Game Review: A cat hero is all we need in Super Phantom Cat by Veewo Games
Cats are the new black and that’s a fact by now. They’re everywhere, from 9gag to FB groups and pages dedicated to the adorable felines. If they could, they would control the world and no one would even complain about it! We’re addicted to cats and we like it. Thus it’s no wonder that many developers have used cats as the main characters of their games. Such a game is Super Phantom Cat which caters to both cat lovers and fans of classic 8- and 16-bit platformers like Super Mario Bros., Donkey Kong Country, and Sonic The Hedgehog. As for me, I’m a simple girl, I see a cat game, I play it.
Plot
Super Phantom Cat tells the story of a small cat named Chemist White that as a child was saved by a hero named Super Phantom Cat, and admired him since then. Years later, another hero, Flash Cat takes Chemist White on a journey to Phantom World, where White learns that he can collect shards and transform to other characters, including his hero Super Phantom Cat and fight against enemies. Join the small feline on this amazing adventure and help him become a hero.
Gameplay
The game is separated in galaxies with each map containing a number of levels which increases as you advance in the next galaxy. To achieve a perfect score in each level you have to collect all 3 stars that are hidden in them. The controls are simple; you tap on the arrows that appear at the bottom left of your screen to move left or right and tap in the arrow at the bottom right of your screen to jump. Later, when you’ll acquire a weapon you’ll be able to fire by tapping that will also appear at the bottom of your screen. That is all in regards to the control system. It is very easy to get used to, very intuitive and the movements are smooth and precise.
The levels consist of colorful geometrical paths, various types of blocks that you can break similar to super Mario, and collect shards from them. Your goal is to collect as many shards as possible as well as stars. Your maximum lives are 3 hearts and you can always find one when you need it hidden in blocks or in secret passages. It is a very enjoyable process and not boring or tiring at all. Different kinds of enemy creatures are also there to block your way but most of them are easy to defeat simply by jumping on them. Of course there are some more difficult ones that require a weapon to beat. The simple ones are the yellow creatures that move slowly and the harder ones are the red creatures that when they sniff you they run your way. You can either jump to avoid or destroy them, or use a weapon. Other enemies include flying bat-like creatures and spiked worm-like creatures that you can only defeat with a weapon. The levels themselves also come with obstacles, mainly gaps with spikes or ones that lead to instant death.
But there are also helpful items waiting for you in each level. Your weapons come in various forms including a bullet sprite and a fireball that destroys instantly any enemy and you can use it as much as you want until you complete the level. You will acquire more as you advance but you can only use one on each level.The friendly robot is also a lovely addition as it helps you jump high to reach collectibles or block paths that are too high. You can even aim where to land on. To transform into another character you need to collect enough data to unlock each one. There are plenty of characters to choose from, including a chicken and even a vampire. There’s a huge variety and many of them have their unique power. I’m in love with the original character, the cat White though so enjoy playing with him more than anything, but it’s really fun changing avatars and trying out different attacks. They’re also really cute and urge you to unlock all of them!
Price and In-app Purchases
Super Phantom Cat is now available on the App Store for $1.99 but there is also an $0.99 IAP in-game which is optional as it is only for unlocking galaxies if you don’t have enough stars. A free-to-play version featuring three $0.99 IAPs will be available soon as well according to the developers.
Graphics & Sounds
The designs are absolutely stunning with crystal clear 2D graphics but the thing that mostly intrigues me is the amazing colors! Honestly, the variety in colors the smoothness and the cute character designs offer an unforgettable mix. It is very pleasant to the eye and calming at the same time. The set is completed with a lovely chiptune soundtrack, which is really fitting not only to the game’s atmosphere but also to the retro style that it follows.
Conclusion
Super Phantom Cat is a platformer that took the retro style and gave it a modern look in order to give the perfect balance between classic and new. The result is an amazing game that will captivate the heart of anyone who decides to give it a try. You don’t have to be a fan of platformers to enjoy it, as it is made in such a way that everyone can appreciate it. The difficulty levels are also low and the only thing you really need to work on is collecting enough data to unlock avatars. The rest is pure fun! Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Super Phantom Cat screenshots above, trailer below
