On almost a monthly basis publisher Silesia Games are releasing a new Hidden Cats in insert city title, or associated spin off. The Cats and Seek sub-franchise is a series of smaller cat-hunting games that are a lighter completion than their Hidden Cats counterpart. Smaller in scale, but no less adorable the kitties have taken us to Osaka and more recently, Dino Park (read our review) for a game of hide and seek.
Japan is a popular spot for the latest cat hunting games, just two weeks ago Hidden Cats in Tokyo released, which in our review we called a return to form after a few lacklustre entries including the poor Hidden Cat Outlaws.
The cats have now run off to Kyoto and have a few new tricks up their sleeve. Here’s our review of Cats and Seek: Kyoto.
Gameplay – Small Additions to the Cat-alogue
Cats and Seek: Kyoto doesn’t reinvent the much-loved, easy to play formula of cat hunting that keeps me and many others coming back.
If you’ve not played a cat hunting game before, they’re simply hidden object games. Gorgeous drawn backgrounds based on the city they’re based on, with hundreds of adorable cats hidden away. Moving your cursor around the screen, it’s your task to find them all and the other hidden objects the developers have left for us.
I’ve reviewed an array of ‘cat hunters’ at Gamer Social Club and each time I’ve used the similarity of ‘Where’s Wally’ (or ‘Where’s Waldo’). Always budget in price but by no means lazily put together, there’s a relaxed evening of fun to play on your own, or in couch co-op.
Kyoto however is a very content-lite entry with only 2 levels and just over 200 cats to locate. I don’t necessarily think more is better for this genre but for a famed, iconic city like Kyoto I believe the developers should have stretched to at least one more stage.
This entry introduces a handful of new little features to the genre that haven’t appeared before. First, I really did like the addition of the camera / painting mode which allows players to take a virtual picture of a section and paint to their chosen colour palette. With functions like paint fill, you can find tranquility in making Kyoto look beautiful in any way you so wish. I do hope this returns for future ‘cats’ titles.
Seasoned cat hunters will have played entries which feature cameos from real life cats. Cats and Seek: Kyoto turns it up a little, with each cat being named and having their own short bio and owners names included. Some of them are really cute and it’s kudos to the developers for enabling the passionate community to feel part of the game.
There are also pieces of a short puzzle to be found across the two levels and pieced together after. A simple puzzle that won’t take you more than 5 minutes, but a worthwhile add on.
Audio – Meowsic
A relaxed soundtrack is the staple of cat hunting games, making the games feel as cosy as they’re intended to be. We’re able to select one of four tracks to unwind with as we listen for that ever-sweet meow of found felines. This is the 16th ‘cats’ game I’ve completed on Xbox and the purrs, meows and cries from the puss puss’s remains as delightful as it was the first time.
The four tracks in the title are all peaceful pieces of music that won’t outstay their welcome in your 45 minute – 1 hour completion playtime.
Graphics and Visuals – Looking Good, Feline Good
Hidden Cats and it’s sister titles are always gorgeously drawn. Glorious backgrounds depict the location they’re based on and Kyoto is no different. Beautiful Japanese gardens, streets and other urban locations in the cutesy cartoon art-style these games are famous for. The people of Kyoto wear an array of Japanese cultural dress and blend in wonderfully.
You’re able to tweak the colour palette of the game to your liking, though I found the standard blue on white to be just lovely and – for someone who is mildly colourblind – easy to spot the cats I was after.
Summary – Fun, But Not Quite Pawfect
Cats and Seek: Kyoto is another cats game that offers micro advances to the genre. The new painting mode and cat bios add something welcome and I hope they return.
The core gameplay remains the same as its always been. Kyoto was a pleasure to virtually visit, though this entry is a short one that should have had at least one more stage.
I can recommend Cats and Seek: Kyoto if you’re a genre veteran like myself, though if you’re new to hunting cats, there are many better places to get started.
Cats and Seek: Kyoto releases as a budget title for Xbox One and Series X/S on October 8 2025, with PlayStation 4/5 and Nintendo Switch releases on October 9 2025. The game is also available on Steam.
This review was played on Xbox One X. Thank you to publisher, Silesia Games for the review code.
