to listen to.”
- “Solid arcade style game with a thumping electronic soundtrack and visuals.”
- “Crazy multicolored squares light up in rhythmic sequence like some kind of insane disco dancefloor set to hyperspeed, all the while the heavy and bass-y beats of Xavier Thiry's soundtrack pulsate in your eardrums.”
- “The soundtrack is cute, but once you get into the game, it turns a bit more upbeat as the announcer gets overly excited with a slight violent streak.”
- “Only the music for the arena mode is not a style I like, but the musician has done a great job here also.”
- “If you like arcade-type games with lots of color and a soundtrack that goes well with the game, I recommend getting this, but keep in mind that there is not much you can do in this game; only a few game modes are available.”
graphics
43 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
49%
44%
7%
The graphics of the game have received widespread acclaim for their vibrant, charming, and cartoonish art style, which enhances the overall experience. Many reviewers noted the fluid animations and attention to detail, contributing to a captivating aesthetic that complements the gameplay. However, some critiques mention that the graphics may overshadow the simplicity of the game's premise, leading to a mixed reception regarding their impact on the overall experience.
- “Beautiful graphics and music.”
- “Adorable art, fluid animation, and trippy visuals help make the game that bit more captivating and charming.”
- “Retro, yet new, pix the cat has a killer soundtrack with stunning visuals.”
- “They put far too much effort into the graphics for a limited, simple premise game and this takes away from the experience rather than adding anything.”
- “If you take away all of the graphics, sounds, animation, etc., what you have is a rudimentary 'snakes' game with unforgivably sloppy controls - controls so bad that the player avatar always misses his turn by one game square.”
- “The only problem I had is the 'fever mode', which I couldn't see any benefit from going into and the inverted graphics disoriented me and made it harder to figure out what I was going for.”
humor
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is widely praised, with players finding it hilarious and enjoyable, especially in local co-op and multiplayer modes. The gameplay is described as funny and addictive, complemented by a quirky soundtrack and amusing announcer voices that enhance the overall experience. Overall, the game delivers a fun and lighthearted atmosphere that keeps players entertained.
- “This game is hilarious fun and the local co-op mode is an absolute blast.”
- “There’s also a multiplayer mode that I haven’t gotten to try, but it looks hilarious.”
- “Good time killer, funny gameplay, a lot of bonuses and stuff!”
story
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
33%
50%
The game's story aspect is largely criticized for its lack of depth and clarity, with players noting that there is no substantial narrative present. While there is a nostalgic mode with distinct visuals and audio, it does not provide a coherent story, leaving players to speculate about the plot based on unlockable stages. Overall, the storytelling is minimal and often feels absent.
- “From a turn-based puzzle game mode to a more standard story mode called Nostalgia, which features an entirely different visual and audio style that is incredibly well done in its own right.”
- “Also, no story to speak of.”
- “I haven't found a story, but I'm assuming the unlockable stage has it.”
- “It never tells you the story, but I think I know what it's about.”
replayability
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
75%
Overall, the game offers high replayability through its engaging gameplay styles, competitive score challenges, and features like ghost mode for practicing past runs. While some modes may lack depth, the combination of varied experiences and the ability to compete with friends enhances its replay value significantly.
- “Be it the high level of entertainment, great replay value, varied, yet equally fun gameplay styles, flawless controls, vibrant graphics, lively audio, or immense attention to detail, 'Pix the Cat' is simply one of the best arcade experiences of this year.”
- “Lots of replayability, especially if you're going to compete against your friends' scores.”
- “With the addition of a ghost mode to play against your own past runs or runs of the developer, there's a whole plethora of ways to practice and continue bettering your score for what is the most endlessly replayable game around.”
- “Nostalgia mode is like a mix of the other two; the randomized eggs improve replayability, but the levels aren't interesting enough to replay.”
- “The game lacks meaningful choices, making each playthrough feel repetitive and dull.”
- “Once you've completed the main story, there's little incentive to dive back in, as the side quests feel like a chore rather than an adventure.”
grinding
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and repetitive, with significant content locked behind demanding score requirements. The gameplay, while initially enjoyable, quickly becomes frustrating as players are forced to master levels before progressing, leading to a lack of motivation to continue. Overall, the grinding detracts from the experience, making it feel more like a chore than fun.
- “The combination of all of these factors hitting at once feels like complete shit, especially given how much content is locked behind grindy score demands.”
- “Progressing in the game is tedious and repetitive, with no rewarding abilities to unlock.”
- “The core gameplay mode's 'play this level until you've mastered it to unlock the next one' gets really tedious after just two levels.”
optimization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
150%
The game is praised for its flawless performance and engaging gameplay that encourages replayability, with no noticeable performance issues reported. However, players should be cautious of its flashy visuals, particularly in the main arcade mode, which may affect those prone to seizures. Overall, the optimization contributes positively to the gaming experience.
- “It basically aims for the most flawless performance possible, and it's incredibly fun how a relatively short game can evoke that competitive 'I'll do better this time' feeling.”
- “I have not noticed any performance problems; the game looks good. (Seizure-prone players, keep in mind it's relatively flashy, especially in the main arcade mode.) I also liked the soundtrack.”
- “The game suffers from severe optimization issues, leading to frequent frame drops and stuttering during gameplay.”
- “Despite the interesting concept, the poor optimization makes it nearly unplayable on lower-end systems.”
- “I experienced constant lag and long loading times, which really detracted from the overall experience.”
emotional
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the emotional aspect of "pix'n love rush" to be heartwarming, as it evokes nostalgia and joy from its long-standing presence and engaging gameplay, celebrating its retro-remix style while delivering a fun and challenging experience.
- “I've played Pix'n Love Rush since it came out on iOS nearly 10 years ago, so seeing it still around and thriving with a really fun, content-filled, challenging game that maintains the retro-remix style of the series is heartwarming.”
character development
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviewers highlight that the engaging colors, fun music, and appealing character design contribute to a vibrant and immersive character development experience, making the game a worthwhile investment.
stability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Users report that the game demonstrates strong stability, running smoothly on Linux and even on older hardware, such as a 2010 laptop, with minor adjustments to settings.
- “It runs on Linux and even performs great on my 2010 laptop with some settings adjusted.”
- “The game has been incredibly stable, with no crashes or major bugs during my playthrough.”
- “I've experienced smooth gameplay throughout, with consistent frame rates and no significant lag.”
atmosphere
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
300%
The atmosphere enhances the gameplay without being intrusive, contributing positively to the overall experience.
- “It doesn't get in the way of the gameplay, but it definitely adds to the overall atmosphere.”
- “The immersive environment really pulls you in, creating a captivating atmosphere that enhances the experience.”
- “The sound design and visuals work together beautifully to create a haunting atmosphere that lingers long after playing.”
- “The atmosphere feels flat and uninspired, lacking the depth needed to immerse players.”
- “Despite the game's potential, the atmosphere is dull and fails to evoke any real emotion.”
- “The environments are lifeless, making it hard to feel connected to the game's world.”