Pushcat

About

Pushcat is a single player puzzle game. It was developed by Zut! and was released on January 11, 2015. It received positive reviews from players.

Help Pushcat adventure through five exciting worlds in his quest for sweet, sweet silver. Along the way he’ll get chased by angry ghosts, explore caves full of treacherous traps and even combine the best bits of science and magic.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

85%

Audience ScoreBased on 48 reviews

graphics6 positive mentions

grinding3 negative mentions

Pushcat offers a fun and challenging puzzle experience, combining classic block-pushing mechanics with match-3 gameplay, reminiscent of Boulder Dash.
The game features charming retro visuals and an engaging 8-bit ragtime soundtrack, creating a nostalgic atmosphere that enhances the overall experience.
Levels are varied and require different skill sets, providing a satisfying difficulty curve that keeps players engaged as they progress.

The grid/block-based movement can become frustrating, especially in later levels where quick reactions are necessary, leading to frequent restarts.
Many levels feature random elements that can make gameplay feel repetitive and less strategically rewarding, detracting from the overall puzzle design.
The game suffers from a lack of polish, with issues such as fixed resolution and some confusing mechanics that can hinder the player experience.

gameplay
25 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
12%
76%
12%
The gameplay of *pushcat* combines classic match-3 mechanics with elements reminiscent of *Boulder Dash*, featuring charming pixel art and engaging puzzles that progressively increase in difficulty. While some players find the mechanics unintuitive and the gameplay can become tedious, others appreciate the fresh twists and addictive nature of the puzzles, making it a worthwhile experience for puzzle enthusiasts. Overall, the game successfully blends nostalgic aesthetics with simple yet deep gameplay, appealing to fans of the genre.
- “Pushcat is a delightful puzzle game reminiscent of Boulder Dash that combines classic block-pushing mechanics with charming retro visuals and an addictive soundtrack.”
- “The gameplay centers around navigating various levels and pushing blocks to match gems of the same color, ultimately helping the eponymous pushcat in his quest for silver coins.”
- “Additionally, the introduction of new elements and mechanics throughout the game keeps the gameplay fresh and exciting, preventing the experience from becoming stale or repetitive.”
- “Difficulty due to unintuitive mechanics.”
- “Gets tedious and fast due to the finicky nature of the core gameplay.”
- “However, gameplay is confusing, the protagonist lacks charisma, and the game feels bland and unfinished.”
graphics
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
25%
25%
The graphics of Pushcat are characterized by a charming retro pixel aesthetic that appeals to fans of classic video games, despite some users noting their simplicity and lack of high production values. While opinions vary, many players appreciate the nostalgic visuals and find them fitting for the puzzle gameplay, emphasizing that the game's engaging mechanics take precedence over graphical fidelity. Overall, the graphics are described as cute and enjoyable, particularly for those who favor retro styles.
- “One of the most appealing aspects of Pushcat is its retro aesthetic, which pays homage to the golden age of video games.”
- “It has some nice retro style graphics and an inventive new game style.”
- “Cute graphics if you're into retro and the overworld theme is pretty good.”
- “The game features ugly retro pixel graphics, due to a lack of capability from the developer to include higher production values.”
- “Cute graphics if you're into retro, but they may not appeal to everyone.”
- “Forget about graphics; this is a pure gameplay game.”
music
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
20%
30%
The music in Pushcat features a lively 8-bit ragtime soundtrack that enhances the nostalgic gaming experience, reminiscent of classic titles like Super Mario. While the soundtrack is generally entertaining and layered, some players noted that certain instruments only become audible as they progress, creating a dynamic listening experience. Overall, the catchy and cheerful tunes contribute significantly to the game's charm and appeal.
- “The crisp pixel art and catchy 8-bit ragtime soundtrack create a nostalgic atmosphere that transports players back to the glory days of gaming.”
- “I love the music; it's like 8-bit ragtime style music.”
- “In many levels, the music is sort of incomplete - some instruments won't kick in until you reach your coin minimum.”
- “You really only hear these songs fully when you stick around to try to earn a bonus star.”
- “The soundtrack eschews Scott Joplin tunes in favor of slightly lesser-known pieces from the ragtime repertoire, and they're all quite perky.”
grinding
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious, particularly due to large gem targets and infinite spawners that prolong gameplay. However, the absence of crushing hazards adds a layer of relief compared to similar titles, though the finicky mechanics can still lead to frustration.
- “If the level features infinite spawners, the gem target is obnoxiously large and tedious.”
- “Gets tedious fast due to the finicky nature of the core gameplay.”
replayability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game boasts high replayability due to its over 50 procedurally generated caves, guaranteeing unique experiences in each playthrough.
- “The game features over 50 procedurally generated caves, ensuring that no two playthroughs are the same and providing ample replay value.”
- “Each decision you make leads to different outcomes, making every playthrough feel fresh and exciting.”
- “With multiple character classes and skill trees, players can experiment with different builds, enhancing the game's replayability.”
atmosphere
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game features a nostalgic atmosphere enhanced by crisp pixel art and a catchy 8-bit ragtime soundtrack, reminiscent of classic gaming. This charming presentation, combined with simple yet addictive gameplay, makes it a delightful experience for puzzle enthusiasts.
- “The crisp pixel art and catchy 8-bit ragtime soundtrack create a nostalgic atmosphere that transports players back to the glory days of gaming.”
- “Its simple yet addictive gameplay, charming presentation, and nostalgic atmosphere make it a worthwhile addition to any puzzle enthusiast's Steam library.”
story
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The story revolves around the pushcat's quest to collect silver coins by navigating levels and matching colored gems through block-pushing gameplay.