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Cats are Liquid - A Light in the Shadows similar games & best alternatives

Cats are Liquid - A Light in the Shadows

PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac, Android, Linux • 2016

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Quick resume

A minimalist 2D platformer about a liquid cat, locked in a world she doesn't quite understand, trying to get out.

Global score

93/100

Genres

Adventure, Indie, Platform

Similar games

    Pros

    • Affordable price with good content length
    • Unique and smooth platforming mechanics
    • Emotional and intriguing story
    • Responsive controls and polished gameplay
    • Calming music and atmosphere

    Cons

    • Some repetitive level design
    • Story can be vague or depressing
    • Lack of multiplayer or social features
    • No character customization or creation tools
    • Some difficulty spikes and minor bugs

    Analysis

    A very typical example of its motivational profile. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Survival, Violence, Fellowship, Expression. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Survival, Value, Thrill.

    How to use the graph
    Similar games map

    Each dot is a game. They are arranged from the same motivation profile as in the “Motivations” section below. Closer dots usually mean more similar reasons to play (exploration, competition, relaxation, etc.)—not that one game is “better” than another.

    • Larger dot with a light outline: the game you are viewing.
    • Colour: groups of games with comparable motivation patterns (statistical clusters).
    • Hover a dot to see the game name; click to open its page.
    • Scroll or double-click the chart to zoom out and see more games.

    Why don’t the axes read like a score? This view uses t-SNE: it only keeps who is close to whom. The scales are not “good to bad” or hours played—they separate groups on the map. Read distance between dots, not the axis numbers.

    Motivations

    • Autonomy
      4

      "Players control the cat's movement and transformation abilities freely to navigate levels, indicating high personal control."

    • Competence
      3

      "The game offers skill-based platforming challenges with responsive controls and some difficult levels, rewarding mastery."

    • Competition
      -4

      "Focus is on individual progression and story; no mention of leaderboards or player-vs-player competition."

    • Continuation
      2

      "Some players report replaying levels and enjoying the story, but the game is relatively short and some find it repetitive."

    • Cooperation
      -5

      "Entirely a single-player experience with no cooperative or multiplayer elements."

    • Creativity
      3

      "Players use unique transformation mechanics creatively to solve puzzles, though no level editor or creation tools."

    • Domination
      -5

      "No elements of exerting power over others; gameplay is solitary and non-confrontational."

    • Escapism
      4

      "Many players mention emotional engagement and stress relief through the game's story and calming gameplay."

    • Expectation
      -4

      "Players buy and play voluntarily for enjoyment and personal interest, not out of obligation."

    • Experimenting
      3

      "The game encourages trying different abilities and mechanics to navigate levels, though some repetition occurs."

    • Exploration
      2

      "Players explore new mechanics and level designs, but environments are abstract and minimalistic with limited discovery."

    • Expression
      -3

      "No character customization or cosmetic modifications; presentation is standardized and minimalistic."

    • Fantasy
      4

      "The game features imaginative fiction with a cat transforming into liquid and gas, and a mysterious, existential story."

    • Fellowship
      -5

      "No social or community features; gameplay is solitary."

    • Growth
      3

      "Players develop platforming skills and learn to use new abilities as the game progresses."

    • Health
      -5

      "Standard sedentary gameplay with no physical activity or health-related features."

    • Idle
      -3

      "Requires focused attention and precise control; not suited for passive or background play."

    • Intimacy
      -5

      "No social or emotional relationship building with other players."

    • Leadership
      -5

      "No leadership or group management elements; purely single-player."

    • Progression
      3

      "Players unlock new abilities and progress through levels, though no complex item or upgrade systems."

    • Relaxation
      3

      "Described as calming and meditative by players, with relaxing music and smooth controls."

    • Sensation
      2

      "Minimalistic visuals and soothing music provide moderate sensory stimulation and emotional engagement."

    • Status
      -5

      "No social recognition or status systems present."

    • Story
      4

      "Narrative is a significant part of the experience, with emotional and existential themes integrated into gameplay."

    • Strategy
      2

      "Requires some problem solving and planning to use abilities effectively, but mostly straightforward platforming."

    • Thrill
      1

      "Some challenge and tension in later levels, but overall a calm experience with limited suspense."

    • Value
      5

      "Highly praised for excellent value given low price and amount of content."

    • Violence
      -5

      "No combat or destructive gameplay; focus on navigation and puzzle solving."

    • Survival
      1

      "Avoiding hazards and death is a core mechanic, but threat level is moderate and manageable."

    Where to buy

    Come talk about it on Discord!

    Last update: 29/04/2026