Catacrawl is a 2D action roguelike that puts players in control of a cat fighting endless waves of enemies on PC. The core loop centers on short, intense runs through generated maps filled with hostile creatures, where survival depends on quick decisions, mouse-aimed abilities, and adapting to new powers each attempt.
Gameplay
Each run begins with a single attack and limited options on a procedurally generated map. Players collect three boons per level and choose one to keep, which might increase damage, add elemental effects, or grant a unique ability that changes how the run unfolds. The first boss appears around the five-minute mark, followed by a final boss at ten minutes that concludes the attempt. Death does not reset everything. Players retain their levels, loot, and half their coins for the next run, creating steady progression across multiple attempts.
Combat emphasizes readable enemy patterns. Every monster has its own attack with a clear telegraph, such as roots growing underfoot from treants or tongues lashing from toads. Balloons track movement rather than position. The environment adds pressure through defend zones that spawn formations, side quests, shrines, traps, and hazards like sandstorms. A Warden can appear to issue three trials after clearing a map. Loot drops on the floor for immediate pickup, and the fast pace keeps runs focused and replayable.
Game Modes
The game structures play around repeated runs that build toward stronger characters over time. Three stages are available in Early Access, each with distinct monsters, bosses, and music. Two additional stages remain in development: the White Cube, where museum exhibits turn hostile, and The Feed. Runs last about ten minutes to the final boss, and the keep-progression system encourages repeated attempts without starting from zero. Side activities like shrines and quests appear within stages but tie directly into the main run structure rather than separate modes.
Classes and Progression
Three cat classes are playable now, with more planned. The Ranger uses curving arrows, poisons, traps, and a hunting falcon. The Sorceress focuses on burning, freezing, and electrocuting effects. The Barbarian relies on thrown axes, leaps, and powerful screams. Across all classes sit 91 skills organized in Diablo-style synergy trees. Players earn six hotbar slots and expand their options through persistent skill tree growth that carries across runs. Early Access players can vote on the order of future classes, and ongoing balance adjustments respond directly to how people play the existing options.
Is It Worth Playing?
Catacrawl suits players who enjoy roguelikes with short, repeatable sessions and meaningful carry-over between deaths. The ten-minute run length keeps sessions accessible, while the boon choices and persistent levels reward experimentation with skill synergies. Early Access means three stages and three classes are ready, with two more stages and additional classes in active development. Balance changes continue based on player feedback, and the core combat loop with telegraphed attacks and environmental threats remains the focus. Those who like building power through repeated attempts in an action RPG framework will find the current version offers a solid foundation for ongoing runs.
