The Cat Lady
- December 4, 2013
- Harvester Games
- 5h median play time
Get on Steam"The Cat Lady" is a dark, psychological horror adventure game. Players control Susan, a woman who has decided to take her own life, but finds herself intervened by strange events and a group of beings known as "The Parasites." As she delves deeper into their world, she must confront her own inner demons and make difficult choices that will have lasting consequences. The game features point-and-click gameplay, puzzle-solving, and a gripping narrative about mental health, trauma, and redemption.
PC
Windows
Linux
Reviews
- The game offers a deeply engaging and emotional story that resonates with players, particularly those who have experienced depression.
- The unique art style and atmospheric soundtrack enhance the overall experience, creating a haunting and immersive environment.
- The character development, especially of Susan and Mitzi, is well-crafted, making players care about their journey and struggles.
- The game suffers from technical issues, including crashes when alt-tabbing and a lack of autosave, which can lead to lost progress.
- Some voice acting is inconsistent, with varying quality that can detract from the immersion.
- The pacing can be slow at times, with lengthy dialogues that may feel tedious to some players.
- story3,876 mentions
- 42 % positive mentions
- 56 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The story of "The Cat Lady" is a deeply engaging and dark narrative that explores themes of depression, suicide, and redemption through the journey of its protagonist, Susan Ashworth. Players are drawn into a surreal world where choices impact the unfolding of a poignant tale filled with emotional depth, complex characters, and haunting visuals. While the gameplay may be simplistic and the pacing slow, the rich storytelling and atmosphere make it a memorable experience for those who appreciate narrative-driven games.
“I have replayed it a lot since, and I just think it's a triumph in storytelling.”
“This game is a beautiful story about mental health, revenge, abuse, and redemption.”
“The unique presentation of the story allows you to think about the choices you have made and the personal interpretation of situations and actions.”
“The story is just a schizo fever dream; it just doesn't make much sense even in its mystical occult setting.”
“I felt the story hit home for me sometimes in the sense that I have depression like Susan (the main character) and I knew what she was going through.”
“The story itself had me gripped the entire time that I played.”
- graphics1,434 mentions
- 34 % positive mentions
- 60 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The graphics of "The Cat Lady" are characterized by a unique, gritty art style that effectively enhances the game's dark atmosphere and narrative themes, such as depression and mental illness. While some players find the visuals crude or off-putting, many appreciate their ability to evoke a sense of unease and complement the storytelling. Overall, the simplistic graphics are seen as a deliberate artistic choice that contributes to the game's emotional impact, despite not being technically impressive by modern standards.
“The gritty art style with limited color creates the ideal atmosphere; the story is riveting and powerful, the music fits perfectly, and the overall artistic design is masterful.”
“The game's unique, gritty art style adds to the unsettling atmosphere, making every moment feel like a step into the unknown.”
“Despite its relatively weak graphics, The Cat Lady effectively demonstrates that it is not necessary to be a graphical masterpiece to create a dark, grungy, and melancholic atmospheric world.”
“The graphics often suck. Not because of art style, no because of inconsistency in quality and resolution.”
“The graphics are very simple, which really reflects the atmosphere.”
“The graphics could have been more detailed, to be honest.”
- music1,114 mentions
- 57 % positive mentions
- 41 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The music in the game has been widely praised for its exceptional quality and emotional resonance, effectively enhancing the overall atmosphere and narrative. Many players noted that the soundtrack is beautifully crafted, fitting seamlessly with the game's themes of loss and despair, and is memorable enough to evoke strong feelings long after gameplay. While some minor issues with volume and transitions were mentioned, the overwhelming consensus is that the soundtrack is a standout feature, elevating the gaming experience significantly.
“The music works in perfect harmony with the narrative, seamlessly enhancing the emotional resonance of every scene.”
“The soundtrack is absolutely amazing and will pull you into the story deeper, the voice acting is absolutely phenomenal as well and will have you falling in love with the characters over and over again.”
“The music reflects the atmosphere and emotions of both our character and us as players.”
“The glitches in the game with the music, that was already a no for me; you cannot adjust the volume and such in-game, there are no settings in the game to adjust the graphics, the music, dialogue settings.”
“Sometimes scenes/music would cut off rather than fade out.”
“This game's sound design is a genuine insult to how much sound and music can leave a lasting impact on a game's atmosphere and engagement.”
- atmosphere722 mentions
- 53 % positive mentions
- 46 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of "The Cat Lady" is consistently described as dark, oppressive, and deeply immersive, effectively conveying themes of depression and horror without relying on jump scares. Players appreciate the unique art style, haunting soundtrack, and the emotional weight of the narrative, which together create a compelling and unsettling experience. Many reviews highlight how the game's atmosphere enhances the storytelling, making it a standout title for fans of psychological horror and narrative-driven games.
“The game creates a compelling atmosphere with its mix of real-life photos, hand-drawn images, accent colors, and lighting.”
“The atmosphere is surreal, Susan is profound in her abundant normalcy for a video game character, and the music is perfect.”
“The atmosphere of this game is truly fantastic along with spooky sound effects and music!”
“What an amazing story and vibe... I can't praise this game enough. The atmosphere is crushingly depressing and you'll find yourself feeling the same.”
“The game's unique, gritty art style adds to the unsettling atmosphere, making every moment feel like a step into the unknown.”
“The atmosphere is often as surreal as are some of the situations the main character finds herself in.”
- gameplay676 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 72 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "The Cat Lady" is primarily a point-and-click adventure with simple mechanics, focusing heavily on narrative and character development rather than complex gameplay. While some players appreciate the engaging story and unique art style, many criticize the clunky controls, minimal interactivity, and sparse gameplay elements, leading to a mixed reception overall. The game is best suited for those who prioritize story over gameplay mechanics, as it often feels more like an interactive narrative than a traditional game.
“The voice acting is incredible, the story is gripping and unforgettable, and the gameplay is truly entertaining.”
“The gameplay is simple yet effective, with a focus on exploration and puzzle-solving.”
“Amazing story, amazing gameplay, amazing atmosphere, this game surprisingly kept me in front of the screen for hours.... very recommended.”
“The gameplay is the weakest part of the game for me - it's split between walking around collecting items, puzzles, and dialogue.”
“The gameplay is a mess and offers nothing to the overall experience, but the story takes the forefront and manages to hold everything together.”
“It's a frustrating mess, and the gameplay is minimalist if it's even there to begin with... it's padded down with game mechanics you have to learn that are only used in small sections, and game logic that defies even the most savant of idiots.”
- emotional444 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of "The Cat Lady" is profoundly impactful, resonating deeply with players who connect with its themes of depression, trauma, and the human experience. Many reviews highlight the game's ability to evoke strong feelings, often leading to tears, as it explores dark and sensitive topics through relatable characters and a compelling narrative. The combination of haunting music, well-crafted dialogue, and a unique art style enhances the emotional journey, making it a memorable experience for those willing to engage with its heavy themes.
“This game made me feel things I didn't want to feel but in the best way possible, really hit me deep in some stuff I didn't know was there, so to the dev, thank you.”
“The story of Susan Ashworth is one that is both deeply disturbing and emotionally resonant, and the way it tackles themes of depression and loneliness is both powerful and nuanced.”
“I finished the game in 9 hours and it was an emotional journey; the game is fantastic, even though it is old.”
- humor138 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by a blend of dark, sarcastic, and sometimes absurd elements, effectively juxtaposed with its heavy themes of depression, grief, and loss. Players appreciate the witty dialogue and the way humor is interwoven into poignant moments, making the experience both emotionally impactful and entertaining. Overall, the game successfully balances its darker narrative with moments of levity, appealing to those who enjoy a more morbid sense of humor.
“The story has some real poignant moments mixed with some very campy dry-witted humor about some really messed up situations.”
“It touches on a number of heavy themes, such as depression, grief and loss, suicide, abuse, etc., but also has some wonderful humor that is always perfectly placed.”
“Susan Ashworth starts off as a bitter, snarky woman, but I personally quickly became invested in her struggles for connections, and the other characters in the game range from horrifying to magnetic to hilarious.”
- replayability78 mentions
- 28 % positive mentions
- 68 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The game features a mix of multiple endings and branching choices, providing a solid level of replayability for players who enjoy exploring different narrative paths. While some reviewers noted that the heavy subject matter may limit their desire to replay, many appreciated the option to revisit the game for hidden achievements and varied outcomes. Overall, the replay value is considered high for those who enjoy story-driven experiences, though it may not appeal to everyone.
“It also has multiple endings, which gives it a lot of replay value.”
“It features several branching paths and endings, so the replay value is high.”
“There is definitely a lot of replay value since what you choose to say and do changes what happens in the game!”
“Not the most replayable game due to the subject matter being pretty heavy and at times hitting close to home, but I'm glad I gave this another go and look forward to doing it again in a couple of years.”
“Replay value - obviously none since it's a pure story-driven psychological horror game and once you've beaten the game there's no point to play it again, unless it's for the achievements which is what I did to 100% it.”
“This game is not for everyone; it's a simple point-and-click adventure game with little replay value.”
- optimization62 mentions
- 23 % positive mentions
- 55 % neutral mentions
- 23 % negative mentions
The game's optimization has received mixed feedback, with many players experiencing consistent stuttering and performance issues, particularly during scripted scenes. While some users reported smooth gameplay without problems, others noted significant framerate drops and crashes, suggesting that the game is not well-optimized across all systems. Overall, there is a consensus that the game could benefit from further polishing to enhance performance.
“Plays well and runs smoothly.”
“I've played through thrice so far and encountered no issues with performance.”
“Runs without performance issues on SteamOS/Linux.”
“Except for the performance, I'm not sure if it was my computer or if the settings could have been tweaked, but the game stuttered consistently throughout scripted scenes as if it was horribly optimized.”
“However, I had many issues with this game's performance; it crashed suddenly because of direct3dsurface or 'not data found' problems, all linked to the AGS engine.”
“Characters pause, the game freezes for a few seconds, the characters are very slow to respond to cues, and various other performance-related issues caused small but irritating stoppages in my gaming experience.”
- character development62 mentions
- 48 % positive mentions
- 47 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is widely praised for its depth and emotional impact, particularly through the protagonist, Susan Ashworth, whose evolution is highlighted across various chapters. Reviewers appreciate the personal and relatable interactions, as well as the game's ability to address complex themes like depression, making the characters feel authentic and engaging. While some characters may lack depth, the overall narrative and character arcs are considered exceptional, contributing significantly to the game's immersive experience.
“The character development is exceptional, breathing life into the cast and making each interaction feel personal and impactful.”
“I loved the storyline and character development, even if it's a game. I think it's important that people know more about this mental condition (depression) so we all can be more empathetic and understanding towards anyone suffering from this illness. Congratulations to the developers of this great work!”
“The character development is amazing, and you really start to appreciate all that the developers put in.”
“Character development is stereotypical and the narrative is contorted, at times, just to keep the story going in a particular direction.”
“Anyone that's watched horror movies or played any number of video games won't find the 'life after death' tropes interesting or new, and the dialogue and character development sounds like it was written by someone with the emotional depth of a high schooler.”
“I genuinely believe that this game could have been so much better if it were about 6 hours longer, giving more time for character development and for each chapter to include more actual gameplay.”
- stability48 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game's stability is frequently criticized, with players reporting numerous glitches, crashes, and a generally unresponsive user interface that detracts from the experience. While some users found moments of enjoyment when the game functioned properly, the overwhelming consensus is that the technical issues make it difficult to recommend, often feeling more like a beta version than a polished product. Overall, the game's bugs and performance problems significantly hinder its potential, despite its intriguing narrative.
“I don't recommend the game because of all the glitches and crashes.”
“To top it all off, controls are horrible and clunky, the whole game is unresponsive and unstable, the settings don't seem to do anything and if you try to put it on fullscreen, it just freezes on startup.”
“Now it's time to talk about some of the cons, the game can be buggy; I've encountered two corrupt saves which wouldn't be so bad if there weren't long periods of unskippable dialogue without a save option (setting me back at least an hour each time) and not many slots in which to save.”
- grinding34 mentions
- 3 % positive mentions
- 3 % neutral mentions
- 94 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game is frequently described as tedious, with players noting long dialogue pauses and slow pacing that can detract from the experience. While some mechanics and puzzles are engaging, many reviewers found themselves frustrated by the repetitive nature of certain sections, leading to a mixed overall impression. Despite these drawbacks, some players appreciated the narrative depth and character development, suggesting that the grinding contributes to the game's unique atmosphere.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“I only finished the game because I started it, but wow, what a tedious job it was.”
“With narration coming to the foreground, the game shifts from a pleasurable experience to a very tedious one filled with boring conversations for any audience member who's spent more than a few seconds thinking about life, whatsoever.”
“Save scumming makes it possible, but it is a tedious and luck-based achievement that isn't much fun.”
