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PUSS!

PUSS was a game abruptly dropped into my email inbox with little notice, one that caught me off guard and I normally would ignore due to my break. Yet, willing to take on a challenge, I gave it a spin, and it’s honestly pretty mediocre at the end of the day, with weird execution and more of a focus on shock value rather than thoughtful level design.
PUSS! Game Cover
79%Game Brain Score
graphics, gameplay
stability, atmosphere
85% User Score Based on 724 reviews
Critic Score 50%Based on 1 reviews

Platforms

Nintendo SwitchAndroidPlaystation 4XboxiPhoneWindowsPlayStationLinuxPCTabletMac OSPhoneXbox OneiPadMobile Platform
PUSS! Game Cover

About

PUSS! is a single player survival action adventure game with horror and fantasy themes. It was developed by teamcoil and was released on August 2, 2018. It received neutral reviews from critics and positive reviews from players.

"PUSS! is a horror arcade game where you, a cat, must escape from another dimension. The game features simple controls, intense boss fights, and unique psychedelic style. Compete on the leaderboard, collect cat skins, and prepare for challenging levels with random sequences and flashing graphics, which could trigger seizures in people with photosensitive epilepsy."

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85%
Audience ScoreBased on 724 reviews
graphics52 positive mentions
stability10 negative mentions

  • Unique blend of mouse maze and bullet hell gameplay that keeps players engaged.
  • Visually stunning with a psychedelic aesthetic and a captivating soundtrack.
  • Challenging yet rewarding, offering a sense of accomplishment as players improve their skills.
  • Frustrating difficulty spikes and a life system that forces players to restart from the beginning after losing all lives.
  • Visual distortion effects can be overwhelming and may trigger discomfort or seizures for some players.
  • Randomized level design can lead to unfair gameplay experiences, making it feel luck-based rather than skill-based.
  • graphics
    131 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of the game are characterized by a vibrant and chaotic psychedelic aesthetic, blending elements of vaporwave with surreal imagery and glitch effects that create a visually striking experience. While many players find the visuals captivating and innovative, others note that the intense colors and flashing effects can be overwhelming and even disorienting, potentially triggering discomfort for those sensitive to such stimuli. Overall, the game's unique art style and audio complement its gameplay, making it a memorable, albeit polarizing, visual experience.

    • “The graphics are great and so is the score.”
    • “The visuals are very trippy and fun to experience, the concept is absurd and will constantly surprise you, and you will most likely have trouble beating some of the more difficult sections of the game.”
    • “A great cursor maze game with puzzle/bullet hell elements and semi-permadeath with a vaporwave aesthetic that has some of the best visuals I've ever seen in a video game, varied level design and a fantastic soundtrack.”
    • “The game assaults the senses with flickering colors, glitch-inspired overlays, rapidly changing backgrounds, and surreal imagery ranging from pixel art chaos to strange collage-like visuals.”
    • “Concept is neat, and I enjoyed what gameplay I could stomach, but a combination of what felt like intentional glitchiness (random split-second freezing near long stretches, visual tearing as a damage warning, graphics not accurately representing where any given thing on the screen actually was) meant I didn't even get through the first world before giving up.”
    • “The graphics and audio were obnoxious and wholly unpleasant throughout what I played of the game - before I had had enough getting stomped on.”
  • gameplay
    74 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of the game is characterized by simple mechanics focused on navigating mazes and avoiding obstacles, which can become repetitive despite the introduction of unique boss battles and psychedelic visuals. While some players appreciate the challenge and replayability offered by the random level order and bullet-hell elements, others find the gameplay shallow and frustrating, often overshadowed by the game's aesthetic appeal. Overall, the experience is a mix of engaging and tedious moments, with a strong emphasis on visual style rather than depth in gameplay mechanics.

    • “At its core, the mechanics are simple: navigate to the exit without colliding with walls or enemy projectiles.”
    • “The game also spices things up with boss battles that break from the formula, often introducing bullet-hell style mechanics and surreal creatures that fire waves of attacks in hypnotic yet deadly rhythms.”
    • “The gameplay is simple and incredibly challenging at the same time.”
    • “The gameplay loop is not very fun; just play anything else.”
    • “The visuals are neat and all, but the gameplay runs the gamut between mind-numbingly slow, surgically precise maneuvering of thin hallways to snap-judgment reflexes from obstacles and moving walkways, which makes it more of a chore to play than a joy to look at.”
    • “The underlying gameplay is just moving your mouse through a maze; honestly, not worth putting up with the retina-piercing and epilepsy-inducing visuals.”
  • music
    53 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game is widely praised for its creativity and ability to enhance the overall experience, featuring a diverse range of styles from trippy electronic beats to soothing synthwave soundscapes. Many players find the soundtrack integral to the game's aesthetic, describing it as both bizarre and captivating, although some note that it can be overwhelming at times. Overall, the music is considered a standout element that complements the game's visuals and gameplay, contributing to its unique atmosphere.

    • “Complementing the visuals is a soundtrack that refuses to settle into one style, weaving between electronic pulses, distorted noise, and chaotic riffs that mirror the game’s fractured style.”
    • “Each map is a beautiful work of art, the soundtrack is fantastic, and it very obviously has had love, blood, sweat, and acid poured into it.”
    • “The levels themselves are absolutely amazing, each one of them is a separate work of vaporwave art, accompanied by an equally sweet soundtrack composed out of truly bizarre samples, just like vaporwave should be.”
    • “The music they’ve chosen is the loudest and most annoying type, causing frustration and high blood pressure for players.”
    • “The music is overhyped and sub-par, not even close to what I came for.”
    • “Add in a soundtrack that at times really unsettles your mind and mood... and it really sounds like hell, right?”
  • humor
    30 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is described as eccentric and often hilarious, featuring funny portrayals of cats and unexpected gags that enhance the overall experience. While some players find the humor appealing and well-integrated with the game's psychedelic art style, others criticize it as childish or overly random. Overall, the game balances challenging gameplay with a quirky sense of humor that resonates with many players, despite some mixed opinions on its execution.

    • “It's also so brilliantly dazzling in the difficulty of its levels, the blindly glorious and psychedelic art style, and hilarious portrayals of cats simply up to no good!”
    • “There are also some really unexpected and hilarious gags.”
    • “The game has a good sense of humor, a good challenge to keep you interested, and 7 different bosses that will literally blow your socks off.”
    • “The jokes fall flat and feel forced.”
    • “I expected more laughs, but the humor is stale.”
    • “The attempts at comedy are cringeworthy and miss the mark.”
  • story
    16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's story is described as simple yet imaginative, centering around a cat on a mission to confront occult kitties and a cult that worships demon dogs. While the narrative is minimal and conveyed through dialogues, it features a mix of humor and psychological horror, complemented by bizarre visuals and engaging gameplay. Players appreciate the creativity in the storytelling, despite its brevity, with some finding it both fun and challenging.

    • “The weirdest but most insane story but so fun.”
    • “I like the story and characters of the game, and the boss fights are fun.”
    • “It's a simple foundation for what ends up being a fairly challenging puzzle game, with bizarre visuals and a surreal plot to spice things up.”
    • “The game has very little story, and it's told by dialogues between your cat (by meowing) and the rest of the diverse characters.”
    • “Only thing I have an issue with is the very simple story (as far as I can tell).”
    • “I'm pretty sure the story is about a cat battling a cult that worships demon dogs.”
  • stability
    10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's stability is frequently criticized, with users reporting numerous glitches, bugs, and occasional freezes that disrupt gameplay. While some players note that these issues are minor and do not detract significantly from the overall experience, others describe the game as "extremely buggy" and prone to unexpected behavior. Overall, stability appears to be a notable concern for many players.

    • “Aptly buggy.”
    • “Extremely buggy, game freezes and locks up for no reason.”
    • “The game even screws with you and glitches out at times in a very strange way where it seems like demons are hijacking your computer.”
  • emotional
    8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players express a strong emotional connection to the game, highlighting its engaging and whimsical focus on cats, which adds a layer of charm to the challenging gameplay. The combination of precision-based mechanics and vibrant, wacky visuals creates a unique experience that resonates with users, evoking feelings of nostalgia and enjoyment reminiscent of classic carnival games. Overall, the emotional appeal lies in the blend of fun, challenge, and the endearing theme of cats.

    • “The entire game has a focus on cats (which, honestly, what could be a better focus) and you draw your path across each of the stages while not touching the walls.”
    • “Basically, the game is that make it through the maze without touching the sides carnival attraction with cats and seizure-inducing visuals... and for some reason, I just loved it.”
    • “This is the best iteration of a road crossing game and a no wall touching labyrinth game.”
  • atmosphere
    7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's atmosphere is described as abrasive yet captivating, combining striking audio and visuals that create a uniquely horrifying experience. Players find it both thrilling and unsettling, with each level offering strange and unique challenges that enhance the overall ambiance. While the atmosphere is a major draw, some reviewers feel that the game’s design could be improved to better complement this strength.

    • “Together, the audio and visuals create an atmosphere that is abrasive yet oddly captivating.”
    • “This game is a low-key horror title; the atmosphere is amazing, every level is strange and unique, and the challenges just get harder and harder.”
    • “It is actually horrifying when you turn up the volume and don't expect what's going to happen in the slightest. This game is cursed, but I still can't wait to continue playing it. It's one of those games where you feel like it'll give you a heart attack and burn your eyes out of your skull, but you still want to keep playing because you love the atmosphere so much!”
    • “But that's almost the problem; the main draw is the atmosphere, not the mechanics, but the game isn't built that way.”
    • “As it is, it's probably still a hidden gem and has killer atmosphere, but the design pushes me away.”
  • grinding
    6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be both tedious and frustrating, often requiring repetitive practice to master levels and boss patterns. While some enjoy the challenge and simplicity, others feel that the luck-based elements can lead to a frustrating experience, especially when unexpected new levels appear after lengthy attempts. Overall, the grinding can be a double-edged sword, offering satisfaction for those who persevere but potentially overwhelming for others.

    • “It's one of those games that are meant to be 'creepy' or 'trippy', but while most of those games have quality gameplay, this is a tedious carnival game that you'll experience the most of within 10 minutes.”
    • “Even though the bosses aren't that hard once you know their patterns, some of them can be quite luck-based, thus making the boss fight tedious rather than enjoyable.”
    • “Difficulty-wise, it will get easier with time; you just have to keep practicing and mastering the levels. However, it can be very frustrating and tedious, especially if you get a perfect run and suddenly encounter a brand new level you've never seen before, which can lead to losing all your lives and having to redo everything from scratch.”
  • replayability
    5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game offers a mix of randomness in level order and short gameplay sessions that encourage players to keep trying for "just one more run." While the simplicity of its mechanics may limit depth and long-term replayability, the engaging level design and accessibility create a satisfying experience that can draw players back for more. Overall, it strikes a balance between challenge and enjoyment, making it appealing for repeated playthroughs.

    • “The randomness of the level order ensures replayability, and the short bursts of gameplay make it easy to attempt 'just one more run.'”
    • “It strikes the perfect balance of short, sweet accessibility and challenging, replayable arcade fixation that works together to engage you on a whole new retro level.”
    • “The randomness of the level order ensures replayability, and the short bursts of gameplay make it easy to attempt 'just one more run.' However, the simplicity of its mechanics means that beyond surviving mazes and bosses, there isn’t much depth.”
    • “Which is okay on your first playthrough, as you can get better at each stage and feel like you're making progress - but it also means terrible replayability.”
    • “Insanely good level design, both in terms of graphics and replayability.”
  • monetization
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Users feel that Taco Bell's monetization strategy is overly aggressive, particularly in terms of advertising.

    • “The monetization strategy feels overly aggressive and intrusive.”
    • “I can't enjoy the game without being bombarded by constant ads.”
    • “It seems like every feature is locked behind a paywall, making it frustrating to progress.”
  • optimization
    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The optimization in the game is designed to enhance player mastery, as it adjusts the difficulty of boss encounters based on the player's performance in earlier levels, making them easier if the player has performed well.

    • “It's a design choice that promotes mastery by making the boss easier depending on your performance in the previous levels.”
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20h Median play time
20h Average play time
20-20h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 1 analyzed playthroughs
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Frequently Asked Questions

PUSS! is a survival action adventure game with horror and fantasy themes.

PUSS! is available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, iPhone, Windows and others.

On average players spend around 20 hours playing PUSS!.

PUSS! was released on August 2, 2018.

PUSS! was developed by teamcoil.

PUSS! has received neutral reviews from players and neutral reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its graphics but disliked it for its stability.

PUSS! is a single player game.

Similar games include Super Hexagon, Post Void, Thumper, Titan Souls, Devil Daggers and others.