Once a month we receive a new review code for a hidden cat game here at Gamer Social Club. Whilst we do our utmost to review each and every one of them on their own merit – they are my gaming guilty pleasure – it has become increasingly difficult to provide any variety in critique to the titles.
Cats & Seek titles are smaller, more cutesy and bite size games than Hidden Cats with an identical format. Typically taking around an hour to 100%, Kyoto and Dino Park were fine entries that did little new, but provided a satisfying scratch for the itch. People love the formula, but the question needs to be asked – is it time to cast them to the litter? Or are there still a few lives to claw on to? Our review of Cats & Seek: Tokyo.
Gameplay
I’m almost entirely out of words to describe ‘cats’ games in any other way. They’re hidden object games where players are tasked with finding hundreds of cute hand-drawn cats and other objects across small-scale maps. Themed on either a global location like Tokyo in this title, or a seasonal event such as Christmas, it’s the art that keeps them distinct.
Simple and accessible to anyone who may have never even played a video game, you scroll around the map clicking on all the items you’re tasked with finding. Be it tucked away in the corner of a shop window, or blending in with an anime character, the cats can find themselves anywhere. It’s an addictive gameplay loop that doesn’t outstay its welcome.
The Cats & Seek series, within the wider ‘cats’ game space, is a soft point of entry. Typically easier to locate all kitties than Hidden Cats, Cats & Seek: Tokyo’s six stages have just over 100 cats each. It’ll take the average casual player around 10-15 minutes per stage to locate each cat and all of the stamps.
Stamps are the new addition in this entry, but don’t get excited. The stamps allow you to create your own art as side content. After less than 2 minutes I’d called it a day. I appreciate the developer trying to add something new, but didn’t see any value in this whatsoever.
Art and Audio
As mentioned earlier, it’s the art and design that keeps ‘cats’ games somewhat fresh. I love seeing what developers do with recreating international locations using their artistic style. Much like Kyoto, this is a pretty, hand-drawn version of six known locations from the world’s former largest city. The areas of downtown, a swan boat park space and a shopping district are distinct and charming.
On audio, whilst the game is less than a price of coffee, the lack of a new theme tune was a little disappointing. There is some track selection, but I’d expect a new short jingle-y tune per new title.
Conclusion
I have come to terms that the ‘cats’ formula isn’t going to change – how could it? Yet I keep going back for a regular fix. It’s the art that keeps me and many others coming back, and the six areas of Tokyo are lovely here.
Though I admit, the fatigue is really starting to set in and it might be time for a temporary break. Additions like painting or creating images with stamps aren’t going to entertain anyone for more than a few minutes. Cats & Seek: Tokyo is worth your time for a snack size hidden object game, and if you like the cats, there’s more here for you.
Cats and Seek: Kyoto releases as a budget title for Xbox One and Series X/S on May 20, 2026, with PlayStation 4/5 and Nintendo Switch releases on May 21. The game is also available on Steam.
This review was played on Xbox Series X. Thank you to publisher, Silesia Games for the review code.
