The June 2023 edition of Steam Next Fest has wrapped, but it gave PC gaming fans a chance to get hands on with hundreds of demos for upcoming titles, especially from indie developers. Of the releases we’ve been keeping an eye on, we were hit in the feels by poignant narrative cooking game Venba (demo still available); and captivated by DON’T NOD’s climbing-centred action puzzle game Jusant (demo here), which has a similar energy, if not gameplay, to recent release Planet of Lana.

What we were most excited to try for ourselves, though, was Little Kitty, Big City, a wholesome adventure with a black cat protagonist – which is the debut release from Seattle-based Double Dagger Studios. Little Kitty, Big City first caught our attention back in 2021 via the Wholesome Snack showcase.

Now, we loved last year’s Stray, where a ginger cat and their drone companion navigate a forgotten robot city. At the same time, though, for all the familiar feline behaviour that appeared in the game, we wanted something a bit more reality based and relatable. Which is where Little Kitty, Big City zoomies into the picture.

Double Dagger’s game is set in a present day city – a pitch-perfect replica of urban Japan, for extra visual freshness – and sees its mischievous lead character on a mission to get back to their high-rise apartment home. Except, being a cat, they are easily distracted. And the city is full of other interesting creatures to meet (like an inventor tanuki), and things to do (like catch-and-release bird hunting).

The major charm of Little Kitty, Big City is that it embraces the quirky behaviour of domestic cats. It’s certainly present as a mechanic in the upcoming game. For example, running under the feet of phone-focused commuters will cause them to drop their belongings, which you can scuttle off with. And level progress is gated by puddles of water and a feisty shiba inu. However, the feline idiosyncrasies are also present… just because. Knocking pots off walls. Padding over an artist’s canvas with paint-smeared paws. Dipping into the emote menu that includes actions like “big stretchie.” What more could you want from a cat game?

Of course, it remains to be seen if Little Kitty, Big City relies a bit too much on its cute central concept to carry players through, and keep them engaged. The demo suggests that gameplay will be a combination of nimble exploration and ticking off a shopping list of tasks, both mandatory and optional. We’re talking a bunch of fetch quests, and collectibles hunting, which can be a little one-note, and quickly start to feel tiresome.

Then again, players are probably not expecting The Meowst of Us Part III. Games cover the full genre, emotional and needs fulfilment spectrum, and Double Dagger has promised an adorable, light-hearted and relaxed experience which you can play at your own pace, your way. All of those elements are present in the demo, which really shines humour-wise. At the same time, Little Kitty, Big City looks to be for players of all ages, and there are no worries about scenes showing animal distress or death. The game is also not at all demanding PC system-wise, so many players will be able to get in on the four-pawed shenanigans.

All in all, Little Kitty, Big City is shaping up as feel-good, fun escape from reality. With a good diversity of things to do in different urban spaces, a tight focus so the game doesn’t overstay its welcome, and some bug squashing (which the developers are hard at work on), this is going to a be a wholesome treat – especially for cat lovers.

Little Kitty, Big City is set for release next year, in 2024, and will be coming to PC, Nintendo Switch and Xbox consoles, as well as Xbox and PC Game Pass on day one of release.