Review: Cat Quest III (Nintendo Switch)

As the name implies, Cat Quest III is the third outing for this action-adventure series. The first outing hit the scene back in 2017, followed by a sequel two years later. We’ve had to wait five long years for this third entry. Thanks to a few neat changes, it’s been well worth the wait.

As with previous entries, you don the role of an anthropomorphic cat on the hunt for glory. Your task is to traverse an overworld riddled with enemies and treasure in equal abundance. Along the way, you’ll take down other animal-based foes in real-time combat, collecting as much loot as you can.

This fast-paced action remains present and accounted for in Cat Quest III. To keep things fresh, this time around you’re not confined to solely land-based travel. Your cat-venturer can now sail the seas, hopping from island to island to continue that search for treasure.

With that in mind, this outing’s cat takes the form of a pirate. This aesthetic suits the treasure-hunting narrative perfectly, even if cats sailing through water seems counter-intuitive. The plot involves a hidden treasure known as the Northern Star. Your goal is to find this treasure before the fearsome Pi-rat King. 

Speaking of rats who double as pirate kings, Cat Quest III is full of such puns. The narrative moves along briskly, with plenty of humor sprinkled throughout. It keeps things light and entertaining, making this an accessible game for players of all ages. The difficulty settings help there, too, allowing you to choose between one of three settings that can make things a breeze (or not).

Side quests are part and parcel of every Cat Quest, and this one is no different. Along the way, you’ll find hidden caves and critters in distress. Plundering those caves or helping those critters leads to, you guessed it, rewards. There’s also a neat list of pirate bosses to tick off your list with a sizable bounty waiting to be collected once you dispose of them. Although the story isn’t particularly long, these side quests keep you busy and create a reason to replay.

Another part of the fun is upgrading your kitty. This is done via a robust section of the menu, allowing you to swap weapons, armor, and magic. You can also assign badges to further enhance your stats, as well as upgrade your ship. There are many possible combinations, creating an exciting area of experimentation as you unlock more and more.

Cat Quest III introduces local co-op to the series. Two players can now join the adventure, with the ability to drop in and out at any time. I love that both players are treated equally, meaning they have the same abilities and can upgrade individually. It feels like a robust addition to the series, and it’s an enjoyable way to play.

Graphically, things look splendid. The entire game has a colorful, cartoon-like quality that complements its 2.5D display. The Cat Quest series has always sported a nifty style that is retained here. The catchy soundtrack adds to the ambience of a swashbuckling good time.

Overall, Cat Quest III is a fantastic addition to a terrific series. Local co-op adds an entirely new way to play with a buddy, and the sea-faring narrative keeps things feeling fresh, too. A humorous story coupled with fast-paced action makes this one a fun time all round.