The cutest game on the app store is back with a sequel, and I can almost hear fans purr with excitement. Developers Neutronized is here with Super Cat Tales 2. It is a mobile game that works on both iOS and Android devices.
Super Cat Tales 2 story, gameplay, and controls are similar to its predecessor. It shows the developers stuck to a tested and trusted approach which fans love.
The Story Begins… Or Continues?
It seems to me that although this is a sequel to the first game, the timeline of Super Cat Tales 2 precedes the happenings of its predecessor. The world, Neko Land, has been overtaken by the Tin Army for nefarious reasons, as you will see in the cutscenes. This forces the cats to go on a mission to save the world again. It is now up to Alex, the main character, and his super cat crew to defeat the Tin Army before they destroy the world.
Immersive and Addictive Gameplay
The world is filled with a lot of running, attacks, and evasion. You prop and sprint over enemies and obstacles, collecting coins and bells as you go. These are the in-game currency that unlocks later levels. There are three bells per level and multiple coins up for grabs; you may have to play a level multiple times to collect all the coins you need.
As you progress in this adventure, you will encounter cats who will join your team. There are about nine playable cats, namely Alex, McMeow, Shinji, Kuro, Amy, Brutus, Olli, Luna, and Robi Kitty. Each cat has different abilities, which come in handy in various situations. For example, the first cat you find can sprint through non-spiky enemies unscathed, McMeow can run into enemies, and Shinji can swim against strong water currents.
The more cats you get, the better your game gets, so you can mix it up as you go. Also, as you progress, you will realize that you cannot play the game entirely using only one cat. There are stages where you require a specific skill set that your one cat does not possess. This switching between cats, although easy, seems to slow down the gameplay.
You Go Shopping
There are 12 items in the shop which are quite expensive, ranging from 1500 coins to 4000. You will need some of these items to unlock certain secret passageways or collectable bells. You can also purchase shields and health abilities that help you last longer in the game.
Seamless Game Control
Super Cat Tales 2 utilizes the run, jump, crawl, and attack controls to get through the game. The controls, although easy, are quite hard to master, but you can rest assured that once you master them, you are good to go. Playing requires only two thumbs. Tap and hold your screen’s left or right side to move the cat left and right, respectively.
Double-tap and hold to make the cat run in the intended direction. When you run off to the end of a platform, the cat leaps into the air and clings to the wall when you prod it in the opposite wall. This motion keeps the cat jumping on the walls like a feline ninja until it gets to the elevated plain. I have found that the key to effective gameplay is timing. You are golden once you can time your moves and attacks and use the right cat.
Cute Retro-modern Graphics
The graphics of Super Cat Tales 2 can best be described as a modern take on retro games. The background is not as monotonous as some other 2D adventure games I have played, which was refreshing. The old-school platforming and cute colouring make the stages pop quite well. I also liked that there were different settings with different colour schemes.
You move from deserts and pyramids into the woods to face crazy wildlife, to the top of a speeding train, or face-to-face with an adorable but deadly dragon. Your cats’ eyes also glint in the dark to reveal dangerous bats that you should avoid. The game has a smart design that makes it pleasurable to run through.
Good Use of In-Game Payments and Advert Placement
One thing I like about the Super Cat Tales 2 is the smart use of advert placements. In free-to-play mobile games, adverts may pop up intermittently and disrupt gameplay, which can be annoying. However, Super Cat Tales 2 uses ads to its advantage, such that when you die in the game, instead of waiting minutes or hours, you can watch an ad to be revived. You cannot play some stages until you watch the ads; now, that could be frustrating.
There is also limited use of in-game purchases that require real-life money. You can, however, pay $0.99 to get the ad-free version of the game. I think this is a smart move by the developers to utilize ads as a tool to further the gameplay and nudge people to pay for a premium version of the game. This calls to question if people love the game enough to want to pay, and I think they do.
Corny Soundtrack As Expected
Looking at the name, I did not expect a Marvel soundtrack for this game. So I was not surprised when I heard the cute sound effects and music added to the game. It is as suitable as can be and enhances the game in its way.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Super Cat Tales 2 is a really exciting game that can keep you engrossed for hours. As you progress through the game and get new abilities, you can always go back to previous stages to explore hitherto inaccessible areas. I also noticed that the boss could be somewhat hard to kill, but you will get the hang of it. It is better than the original Super Cat Tales and operates on an improved platform.
Overall rating
- Great match between retro and colorful graphics
- Many secrets to find
- Smooth control system.
- Level gating can be annoying
- The intermittent ads can also be frustrating.