You absolutely should not take this cat home - and that’s exactly what makes this indie psychological horror game so captivating.
This deceptively simple visual novel starts in a rain-soaked alley where you encounter a seemingly ordinary cat in a cardboard box. Despite the game’s title serving as an explicit warning, you’re immediately drawn into making that first crucial choice: Will you heed the warning, or let curiosity get the better of you?
The game’s impact lies in its masterful psychological manipulation:
- What begins as a chance encounter with a stray cat spirals into a dark narrative featuring 39 distinct endings, plus one hidden “true” ending that will haunt players long after they’ve finished
- The story unfolds through 32,000 words of carefully crafted dialogue, creating an atmosphere thick with dread and uncertainty
- Each playthrough reveals new layers of the mystery, encouraging multiple attempts to uncover the full scope of this surreal tale
The game’s strength comes from its ability to turn a simple premise - helping a stray cat - into a thought-provoking exploration of choice and consequence. Through atmospheric visuals, original music, and interactive elements, players find themselves questioning their every decision as the story takes increasingly dark turns.
Whether you’re a fan of psychological horror or narrative-driven games, this title offers a uniquely unsettling experience that proves sometimes the most frightening choices are the ones that seem kindest at first glance.
Choices That Shape the Story
I’ve played through Do NOT Take This Cat Home multiple times now, and I’m still finding new paths. The game hit me with a simple choice at first: there’s this cat in a dark alley, just sitting there in a box. But that’s where simple ends and weird begins.
You’ll face split-second choices that branch into completely different stories. Should you pet the cat? Talk to it? Or just walk away? Each option opens new doors - some leading to safety, others to… well, let’s just say there are reasons for those warnings.
| Choice Type | Possible Outcomes |
|---|---|
| Initial Encounter | Walk away, Help cat, Take home |
| Communication | Speak, Listen, Ignore |
| Action Paths | Safe routes, Risky paths, Hidden options |
Immersive Features and Gameplay
The game pulls you in with its eerie soundtrack. I found myself jumping at small sounds while playing. Every shadow felt wrong somehow. The devs packed this game with 32,000 words of story content, but it’s how they use those words that gets under your skin.
“The cat’s eyes seem to follow you, even when you’re not looking at the screen.” - Steam review
You’ll find mini-games scattered throughout - each one more unsettling than the last. The art style shifts between cute and creepy so smoothly you might not notice at first. But you will. Oh, you will.
A Thought-Provoking Experience
Playing Do NOT Take This Cat Home made me question my own decision-making. Why did I keep trying to help when all signs said stop? The game doesn’t just tell a story - it holds up a mirror.
The devs wove in themes of trust and responsibility so skillfully that you might not catch them on your first run. Or your fifth. Each of the 39 endings (plus that one hidden “true” ending) adds another layer to the psychological puzzle.
Why You Shouldn’t Take This Cat Home
Here’s the thing about this cat - it wants you to take it home. But I learned the hard way that wanting isn’t the same as should. The game throws red flags at you:
- Strange markings appearing on your walls
- Phone calls from unknown numbers
- Your reflection acting… different
- Time skips that don’t make sense
Psychological horror games often use pets as a hook. This one? It uses that trust against you.
The Consequences of Ignoring Warnings
I’ve seen what happens when you ignore the signs. The game tracks every choice, building toward consequences that feel earned. Some players reported needing breaks between sessions - not from gore or jump scares, but from the creeping dread.
| Warning Sign | Early Game | Late Game |
|---|---|---|
| Cat’s Behavior | Slightly odd | Deeply disturbing |
| Environment | Subtle changes | Reality warping |
| Player’s Role | Potential savior | Possible victim |
Conclusion
“Do NOT Take This Cat Home” stands as a masterclass in psychological manipulation through gaming. Behind its simple facade - a rain-drenched alley and a stray cat - lies an intricate web of choices that pulls players deeper into darkness with each decision. The game transforms a basic act of kindness into a haunting narrative spanning 39 distinct paths, with a hidden “true” ending that lingers in players’ minds long after the screen goes dark.
Through 32,000 words of narrative, players find themselves second-guessing every choice, as seemingly innocent decisions spiral into psychological terror. The game’s genius lies not in jump scares or gore, but in its ability to make players question their own judgment. Those who brave multiple playthroughs discover that each ending adds another piece to a disturbing puzzle, proving that sometimes the most terrifying choices are those made with the best intentions.
The title itself serves as both warning and temptation - a perfect metaphor for the game’s core message about the price of ignoring red flags. For fans of psychological horror seeking something beyond traditional scares, this indie gem offers a stark reminder: not every stray cat needs saving, and not every act of mercy leads to salvation.
