Copycat Review PS5 Review (PlayStation)
The indie game scene certainly has a penchant for the niche, and a curious trend has emerged: games where you inhabit the paws of a feline. Titles like Stray, Little Kitty, Big City, and the eagerly awaited Peace Island come to mind, even alongside the wonderfully bizarre CATO: Buttered Cat. So, Copycat, the debut offering from Australian studio Spoonful of Wonder, releasing this month on PlayStation 5, finds itself in familiar, albeit specific, company. This heartwarming tale centers on Dawn, a cat navigating her new life with Olive, a kind elderly woman seeking companionship in her later years, and her subsequent unexpected journey through the city streets.
On the PlayStation 5, Copycat benefits from the console’s immersive capabilities. The DualSense controller subtly conveys Dawn’s movements and interactions with the environment, from the gentle purr felt through the haptics as she snuggles with Olive to the distinct feedback when she scratches furniture or pounces on a stray insect. The enhanced audio capabilities of the PS5 further enrich Daniel Bunting’s atmospheric soundtrack and the nature documentary-style narration, drawing you deeper into Dawn’s world. Visually, the slightly stylized graphics are presented in crisp detail, and the smooth performance on the PS5 enhances the overall fluidity of Dawn’s animations as she explores her surroundings.
The game unfolds in two distinct halves. Initially, as Dawn settles into Olive’s home, her wild instincts clash with her new domesticity. This first part sees you engaging in typical cat behaviors – playfully batting at objects, sharpening claws on the sofa, and stealthily acquiring snacks, all while the narrator humorously interprets Dawn’s primal urges. While these early sequences can feel somewhat guided, they are undeniably charming. The moments when Dawn’s untamed nature peeks through, underscored by tribal-inspired music, beautifully illustrate her internal conflict as she grapples with the comfort of home and her ingrained instincts, likely shaped by past hardships. This contrast makes the emotional impact of the second half all the more profound when Dawn is abruptly thrust into the harsh reality of the outside world, abandoned after a case of mistaken identity.
It’s in this second act that Copycat‘s core themes truly resonate. Stripped of her newfound security and the affection of Olive, Dawn begins to understand the true value of belonging and love. Her encounters with indifferent or hostile humans highlight the vulnerability of abandoned house cats. The game poignantly weaves together the ideas of family, belonging, and love, ultimately centering on the profound significance of “home.” One particularly striking moment finds a despondent Dawn, questioning her purpose, sitting in the middle of a road as a car approaches – a scene that deeply resonated with my own struggles with mental health, highlighting the game’s surprising capacity for empathy.
The narrative and its powerful themes are expertly conveyed through exceptional voice acting, Bunting’s evocative soundtrack, and a unique graphical style that balances realism with a touch of whimsy. This artistic approach, reminiscent of other thoughtful indie titles, works in perfect harmony with the voiceover and music, immersing you completely in Dawn’s perspective as she navigates her world.
Final Thoughts?
While the indie market is no stranger to artistic and emotionally resonant games, Copycat on PlayStation 5 stands out as a truly special experience. The enhanced immersion offered by the DualSense controller and the console’s technical capabilities elevate Dawn’s poignant journey, tugging at your heartstrings with the delicate precision of a Spanish guitarist. If you share your life with a feline companion, prepare to hold them a little tighter after experiencing this moving tale. Among the ever-growing litter of cat-centric games, Copycat on PS5 is undoubtedly a top-tier purrformer.
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