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A new entry in The Gentlebros' all-ages action RPG series, Cat Quest 3 opts for a pirate-themed escapade, in which you play as a fearless seafaring feline. In search of a legendary treasure known only as the North Star, you'll explore an open map made up of ocean and islands, often aboard your trusty tub. As we've come to expect, this is a lighthearted tale full of fun characters and dumb puns — but overall, it feels like both a refinement and a small step backwards after 2019's impressive Cat Quest 2.

Indeed, Cat Quest 3 is a more streamlined release. Its map doesn't quite have the scope of its predecessor's sprawling world, and there's just less stuff to do in general. There are fewer locations, quests, dungeons, secrets, and storylines to follow, and while size certainly isn't everything, this third instalment can end up feeling surprisingly short-lived and slightly limited, even though its eight-hour runtime is pretty much on par with what's come before.

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There's still a lot to like about this furry foray, though. For starters, the addition of ship-based exploration and combat brings some variety to the sequel's gameplay suite, and the adventure's punctuated by a bunch of fun boss fights, set across both land and sea.

Aside from being able to swap between melee and ranged weapons with the push of a button — which only adds to the game's enticingly chaotic clashes — on-foot combat remains largely untouched. Once again, you're expected to make clever use of dodge rolls and quick combo attacks, before building up to and unleashing powerful magic spells. It's enjoyably fast-paced and easy to grasp, although there are times when the sheer amount of on-screen effects — especially of the magical variety — can obscure the action to a frustrating degree.

Character builds are back as well, as you can deck your paw-tagonist out in weapons, armour, and accessories that boost specific styles of play. Finding an effective combination is satisfying, and key to conquering late-game challenges. The title does a good job of dishing out worthwhile rewards, whether you've just completed a quest or delved to the deepest depths of a dungeon.

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Having said that, there isn't a whole lot of room for experimentation. Upgrading your arsenal requires hefty amounts of gold at later levels, and grinding enemies doesn't net you much currency. As a result, you'll probably find yourself sticking to a select few weapons or armour sets, depending on whether you've enhanced their stats already. It's a bit of a shame that the game isn't more liberal with resources, but there is New Game+, which brings some welcome replay value to the table.

And just quickly, you can play through the whole Cat Quest 3 in two-player local co-op. Your partner in pirating will take on the role of second mate, and they're afforded all of the same gameplay freedoms. However, you can only have one ship, which both of you control, meaning that you'll either have to divvy up duties, or decide who's taking charge on the high seas. An awkward caveat to an otherwise faultless co-op mode.

Conclusion

Cat Quest 3 doesn't quite live up to the expectations that were set by its purrfectly poised predecessor, but it's still a rock solid seafaring adventure. While it falls short of Cat Quest 2 in terms of size and overall scope, this is perhaps a more focused take on the series' action RPG formula, and the game's pirate theme gives it an undeniable charm.

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