Purrgatory
- August 22, 2021
- Niv Heo
- 5h median play time
A slice-of-death visual novel about making friends, cracking cat puns, and waiting for eternity to pass.
Reviews
- story610 mentions
- 58 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The game's story is widely praised for its emotional depth, charming characters, and engaging narrative, often described as heartwarming and bittersweet. Players appreciate the unique backstories of each character, the interactive elements that allow for personal investment in the story, and the overall humor and puns that enhance the experience. Despite its simplicity and relatively short playtime, the storytelling is considered impactful, making it a standout free game in the visual novel genre.
“I especially love how each arc relates to how they lived short lives, and how their stories finished their arc from life and completing those storylines is what allows them to pass on.”
“The characters' storylines are all very unique and they all have different struggles and ways to cope, all of which are portrayed really well.”
“The story was well-thought-out and the characters were well-made.”
“The story line is minimal and doesn't add anything to the experience.”
“I didn't find it all interesting, I must admit, I was sometimes bored by the discussions (and the way it was transcribed) and the humor was not my type... but, I really liked how each character's story unfolded, and I found the relations between them really cute at the end.”
“The navigation is a bit confusing but overall the story and art style make up for it.”
- emotional427 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is overwhelmingly positive, with many players expressing that it is heartwarming, touching, and often made them cry. Reviewers highlight the game's ability to create deep emotional connections with its characters, combining humor with poignant moments that resonate on a personal level. Overall, it is described as a charming and wholesome experience that leaves a lasting impact, making it a must-play for those seeking an emotional journey.
“I cried when the gay snake started singing... 9/10”
“This game is incredibly sweet, cute, and touching.”
“I laughed, I cried, and I loved every moment of it.”
- music285 mentions
- 52 % positive mentions
- 47 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its charm and emotional impact, with many players highlighting specific tracks like "Purrgatory Blues" and the ending song as particularly memorable. While some noted that the music can become repetitive over time, it generally complements the game's atmosphere and enhances the storytelling experience. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a significant strength, with many players recommending purchasing it to support the developers.
“The music is no orchestral masterpiece, but the different music for different places fits so well, and helped make it feel lively for what could otherwise have been monotonous.”
“The soundtrack is also absolutely phenomenal throughout the game.”
“The music, the characters, the setting; all so cute and quaint I love it so much.”
“The music and atmosphere really got my attention, even though it's very simple and has very bland graphic design, it feels like home, and I love the elevator music.”
“Sound design is empty or there is just flat music playing in the background.”
“The music can get a little repetitive, but I liked the songs well enough that that's not an issue.”
- graphics274 mentions
- 47 % positive mentions
- 51 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are characterized by a charmingly simplistic and hand-drawn art style that many players find endearing and fitting for the game's cozy atmosphere. While some describe the visuals as minimalistic or reminiscent of MS Paint, they contribute to the overall experience, enhancing the lovable characters and humorous dialogue. Overall, the art style is praised for its unique appeal, making the game a delightful and immersive experience despite its straightforward graphics.
“The art style is adorable, and the dialogue is fairly realistic and funny!!”
“The art style is beautiful, the dialogue is funny, and the story is so so good.”
“The art style is charming, the characters are unique, the story is beautiful.”
“The graphics will either put you off instantly, or if you keep playing in spite of them then you understand that it's part of the experience.”
“The music and atmosphere really got my attention, even though it's very simple and has very bland graphic design, it feels like home.”
“While at first glance it looks extremely underwhelming with its minimalist art style and short playtime, the story is really what pushes it to be so good.”
- humor256 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised for its cleverness, charm, and abundance of puns, making it both heartwarming and entertaining. Players appreciate the relatable characters and witty dialogue, which often elicits genuine laughter while also touching on deeper emotional themes. Overall, the blend of lighthearted humor with poignant moments creates a delightful experience that resonates with many players.
“Puns galore are ahead and the humor is generally top notch.”
“The characters are so funny and I loved all the jokes and the puns and the fact that they talk like you would with your friends.”
“The dialogue is funny and clever, a lot of puns.”
- gameplay52 mentions
- 21 % positive mentions
- 73 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The gameplay is primarily a simple point-and-click experience, featuring engaging dialogue, quirky characters, and a variety of mini-games that enhance the overall charm. While some players found the mechanics a bit tedious and navigation challenging, many appreciated the cozy atmosphere and the emotional depth of the story, making it a satisfying experience despite its brevity. Overall, the game successfully combines humor and heartfelt moments, appealing to fans of casual gaming and visual novels.
“The interactive gameplay, unique characters, and a ton of cat puns :3c”
“The quiet introspection of it all coupled with fun classic point-and-click gameplay blew me away.”
“The characters are diverse (not just in personality) and endearing, the gameplay (although repetitive at times) is great for those who like point-and-click games, the dialogue feels natural and makes it feel like you're talking to real people, the art style is deceptively simple, and the story, while very simple, is executed very well.”
“It just really nailed that feeling of 'meh, I'm here, I guess,' even within the gameplay.”
“The gameplay can be a little tedious, especially if you want the good ending, but in my opinion, it is beyond worth it.”
“The game is pretty cute, but the mechanics are a bit annoying, and there's also not enough of a clear directive.”
- atmosphere31 mentions
- 52 % positive mentions
- 39 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its cozy, charming, and whimsical qualities, enhanced by endearing characters and a unique art style. Players appreciate the thoughtful use of sound, music, and color to evoke various moods, creating a blend of lightheartedness and subtle eeriness. Overall, the game successfully immerses players in a delightful yet slightly surreal world, making it a memorable experience.
“I did appreciate that the music just stops when you reach the pit, really gives it that mysterious atmosphere, and makes it that little bit more eerie when you climb down.”
“The art and music are adorable, the characters and story are so charming, and the overall atmosphere is so lighthearted and warm.”
“There's a very good sense of atmosphere here; purrgatory feels lived in and yet still that littlest bit ethereal.”
“It has a peculiar atmosphere and some surreal elements that make it unique.”
“Really nails that 'harmless but desolate place' atmosphere for purgatory.”
“Even though all the backgrounds and characters look like they were drawn in a rush in MS Paint (which I quite love the atmosphere of and can see it was on purpose), the stories that are untold through all of the characters made this game seem really human.”
- character development21 mentions
- 81 % positive mentions
- 5 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is widely praised for its depth and charm, with players appreciating how characters evolve and overcome their insecurities throughout the story. The adorable and unique character designs, combined with strong narrative elements and inclusive representation, enhance the overall experience, making it memorable and engaging. Many reviewers noted that the character interactions and development significantly contribute to the game's appeal, making it a delightful journey worth revisiting.
“The character development was amazing, helping them get out of their shells, exploring, the sound effects/music, it was all perfect.”
“I love the cute and simplistic art, and I was really impressed by the brilliant character development throughout.”
“To be noted: there is a way to end the game much earlier but that makes you lose out on a lot of story, character development, and charm.”
“Very cute game, character development, and puzzle-esc game with the puzzle being more focused on searching and interacting with characters to help each of them with their own problems and insecurities.”
“Everything down to the LGBTQ representation and even smaller stuff like the general ambiance and character designs are all so charming.”
- replayability11 mentions
- 55 % positive mentions
- 18 % neutral mentions
- 27 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's replayability is mixed; while some players find it highly engaging with multiple routes and character stories to explore, others feel it offers limited replay value after a couple of playthroughs. Many appreciate the charm and depth that encourage revisiting the game, especially to experience different character interactions and endings. However, some users note that it may not sustain long-term replay interest.
“Charming atmosphere, cute art, and the best cat puns :3 a great way to spend a couple of hours; also, I like the replayability since I didn't quite get the whole experience in my first playthrough!”
“Very replayable with a ton of stuff to do!”
“There's not much replay value, but for a free game that's only about 90 MB, it's still quite good!”
“I didn't want to be rude or mean to the characters because they're all so nice and feel so realistic, so I pretty much played it being nice to everyone. I'm interested to see what kind of replay value it has, because I'm sure there are plenty of routes to explore.”
“There is some replayability in it in case you want to achieve the best possible ending.”
- grinding7 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 43 % neutral mentions
- 57 % negative mentions
Players have mixed feelings about the grinding aspect, with some finding it enjoyable and fun, while others describe it as tedious, especially when aiming for the best endings. However, many agree that the engaging quests and numerous easter eggs make the effort worthwhile.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“The gameplay can be a little tedious, especially if you want the good ending.”
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- monetization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The monetization model is well-received, as it avoids intrusive ads and does not overwhelm players with spam, contributing to a positive gaming experience.
“The monetization model feels exploitative, pushing players to spend money to enjoy the game fully.”
“I find the in-game purchases to be overpriced and not worth the value they provide.”
“The constant prompts to buy premium currency ruin the overall experience and make it feel like a cash grab.”