Taking care of cats isn’t exactly something that constitutes as fun. Sure they can be great to take care of, if you’re a cat person, but what if you aren’t? What then? Well, the answer to this question is Neko Atsume. It’s an app that is available through the App Store or Google Play and it is adorable. Even dog people can get addicted to this app, for the cute art style and cat designs can really bring people in.
It all starts out with a part of the yard available, with the first food item for free; all that is needed to be done is put the Thrifty Bitz into the food bowl and then close the app. After about an hour passed, go back to app, and be in awe. The first kitten, Snowball, will be sitting there, looking like a little ball of cotton fluff. After observing the adorable kitten, tap on the camera option and take a picture, then close the app once again. Once a sizable amount of time has passed, open it once more and Snowball will have left fish! Fish are essential to the game for they allow upgrades and purchasing of better items to allow a bigger variety of cats to come.
Now, it sounds extremely boring, but once the first week is done, the amount of care towards this very simple app is incredible. The more progression that’s made, the more anger there is because: “Oh no! Tubbs ate all of the Frisky Bits! Those were just put out!” and “Just give me your momentum you cheapskate!” Somehow, this anger just turns into motivation of trying and checking the cats almost every time the app is closed.
It does take a while build up the world (personally I started a little before Thanksgiving Break and I still haven’t collected all of the cats yet), but reflecting back to those times of old is always a fun time for all.
While Neko Atsume, which translates to Cat Gathering in English, isn’t exactly a full on game that’s played, it doesn’t have to be to feel complete. Albeit it is simple in nature, it’s purpose is clear and it’s a nice little side thing to have going on and just to check up on occasionally. I recommend it greatly as it’s a free app (if in app purchases aren’t made, but they really aren’t at all necessary to progress in the game at all) that will keep your interest for quite a while, unlike others apps that are often dropped within days of starting it. Neko Atsume is everything that is needed to have a great time.
Bye meow!
10/10
Britt Stone//Graphics Dept.
