Today we return to talk about Copycat, the game from Spoonful of Wonder, the Australian-Ukranian duo of Samantha Cable and Kostia Liakhov. After publishing our first impressions of the demo, we finally got to play the full version of the game.
Copycat has been available on Steam since 19th September 2024 and can be purchased with a 10% discount at launch.
Dawn’s adventure begins
Copycat puts us in the shoes of a cat adopted by an elderly lady called Olive. Like all pets that have had more than one home, Dawn is suspicious and does not identify with a house cat. In fact, her big dream is to live in the wild, free from all constraints.
What appears to be her escape plan is soon disrupted by the turn of events. Without giving away too many plot spoilers, let’s just say that this story will involve the presence of another cat, the ‘Copycat‘.
The story told in Copycat is an emotional one. On the one hand, it confronts us with feelings such as loneliness, abandonment and despair, but on the other hand, it reminds us not to lose hope and to continue trusting in others.
What is most surprising is that a story told from a cat’s point of view manages to speak so well to the heart, making us reflect and feel touched. In doing this, the developers have done a great job.
Exciting and immersive experience
One of the aspects of Copycat that impressed us most was its ability to engage, thanks to well-crafted shots and cinematics. The developers have managed to create a truly immersive experience that puts us in the shoes of a cat. In Copycat, we alternate between third-person and first-person perspectives, with moments where we see Dawn from above and scenes where we see the world from her perspective.
The various vicissitudes and dangers we face, such as escapes from dogs or encounters with other cats, also make the gameplay more engaging. It took us just under three hours to complete the entire adventure, but the level of involvement made it feel even shorter.
Despite its short length, Copycat’s gameplay is very varied. At the beginning, we are only able to explore the house and garden, and as the adventure progresses, we are also able to explore the outside world. There is never really unlimited exploration. In some cases we have more freedom, in other sections the game forces us to go in a certain direction.
As well as classic exploration, sections alternate between stealth, chases and combat, the latter of which takes the form of quick-time events. We also liked the alternating pacing of the game, which starts off slower and then becomes more intense. A pace that perfectly follows the events of the plot.
The sets and lighting are well done and provide us with some very atmospheric scenes. There are some flaws in the realisation of the assets of the furniture and the characters, which are of inferior quality compared to those of the exteriors. The animations and some of our cat’s movements, especially when jumping, are also sometimes unnatural. This is particularly noticeable in the platforming sections.
Aside from the not-so-excellent technical implementation, Copycat is a well-made experience. The game offers us three hours of a narrative adventure that is both touching and entertaining.
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