'The Cat Lady'

I've played many games varying from different genres. And each time I discover a game that I like, I feel that the world of gaming is truly expanding. Some of these different genres and type of games have been around since the 90s and even early 80s and 70s. But I've found one game that has changed the way I've perceived things in life and it's made me stop and think about many things in both my life and in gaming in general.

The game is called The Cat Lady. I stumbled across it by sheer chance at a sale on Steam for 83p. Best 83p I ever spent as far as I was concerned. Now when I think about The Cat Lady, I think spinsters with a hundred cats. A perfectly sweet and innocent thought. The phrase gives off very colourful imagery. Being a lover of cats myself, I find the title quite attractive. Now, if this game has taught me anything, it's never to judge a game by its title because this game is not the fluff fest one would expect.

To put it frankly, it's one of my favourite indie games at the moment. It's a powerful physiological horror that bravely handles themes of depression and suicide without romanticising them. I think the game does a wonderful job raising awareness. The characters are compelling and the antagonists are well and truly parasites. Especially Doctor X, who uses his victims as canvas for gruesome art. Chapter two had to be the most disturbing, almost tied with chapter four.

At the beginning of the game, Susan Ashworth has nothing to live for. She's alone and her only companions are stray cats. She mainly stays within her house. She attempts suicide by overdosing on sleeping tablets. And she takes loads of them. Then it all goes to chaos from there.

The graphics and colour-scheme of the game are highly appropriate for its overall mood and theme of the game. The gameplay itself is quite simple and never really had any problems with the game. Harvester Games has recently made an update to the game where the old save files will no longer work on the updated game, but going back to playing the old version of the game on steam will fix this.

The game gives at least five hours of game play, which is nice. It can be played and completed in a day or two if you wanted to. The game hooks me with the detailed graphics and the dialogue between the characters. How the Queen of Maggots resembles an older version of Susan is both striking and terrifying. The voice acting on the whole is quite good though in my opinion, really captured the eerie tone of the game.

The game's plot remains consistent throughout despite the variety of choices in the dialogue. Choices still very truly matter. Some lead to achievements and some are absolutely vital to achieve the golden ending where Mitzi survives her cancer.

Mitzi is my favourite character aside from Susan. Her optimism despite the circumstances is a joy to see in a game so dark and gloomy. And she gives Susan a glimmer of hope - and a reason to live. They work together as their paths cross. Susan is granted immortality so she can stop five evil people known as parasites and Mitzi seeks revenge on an online troll who convinced her lover to commit suicide.

Both protagonists have very realistic and heartbreaking backstories which makes them believable and easy to root for. The best scene for me is chapter seven when you confront the last parasite. There's about five possible endings depending on your choices and actions throughout the game. The couple are essential.

The soundtrack is also pretty epic with some great rock anthems and intense music. As a writer, I've found the game to be inspirational and thought the ending was perfect. It's been a long time since a game has made such a strong impact on me like this. I fully whole heartily recommend this game.