Copycat casts you as Dawn, a shelter cat adopted by an elderly woman named Olive. What begins as a gentle story of companionship soon unfolds into a nuanced exploration of memory, loss, and the bonds we share—human and animal alike. From the "selection" process at the start (when Olive picks Dawn from a variety of rescue cats at a shelter after she is dumped there by the Suther family who mistreated her) to the end of this short game, I think you'll be captivated–or possibly cattivated.
What truly makes Copycat shine is its emotional depth: it tackles heavy themes such as Olive’s declining health and the loss of her marbles, her awful daughter Mae's dislike of cats and Dawn’s existential confusion when another cat bearing her exact likeness appears. There are also deep mysteries, such as why Olive keeps food in the bathroom...
The cat mechanics are delightfully authentic—you’ll leap onto shelves, knock off various objects, and even indulge in the oddly satisfying ritual of shredding toilet paper. Only Stray and Little Kitty, Big City have done cat "things" better. You move Dawn with the left stick, jump with "A", run with "RB", meow with "Y" and look around with the right stick–it's very simple and instinctive.
Dawn’s dream sequences, where she transforms into a majestic wildcat, feel like surreal vignettes that heighten the contrast between fantasy and the gritty realism of her everyday life. Layered on top of it all is a charming, Discovery Channel nature-documentary style narration and immersive ambient sound that breathe life into both cozy domestic moments and tense street encounters.
While Copycat’s narrative richness is undeniable, its gameplay feels light by comparison. Platforming controls can come across as floaty, and certain quick-time events overstay their welcome. Visually, the game is competent but no more, and human character models' animation sometimes drifts into dodgy robotic movement territory. At just three to four hours, the experience is relatively short, so players hungry for deeper exploration or replayability might find it all too brief. Having said that, there are several missable achievements, some of which are quite tricky, which makes the option to chapter select very welcome.
Copycat isn’t just another “cat simulator.” It's an abandoned pet's crisis of identity and belonging, delivered through feline eyes. It may lack the polish of higher-budget titles, but I think its heartfelt storytelling will resonate long after the credits roll—especially if you’ve ever loved a pet or felt like an outsider trying to find your place in the world. It's hard to believe this is the first game from a small indie developer (Spoonful of Wonder), and another relevant factor in my review score is the price of only £12.49, for which you certainly get your money's worth.
Many thanks to Spoonful of Wonder, Neverland Entertainment and Pirate PR for the review code.