Draft:Meow Mission

Meow Mission
Developer(s)	Accelix Games
Publisher(s)	Digital-Touch Co., Ltd.
Platform(s)	iOS, Android, Steam, Linux, macOS, Nintendo Switch
Release	November 22, 2024
Genre(s)	Puzzle, Sokoban-style, Indie
Mode(s)	Single-player

Meow Mission (Korean: 야옹미션) is a Sokoban-inspired puzzle game developed by South Korean indie studio Accelix Games and published by Digital-Touch Co., Ltd.. The game combines challenging puzzles with a heartfelt narrative centered around rescuing stray cats and raising awareness about animal adoption. Released on November 22, 2024, the game is available on iOS, Android, Steam, Linux, macOS, and Nintendo Switch.

Gameplay

Meow Mission revolves around solving Sokoban-style puzzles where players guide Tomcat, the feline protagonist, through grid-based levels to rescue lost cats. Each move consumes dimensional energy, requiring strategic planning. The game also features unique block types such as fragile, stone, and charge blocks that interact in various ways.

Players can:

• Solve puzzles of increasing difficulty across 10 levels per stage.
• Manage limited moves to navigate levels efficiently.
• Gain hints by bonding with rescued cats, which grants "heart energy" used to ask CatGPT, the in-game AI assistant, for help.
• Customize and decorate "Tomcat House" by collecting slabs to craft furniture.

Plot

Tomcat’s peaceful life is interrupted when his feline companions are sucked into a dimensional rift. Determined to reunite with them, he embarks on a journey through various dimensions filled with puzzles and challenges. The story emphasizes themes of care, responsibility, and connection.

Development

Meow Mission was developed by Accelix Games, a South Korean indie studio established in November 2023 by Kim Kimin. The studio's mission is to create games that are not only fun but also socially impactful. In an interview with Minimap Magazine, Kim described the game as a "spark" to raise awareness about stray cats and promote animal adoption.

The cats featured in the game are modeled after real cats from the shelter "Nabiya, I Love You." A portion of the game's revenue is donated to animal shelters, and the development team participates in weekly volunteer activities. The game was developed using Unity and localized in Korean, English, Japanese, Simplified Chinese, and Traditional Chinese to reach a global audience.

In an interview with GameAbout, Kim highlighted the balance between challenging puzzle design and emotional storytelling, with the aim of leaving a lasting impression on players.

Events and Future Plans

Meow Mission was showcased at the 2024 PlayX4 B2B Expo at KINTEX, where attendees could play a demo and receive exclusive merchandise such as stickers and keychains. The game attracted interest from international buyers, particularly for publishing in the United States and Japan.

Following the expo, Accelix Games announced plans to participate in the Busan Indie Connect Festival (BIC) and launch a crowdfunding campaign on Tumblbug. The development team also collaborated with animal shelters to extend the game's impact globally.

A promotional video featuring gameplay and developer interviews was published by AVING News.

Reception

Meow Mission has been praised for its blend of engaging gameplay and social themes. Critics and players noted its heartfelt narrative, challenging puzzles, and innovative mechanics, particularly the bonding system with cats. According to GameAbout, the game resonates emotionally with players, standing out in the indie game market.