Game Thoughts: Catto’s Post Office Is a Short & Sweet Jaunt
Although I gravitate toward long, narrative games I can get lost in for hours (regardless of genre), occasionally I want to play something short, sweet, and warm. Catto’s Post Office, a new casual game from In Shambles Studio and Cult Games, fits that bill perfectly. It took me less than an hour to play through the entire story and I genuinely enjoyed every minute of it.
In Catto’s Post Office, you play the titular character, a gray and white cat who works as a mail carrier. Your goal is to deliver packages throughout the town, though you’ll also be tasked with some side quests along the way. It’s also Catto’s birthday, which everyone in town seems to have forgotten…
Perhaps they just need more time to check their calendars?
Gameplay in Catto’s Post Office
Catto’s Post Office is controller-compatible, but I played with a mouse and keyboard (mostly the latter). Catto isn’t the fastest walker (or sprinter, for that matter), but the town map is small and it only takes a few minutes to traverse its entirety. This balance makes for great pacing around the game’s goals and how long it takes to complete each one.
There are 18 Steam Achievements in Catto’s, though you cannot complete them all in a single run because two pairs are diametrically opposed. There’s a collection goal that seems to be cumulative across playthroughs, so resetting your save and starting again to get the remaining stamps (if that’s your vibe) isn’t a major setback.
In addition to delivering packages to various businesses (and Grandma at the nursing home), you can also hunt for hidden rubber ducks (which transform to look like Catto once you interact with them); play a game of tag; help a friend find their missing package; help a stranger wish upon the stars; and clean up litter scattered around town. These quests require various approaches, which keeps things interesting between deliveries.
The Story and Art Are Excellent
I bought Catto’s Post Office because it’s adorable. The art is bubbly, bright, and beautifully lit, with clean lines and sweet characters. Each person Catto meets is unique from the last both in terms of looks and personality. I particularly loved the owner of the flower shop (aptly named Little Miss Florest) and Gingy, whose fashion sense is unparalleled.
The game’s story is short and sweet, with a linear arc that doesn’t deviate even as you complete side quests. It also has a satisfying conclusion, which I can’t say of every casual game I’ve played.
Overall, I’d compare the playthrough experience to reading a picture book. Catto’s adventure is well-designed, tightly-knit, and sweetly rendered. It left me feeling accomplished and content, which is exactly what I wanted. I particularly appreciated how the credits revealed the cats who inspired the game: Ginger Beer, Kami, and the late Baby.
Some Accessibility Included
Catto’s Post Office is not voiced beyond the cats’ meows, so all dialogue and instructions are text-based. For this reason, blind and low vision players may need a screen reader mod or similar to be able to play. Audio and video controls can be adjusted to suit your needs and because the game is controller-compatible, it should work well with adaptable controllers.
Catto’s Post Office is available for PC via Steam.
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