You’ve probably seen them around or maybe even played one yourself. I’m talking about merge games, and Cloudy with a Chance of Kittens is one of those. You drop an item, merge it with the exact same one, and it upgrades. Usually, it just gets bigger. You keep going until you reach the final version. It’s kind of like drawing a mandala. Oddly satisfying and repetitive in a calming way.
This is exactly the kind of game I secretly get totally hooked on. The kind you always keep on your phone and open at least once a day. This time, I played Cloudy with a Chance of Kittens, a cat-themed twist on the Suika-style puzzle genre. The game is developed and published by Ninja Chompek. You combine two identical kittens, get a bigger version, and try to build chains while aiming for a new high score. But be careful. There is a line that shows how full your board can get. If you go past it, you’re out. This review was written while the game was still in pre-release. We got the chance to play it early.
A Little History
It all started in 2021 with a simple Chinese browser game called Merge Big Watermelon. It looked basic but turned out to be surprisingly addictive. It was picked up by the Japanese company AladdinX, who released their own version on the Nintendo Switch later that same year. They called it Suika Game and released it through the Japanese Nintendo eShop. In 2023, the game got a global release. From that point on, it exploded in popularity. It became huge on Twitch and TikTok. Not long after, new versions with different themes began to appear. That brings us to this super cute cat version.
Not Your Standard Merge Game
This merge game does things a bit differently. The kittens are not only adorable and dessert-shaped, but the game also includes power-ups. You can shrink big cats, remove cats that block your merges, or influence the weather to boost your combos and scores. These features give it a different strategic feel compared to other merge games.
You can also pick how you want to play. Do you feel like a relaxed round or are you up for a challenge? You can go at your own pace without time limits or obstacles. But if you want more tension, you can choose a mode with a countdown timer, falling objects, and changing weather conditions. There are three modes available: Relaxed, Survival, and Weather Mode. In Weather Mode, you have to deal with wind, clouds, and even heavy rain. There is also a scoreboard where you can see how your friends are doing and try to beat their scores.
One thing that really makes this game stand out is the use of dynamic physics. The kittens bounce, spin, and have different weights. That makes the game feel different from other versions. I’m still not sure whether I like that more or less. I’m used to the original style, so the bouncing kittens threw me off at first. But that might actually be part of the charm. In the end, it depends on your personal preference.
Sound and Visuals
The game has chill background music. It reminds me of the kind of soft tune you hear in an elevator, but in a good way. The sound effects are fun and really well done. Everything on screen feels like it fits together. The bouncing and merging feel surprisingly real. Visually, it looks great. It is super cute, makes me happy, and somehow even makes me a bit hungry.
Final Thoughts
Cloudy with a Chance of Kittens is not just another merge game. You notice that right away. The cute cats, the dessert theme, the power-ups, and the weather effects that suddenly change everything make it feel fresh. I had to get used to the bouncy physics, but the game definitely has its own charm. Whether you want a relaxing game session or something more intense with falling objects and a ticking clock, you can choose what suits your mood. The different modes help keep things interesting. If you enjoy merge games and want to try a version with more chaos, more color, and a lot more cats, then this is one you should definitely check out. You might just end up as hooked as I am.
Looking for more reviews to read? Be sure to visit this page and discover a wide range of informative and insightful reviews. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to gain valuable insights and make informed decisions.
