Copycat Reviews
The technical side of the game was buggy at certain parts of the story during my playthrough, but the game truly flourishes when it centers around storytelling.
For a three-hour adventure title, Copycat has something meaningful to say about mental health and relationships, yet it can be too often undercut by its rigid design, story happenings that don't make sense, and the overarching feeling that with more time, polish and backing there's an even greater game trying to burst out here. It's a pleasant and fine game for how short it is in spite of its gratuitous repetition, and deserves kudos for being adequately designed by two people, it's also in need of some significant refinement.
If you own or take care of a pet – or if you have kids who’d like a pet – do yourself a favor and play Copycat in one sitting. Make sure you have tissues ready.
Copycat shoots for the stars with its narrative ambitions, delivering an emotional, introspective experience that will have you reflecting on your relationship to the animals and people in your life. It goes to some truly unexpected places, some of which are questionable, but all of which are compelling. Despite the pieces not quite coming together in perfect harmony, this is an experience that will stick with you for a long time.
The gaming equivalent of an alleycat: it's rough around the edges, but you'll learn to grow fond of it despite its numerous quirks.
Despite some troubled animations and controls, Copycat plays its emotional journey excellently. As a cat owner and someone who has lived somewhat similar events in recent times, its tale of love and loss hit hard, but was a journey worth taking.
Copycat is a game that tackles some serious issues, but its characters are hard to warm to and will make you angry at times. Still, being a cat and doing cat things can be fun, despite clunky controls and uninspired gameplay.
Copycat is a touching experience that invites us to see the world through the eyes of Dawn, a kitten scarred by trauma who seeks to understand her place and purpose in the world. With simple yet varied gameplay, the focus here is not on complex mechanics, but rather on offering a narrative that moves, comforts, and makes us reflect on the true meaning of home.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Copycat has visual charm and enjoyable cat-based gameplay, but with a short runtime and poorly executed story, it isn't worth your time, especially if you love cats.
A Spoonful of Wonder had its heart in the right place, and Copycat earns some of its more emotional moments, but the final message isn’t always clear, and the gameplay holds back what could’ve been a fresh perspective within the genre.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Copycat is a narrative experience. Don't expect the game to convey what it is, or what it feels like to move and do cat things, because you won't find that here. The title focuses on a great narrative with gameplay in the background.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Honestly, I think I need to have a word with Olive and her daughter about what just happened. And while I am having words, I recommend that you give Copycat a try. Whilst the story is an emotional rollercoaster, I think it is an important story to listen to and try for yourself. It is with this in mind that I will be rewarding Copycat with the Thumb Culture Platinum Award.
A simplistic yet beautiful narrative game that purrs out such a strong message in life. CopyCat just simply has to be sat through, and I for one came out of it feeling far more appreciative than before.
Copycat is all about the story and the message it wants to convey. From assumptions you make yourself, to families that would rather see you go than come. And from other cats that are only too happy to take your place and mingle in your 'home'. These life lessons are the highlight of the game, and quickly make you forget the mediocre gameplay , the far from impressive graphics and the slight camera bugs. This is not a high-quality game, but it plays well and gives you a calming feeling, and even brings some emotion here and there. Copycat has been out for the PC for some time now and is now finally playable on the console, and honestly, it is definitely worth it for every cat lover, or anyone considering getting a cat. It makes you realize what responsibilities this entails, and that an animal can also struggle with its emotions.
Review in Dutch | Read full review
There’s a lot to love about Copycat, especially when it comes to the art and voice acting. The dreamscape scenes are a really nice touch, showing us plenty of Shelter-Dawn’s inner thoughts and how she feels throughout the journey. The narration from different voices adds to that feeling, weaving everything together beautifully. And while the Quick Time Events can be a bit tense, they keep you engaged at the right moments.
Copycat is a moving exploration of trust, tolerance, and the bond between humans and animals. Though it struggles with gameplay inconsistencies and technical issues, the narrative and audiovisual presentation are undeniably compelling. Fans of emotionally charged indie games and cat lovers alike will find much to appreciate in this touching story of resilience and belonging. Copycat brilliantly captures the complexities of trust and self-discovery through honest narration and an authentic feline perspective, though its technical missteps and uneven gameplay temper its potential.
Review in Arabic | Read full review
Copycat did what it aimed to do, tell the story through the lens of a cat and leap through a rollercoaster of emotions throughout the narrative. The audio cues made me hone in on my own emotions and guide Dawn to overcome her fears and insecurities. I truly did enjoy the game, as I went back through 1.5 more times to finish the Steam achievements, and did find additional items and minigames each time that I didn’t interact with in my first playthrough. One thing that I did find challenging was the quick time events with one at the very end not allowing me enough time to hit all the correct buttons. Thankfully, the timer went away and allowed me to continue forward. If you are looking for an emotional story to play I recommend pouncing on Copycat.
I love a gaming experience with a side of tear-jerking emotion. In saying that, by opening with the disclaimer of touching on hard topics, I knew ‘Copycat’, by Indie Australian developer, Spoonful Of Wonder, was going to be an interesting ride.
Copycat really was an emotional roller coaster and kind of tough in the way that some emotional movies are hard to watch.The second half of the game picked up the pace and delivered a beautiful ending, but it took some time to get there.
They say cats always land on their feet, and Copycat proves this theory. Copycat brings a grounded and often heartfelt narrative to an authentic Australian setting and brilliantly tells a story of self-discovery. It may be far from purr-fect, but even with a few missteps in the pacing of the narrative and preciseness of the platforming, this is a charming experience that will stay with you for years to come.