The Cat Quest series, developed by The Gentlebros, has become a favorite among gamers of all ages with its charming take on the action RPG genre. As anticipation builds for the release of Cat Quest 3, studio CEO, artist, and designer Desmond Wong shares insight into what fans can expect from the new installment and what the future holds for The Gentlebros.
The most significant addition to Cat Quest 3 is the introduction of a fully controllable pirate ship. This feature allows players to navigate the waters of the 'Purribean' with ease and style, enhancing the explorative aspect of the game. Wong emphasized that the pirate ship controls smoothly and differs from maritime travel in other games, providing a unique experience. This change is part of a broader effort to refresh the game’s mechanics and systems, ensuring that everything from combat to exploration feels updated and engaging.
Combat in the game has been tightened, with improved feedback during fights, making battles more satisfying. A new weapons swap feature lets players toggle between melee and long-range weapons, adding depth to combat strategies. Additionally, the co-op system has been updated to eliminate the need for an AI partner, allowing a new character, the Purrcaneer, to join in when multiplayer is activated.
Asked about the decision to adopt a pirate theme, Wong explained that the concept was part of the original vision for the Cat Quest universe. Each kingdom was planned early on, and the pi-rats were always intended to sail the Purribean seas, making the theme a natural progression for the series.
Players can expect a substantial adventure in Cat Quest 3, with the main story taking around 10 hours and a complete playthrough potentially extending to 20 hours. This duration does not include the additional gameplay available through the New Game+ mode, which has been restructured to allow players to retain all levels and armor from their initial playthrough and offers a special quest item that speeds up progress to the final boss.
The development team has grown since the first Cat Quest game, now consisting of eight members, up from the original three co-founders. This expansion has allowed the team to incorporate more diverse ideas and content into the game, enriching the overall experience.
Wong revealed that The Gentlebros have ambitious plans for the Cat Quest series, with a roadmap envisioning up to nine games, symbolically linked to the idea that cats have nine lives. The success of Cat Quest 3 will play a crucial role in determining how quickly the studio will move forward with subsequent titles.
Reflecting on the warm reception of the Cat Quest series by critics and players alike, Wong expressed gratitude and delight at seeing their creations resonate with such a broad audience. The feedback has been both heartwarming and motivating, encouraging the team to keep innovating and improving with each new title.
Lessons from previous installments have significantly shaped the development of Cat Quest 3. For example, while Cat Quest 2 expanded on the original by introducing a co-op system, it followed closely in the footsteps of its predecessor in many respects. For the third game, however, The Gentlebros aimed to reimagine and rebuild established systems to offer a fresh yet familiar experience, even tweaking camera angles to refresh the visual and exploratory experience.
Looking ahead, while The Gentlebros have plans for a Cat Quest 4, they are also keen to explore new projects that differ from the Cat Quest series. In closing, Wong extended heartfelt thanks to all the fans and players of Cat Quest, whose support has been vital to the franchise's success. He hopes players will enjoy Cat Quest 3 and the new elements it brings to the series when it launches on August 8th.
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