It seems the fine felines at The Gentlebros are clawing their way to the top yet again. The Singapore-based indie studio’s latest title, Cat Quest III, has earned a nomination for Family Game of the Year at the prestigious D.I.C.E. Awards, hosted by the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences (AIAS). For Southeast Asia’s gaming scene, this is another feather (or whisker) in the cap, following Indonesia’s Coffee Talk by Toge Productions, which was nominated in 2021 for Outstanding Achievement for an Independent Game.

For fans of the Cat Quest series, this nomination feels as natural as a cat’s obsession with boxes. The third instalment continues the legacy of the franchise, offering an irresistible mix of charming 2D art, animal-themed humour, and accessible action RPG gameplay.

But what sets Cat Quest III apart, you ask? This time, it’s all about embracing your inner feline buccaneer. Set against the backdrop of a golden age of piracy, players commandeer a ship to traverse the vast high seas, plundering treasure and fending off whimsical foes like the Pi-Rat King and Meowtallika. It’s a swashbuckling adventure designed to delight players of all ages.

High Seas Hijinks

For newcomers, the game’s intuitive controls and breezy pace make it a great entry point into the series. Seasoned players, meanwhile, will appreciate the expanded features, such as ship combat, deeper weapon customisation, and a replayable New Game Plus mode that ramps up the difficulty to satisfy even the most hardcore cat-pirates.

The Gentlebros have a knack for balancing accessibility with depth, ensuring there’s something for everyone. Whether you’re slicing through foes with your Orion sword or sailing the seas in search of loot, Cat Quest III makes sure the grind is fun, not frustrating. And let’s not forget the unrelenting barrage of animal puns, which are both a selling point and a test of your tolerance.

A Well-Deserved Nomination

The D.I.C.E. nomination is a huge win not just for The Gentlebros but for the Southeast Asian indie scene as a whole. It’s a testament to the growing global recognition of the region’s creative talent.

My colleague Jon had the pleasure of diving paws-first into this pirate-packed adventure, and our review scored it a fantastic 90/100. With its charming art, simple-yet-satisfying gameplay, and a boatload of post-game content, Cat Quest III is a treasure worth hunting.

As the D.I.C.E. Awards approach, we’ll be rooting for this purrfect indie gem to take home the prize. Regardless of the outcome, The Gentlebros have proven that their paws are firmly planted on the map of gaming greatness.