The visual style is monochrome pixel art reminiscent of 8-bit games from the 80s, but a nice touch is the ability to unlock additional color filters by finding cassettes hidden throughout the game. Visually, the game is extremely simplistic. I downloaded it at the tail end of the release sale for just under $7, but even at the regular price of $8, it’s totally worth the asking price. It’s absolutely worth the price of admission. Gato Roboto is an extremely short game – my playthrough clocked in at just over three and a half hours, and that’s with spending around 45 minutes on one boss – but holy crap, is it good. “Metroid clone” is not meant as a pejorative, though, as doinksoft took most of the things that made the original Metroid great and replicated it…but cuter. When I say that this is a Metroid clone, I meant that in just about every way from gaining rockets to supplement your regular blaster down to having to shoot doors in order to open them. From there, you play as the stupid ass cat in a dope ass mech suit and try to determine the source of the security signal.

As any logical person would in this situation, he sends his pet cat – who has a radio in her collar, for some reason – to find a mech suit and complete the investigation in his place. Because cats suck, his pet cat steps on the control panel and causes the ship to crash, pinning the pilot and leaving him unable to perform his investigation. A space marine type dude was on a patrol mission and picked up a security signal from an abandoned research facility, so he went to investigate.

Forewarning – I hate cats, and my specific word choice will reflect this prejudice. Gato Roboto is basically a bite-sized Metroid clone…if Samus Aran were a small cat. I’m extremely glad I did, too, as the game turned out to be a short but extremely rewarding experience. I was a bit put off my visual style at first – it looked like Undertale, and I loathe that game from overexposure the same way I came to loath Five Nights at Freddy’s – but I stuck with it because of the weight flake’s recommendations carry with me. You’ll love it.” By this point in our friendship, he knows my gaming tastes pretty well, so I took his advice and immediately downloaded the game and fired it up. When I read it, I thought, “Yes, flake, I trust you, but that question in isolation creeps me out…What do you want?” He then said “Download Gato Roboto on Switch. “Do you trust me?” It all started with a text.

Review written by Stephen Deck originally published on Teacher by Day, Gamer by Night

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