Cats, breeding, turn-based tactics and roguelite progression might sound like an unusual combination, but Mewgenics has already proved that there is method behind the madness. The feline-focused tactical adventure has now dug its claws into Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation and Nintendo Switch, following its earlier PC launch on Steam.
Created by Edmund McMillen Games, the team behind The Binding of Isaac and The End is Nigh, and published by Nicalis Inc., Mewgenics puts players in charge of building an increasingly ridiculous – and hopefully powerful – feline dynasty.
So yep, there is plenty of reason for cat-loving strategy fans to take notice.
At A Glance
- Release: Available now on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation and Nintendo Switch
- Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, PC
- Price: £33.49
- Developer: Edmund McMillen Games
- Publisher: Nicalis
Welcome to the Cat Breeding Business
Mewgenics isn’t simply about assembling a group of cats and sending them into battle. The real fun begins with what happens between those adventures.
Players can selectively breed different cats, with surviving members of the squad able to produce new generations. Traits, abilities, illnesses and mutations can all be passed down, creating an elaborate family tree where every breeding decision could have consequences further down the line.
The ultimate goal is to engineer a feline lineage capable of taking on the game’s increasingly challenging adventures.
Of course, nature doesn’t always cooperate.
Mutations Can Be a Mixed Blessing
Mutations can provide cats with unusual powers, but they can also introduce troublesome handicaps. That means creating the perfect cat isn’t necessarily as straightforward as simply combining the strongest traits.
Players can also sequester particular cats and decorate their surroundings with items discovered during their adventures. These choices can influence factors such as comfort, health and stimulation, adding another layer to the already rather involved breeding system.
In other words, there is considerably more to managing your cats than making sure they’ve been fed.
Tactical Battles Meet Roguelite Chaos
Once your feline squad is ready, Mewgenics sends them into turn-based tactical battles where positioning, abilities and equipment all matter.
Players can draft abilities and collect items as they progress, giving each run plenty of opportunities to develop differently. The roguelite structure also means that defeat isn’t necessarily the end of the journey – it is another opportunity to rethink your strategy, breed another generation and try again.
That combination gives Mewgenics a potentially enormous amount of replay value, particularly as players experiment with different bloodlines and tactical approaches.
Mewgenics Has Already Made Its Mark on PC
While today’s console launch opens the door for Xbox, PlayStation and Switch players, Mewgenics isn’t exactly an unknown quantity.
The game has already been available on PC through Steam, where it has picked up Very Positive reviews since launching earlier this year. Now console players can get their own chance to discover why this strange mixture of cat management and tactical combat has attracted so much attention.
We’ve also had our own time with Mewgenics on Xbox, awarding it an impressive 4.5/5 in our review.
Our verdict highlighted the breadth of its turn-based combat, the virtually endless replayability provided by its roguelite structure and, perhaps most importantly, the complexity of its breeding system. Rather than simply being another enjoyable indie tactical game, the way Mewgenics asks players to deliberately shape their feline lineage gives it a personality and identity all of its own.
Time to Build the Ultimate Feline Dynasty
Mewgenics certainly isn’t short on ideas, and that’s what makes its arrival on consoles so intriguing. One minute you could be planning a tactical assault, the next you might be worrying about which cats should breed, which traits are worth passing on and whether that bizarre mutation is actually going to help.
With its mixture of turn-based strategy, roguelite progression and surprisingly deep genetics system, there is plenty here for players willing to embrace the chaos.
So, if you’ve ever wondered what would happen if you were given responsibility for creating an army of genetically engineered cats, Mewgenics is finally ready to let you find out.
You’ll find Mewgenics on the usual storefronts. We’ll point you to the Xbox Store (£33.49) so you can download and play on Xbox Series X|S. If you prefer PlayStation, Nintendo Switch or PC, that’s cool by these cats.
