Yo Ho Ho and a Bottle of Catnip: A Review of “Cat Quest III”

In a gaming world dominated by epic, grimdark fantasies and competitive multiplayer titles, sometimes all a player wants is a cozy, charming adventure filled with puns and adorable animal characters. Enter Cat Quest III, the latest installment in The Gentlebros’ beloved series. Released in August 2024 for PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch, this third entry shifts the action from the fantasy land of Felingard to the high seas of the “Purribean,” offering a swashbuckling pirate adventure that is as “purr-fect” as its name suggests. With a focus on a streamlined open-world experience and a refined combat system, Cat Quest III is a delightful, family-friendly RPG that, while not reinventing the wheel, proves that a focused, well-executed formula is often better than a bloated one.

The Cat Quest series has always been praised for its elegant simplicity and witty writing. This latest installment builds upon that foundation, introducing new mechanics while retaining the core gameplay loop that has made the series so popular. Unlike many modern open-world RPGs that overwhelm players with an endless list of markers and activities, Cat Quest III offers a more curated, but no less rewarding, experience. The game is a one-time premium purchase, a refreshing model in a market saturated with free-to-play titles and aggressive monetization strategies, offering a complete, ad-free experience from the outset.

Gameplay: A Purr-fect Pirate’s Life

The core gameplay of Cat Quest III is a fusion of action-RPG elements and a light-hearted pirate sim. You play as a “purrivateer” on a quest to find the mythical treasure, the North Star. The overworld is a vast archipelago dotted with islands and populated by a colorful cast of “Pi-rats.” The combat is fast-paced and fluid, allowing you to seamlessly switch between melee weapons, ranged pistols and rifles, and an array of elemental magic spells. The game’s one-button dodge mechanic and clear attack indicators make combat accessible to all skill levels, while the variety of weapons and spells ensures there’s always a new way to approach a fight.

The most significant new addition to the series is the naval combat. Players can sail their own pirate ship across the open sea, engaging in exciting cannon battles with enemy Pi-rat ships and even battling giant sea creatures. The ship can be upgraded with new cannons, special ammo, and passive bonuses, adding a satisfying layer of progression to the naval exploration. Hopping on and off the ship is seamless, allowing for a smooth transition from sailing the high seas to exploring dungeons on foot. This dual-layered gameplay loop—exploring on land and sailing on the sea—keeps the experience fresh and engaging from start to finish. The game’s progression is tied to your level, and the vast amount of side quests and hidden treasures makes leveling up a fun and rewarding process, rather than a grind.

• Hybrid Gameplay: The game successfully blends classic action-RPG combat with new, exciting naval battles, creating a dynamic and engaging experience.
• Streamlined Progression: The game avoids the typical open-world bloat, offering a more focused experience with a clear and satisfying progression path.
• Endless Puns: The game’s writing is filled with “cat-astrophic” humor and “fur-midable” puns, a key charm of the series that is in full effect here.

Art, Story, and a Few Minor Blemishes

Visually, Cat Quest III is a delight. The game retains the series’ charming 2.5D art style, with vibrant colors and expressive character designs. The new pirate theme is well-realized, with detailed ship models and beautifully designed island environments. The music, a soundtrack of catchy, sea shanty-like tunes, perfectly complements the swashbuckling theme and adds to the game’s overall appeal. The story, while a simple “find the treasure” quest, is told with a light-hearted charm and features a memorable cast of characters. The optional quests are a highlight, each with its own mini-story and rewarding loot.

However, the game is not without its minor flaws. The biggest is its relatively short length. While a blessing for players who appreciate a more concise experience, some fans may find the 8-10 hour main story to be too short. The game’s combat, while fun, can become a bit repetitive for players seeking a deeper, more strategic challenge. Lastly, the endless stream of puns, while charming for many, can be a bit much for some players. These are, however, minor quibbles in an otherwise excellent and polished game.

Conclusion: A Purr-fect Pirate Adventure

Cat Quest III is a fantastic entry in a beloved series and a perfect example of a game that knows exactly what it is and executes it flawlessly. It’s not trying to compete with sprawling, 100-hour epics; instead, it offers a focused, charming, and genuinely fun adventure that respects the player’s time. The new naval combat and the streamlined open-world design are brilliant additions that make this the best installment yet. For fans of the series and newcomers alike, Cat Quest III is a must-play. It’s a game that reminds us that sometimes, all you need is a cute cat, a treasure map, and a whole lot of puns to have a truly “purr-fect” adventure.