Cython Cat

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Cython Cat is a small free platformer that caught my attention because it mixes fast movement with a cute cat and a surprisingly open world. I play as Miru and explore the Cython Ruins while looking for shards, keys and furballs that let me open up more of the map. The main idea is pretty simple, but I like that the game is built around moving quickly instead of slowly working through traditional platforming sections. There is also combat, exploration and a little bit of a darker atmosphere underneath the cute character design. The movement is easily my favourite part. Miru can move around at high speed, and the game uses physics based movement and slopes to make travelling through the world feel more energetic. I like games where simply getting from one place to another can be fun, and Cython Cat does have moments where I am more focused on keeping my speed than worrying about the next objective. The open world also gives me some freedom to explore instead of forcing me down one completely fixed route. There is more to find than just the main path too. Shards, keys and furballs are scattered around the Cython Ruins, and finding them helps me access different parts of the world. The Jungle Temple also gives me a separate speedrunning challenge where I can try to get a better rank. I like having that because it gives the movement a proper reason to exist. I can explore normally when I want to, then switch into trying to move as quickly and efficiently as possible when I want more of a challenge. The combat is where I think the game is less convincing. Fighting enemies fits the Metroidvania and action platformer idea, but it does not feel as developed as the movement. There are different enemies to deal with and a final boss called Terru, but the combat is fairly basic compared with the more interesting parts of exploring and moving around. I never felt like the fighting was the main reason I wanted to continue. It works well enough as something to break up the platforming, but I think the game is at its best when I am running around the world. The biggest issue for me is the overall amount of content. Cython Cat is a small project and I can feel that when I play it. The world has some interesting ideas, but there is not enough here for me to get the feeling of a huge Metroidvania adventure. The developers originally talked about a much larger plan for the game, but the released version is more of a compact experience. I actually think that is important to judge fairly because I would rather see what is really here than pretend it is a much bigger game than it is. I also ran into some rough edges that remind me this is a small indie project. The physics based movement can sometimes feel awkward, and the fast movement means that mistakes can be a little annoying when I am trying to control Miru precisely. The game is available for free on PC, Mac and Linux, which makes the limitations much easier for me to accept. I also like that the developers have been open about the game's development and have already talked about making a larger follow up rather than simply leaving the idea behind. Overall, Cython Cat is a charming little platformer that I think has a lot of potential packed into a small package. I really like the fast movement, open world exploration and the idea of combining Sonic style speed with Metroidvania exploration and combat. The combat is fairly simple, the world is not particularly large and the rougher physics can get in the way sometimes, but the game is free and the core movement is fun enough to carry me through the experience. For me, it is a good small adventure that shows a lot of promise without quite having enough content or polish to reach the really high ratings. Rating: 7.3/10