Gato Roboto

In Gato Roboto players control a cat named Kiki. By default, Kiki can climb and jump off of walls, swim in water, and well as fit through small gaps. She is unable to damage enemies or use any other abilities, and dies in one hit. However, while inside of a mech suit (which can be obtained at most save points) she gains multiple hit points, a gun attack, as well as several other upgrades found throughout the game, such as a double jump and a dash ability. Other mechs, including a submarine and a turret, can be found throughout the game.[2][3]

The player's main goal is to enter the lab of the alien planet Kiki is stranded on in order to find a way to free Kiki's owner, Gary. Access to the lab is blocked off until the player clears the planet's aqueducts, heating system, and ventilation system, after doing which they advance to the lab, the final area of the game. Throughout the game's world there are many upgrades, including movement abilities, health upgrades, and cassette tapes which unlock optional color palette swaps for the game's 1-bit graphics.[2][4]

In the distant future, Gary and his cat Kiki are piloting a spaceship to a distress call in an alien planet. While flying towards the planet, Kiki steps on the ship's keyboard causing the ship to crash land. Both survive, but Gary is trapped with the wrecked ship, while Kiki is outside of it. Gary then sends Kiki out to find a mech suit, explore the planet, and find a way to get off of it. Throughout the world Kiki can discover voice logs which speak of a mad scientist obsessed with keeping his sickly dog alive. Additionally, as Kiki clears out the planet's systems to gain access to the lab, they repeatedly encounter a talking rat, who is eventually revealed to be the mad scientist, transferred into a different body. He plans to transfer his consciousness into Gary's body, and transfer his dog's consciousness into Kiki's body to save him. After Kiki defeats the scientist, she and the dog escape the planet, leaving the scientist behind.

Gato Roboto was received favorably by critics, aggregating a score of 79/100 on Metacritic.[5] Kyle LeClair of Hardcore Gamer called it a "fun, insane concept" and "simple yet highly fun".[2] In regards to difficulty, IGN Japan said it was "more difficult than you would expect from a game that stars a cute cat in mech armor, but it’s well worth it if you’re up for the challenge."[6]

• Official website