DaRmaZat Funded in part by Screen Australia under the “Revive” national cultural policy, Copycat tells the intimate and touching story of an adopted cat named Dawn and her journey to find a true home. Playing it again, less than a year after its PC release, Copycat still hits just as hard—maybe even harder—with the weight of hindsight and a sharpened eye for its symbolic depth.
Which One Is the Copycat?
It begins quietly, almost deceptively simple. It’s June 5th, a warm pre-summer day. Olive, an elderly widow recently discharged from the hospital, visits a shelter to adopt a new companion. Her lungs are frail from emphysema, but she insists—her next cat must be an adult. Out of six, she chooses the one with the prettiest coat and eyes. She names her Dawn. You play as Dawn.
At first, you think it’s all going smoothly—there’s a bit of hissing, grooming, adjusting—but you settle into your new life. Until another cat appears, looking exactly like you. Now Olive is torn. Which one stays? Who’s the real one, and who’s just the copycat? Do your choices even matter? That’s the game’s first powerful hook—but it’s far from the only one.
Playful Yet Profound
Copycat balances a deceptively light tone with darker undercurrents. On the surface, it’s a sweet, emotionally resonant tale about the bond between humans and pets. But it also takes sharp turns into more confronting territory: neglect, abandonment, and regret. You’ll be angry—at abusers, at society, maybe even at yourself when your choices lead to heartbreaking outcomes. It doesn’t let you off easy, and that’s part of its strength, because the narrative is constantly reflective.
Dawn is a housecat by day, but in her dreams she becomes a wild predator—brave, free, and fierce. The internal monologue, often narrated by the quirky “Nature Expert,” gives a whimsical voice to her feline instincts. Her thoughts—sometimes profound, sometimes funny—are scrawled across walls and objects, reminding us that even the domesticated have primal urges.
Copycat‘s game’s world is drenched in vibrant color, like a child’s drawing come to life. Yet beneath the playful surface lies the game’s central message: the longing to matter, to be loved, to find a place to belong. It’s emotional and sometimes surreal, but always grounded in a strong, symbolic core.
A Cat’s Life—Almost
It’s clear that Copycat was made by people who love cats—deeply. You chase butterflies, climb trees, scratch sofas, unravel toilet paper, and even steal steaks. It’s playful and liberating… for a while.
But eventually, limitations emerge. Invisible walls constantly remind you that this is not a sandbox game—it’s a narrative one. Actions are often completed via cutscenes, even in key moments. Mini-games like catching fish or fighting rival cats are charming but lack meaningful consequences. Fail a quick-time event? The timer soon disables itself. Your choices—aggressive, curious, or quiet—rarely shift the overall outcome. Every five-hour playthrough ends in mostly the same way.
Clever but Clunky, with The Sound of Belonging
When Copycat does let you explore freely, the controls are… well, as moody as the cat you’re playing. Sometimes Dawn jumps onto objects without warning. You can crouch—but not crawl at the same time. Camera angles shift from 2.5D to third-person to top-down, but often glitch out. Walk into a wall, and your cat might just vanish. Rotate the view, and you’ll see through floors.
Performance-wise, even on medium settings, the game can stutter. Frame drops, awkward physics, and objects stuck mid-fall—all part of the experience, unfortunately. Jumping into an object might freeze you. It’s not game-breaking, but it’s noticeable, especially for returning players hoping for polish after all this time.
But what absolutely stands out—still—is the sound design. From gentle piano to haunting strings and Aboriginal-inspired chants when Dawn imagines herself as a panther, the soundtrack is stunning. It elevates every moment. And while the voice acting isn’t flawless, it’s necessary and mostly well done.
Final Thoughts
Coming back to Copycat after some time away, I expected to simply retrace old pawprints. Instead, I uncovered layers I hadn’t noticed the first time. On the surface, it’s a short, whimsical docu-fiction about cats. But at its core, it’s about home, identity, grief, and acceptance. It can be soft and humorous one minute, soul-crushing the next. The story remains mostly linear, but the emotional impact of its smallest decisions can be surprisingly profound.
Yes, the gameplay is limited. And yes, at launch, performance could have used another patch or two. But even with its imperfections, Copycat is a lovingly crafted, thought-provoking indie gem that claws at your heart—and leaves a mark.
Additional Information
Release Date: September 19, 2024 (PC), May 29, 2025 (PS5, Xbox Series X|S)
Played On: PC
Website: https://spoonfulofwonder.com
Relevant Links: Copycat on STEAM, Copycat on PlayStation Store (US, NL, BE), Copycat on Xbox Store (US, BE)
