The Purring Quest

The Purring Quest, developed and published by Valhalla Cats, is a hand-drawn 2D platformer that stands out more for its heart than its mechanics. It tells a quiet, emotional story through the eyes of a cat named Kimchi, who sets off on a journey to find his missing owner after a tragic loss. What follows is not a fast-paced action game, but a thoughtful, visually charming experience filled with atmosphere, soft storytelling, and an obvious affection for cats. The game doesn’t try to do too much, but what it does, it approaches with care and intention.
The visual presentation is one of the strongest elements of the game. Every background is hand-drawn and painted with a soft, watercolor-inspired palette that gives the world a storybook quality. Each level brings new settings, from cemeteries to urban streets to castles and forests, and all are designed to feel like part of a quiet, melancholic world. The animations of Kimchi and other animals are lovingly crafted—every stretch, scratch, and leap has the weight and movement you’d expect from a real cat. These animations aren’t just cosmetic; they help build a connection to the character, making the simple act of movement feel expressive.
Musically, the game is equally gentle. The soundtrack is orchestral and emotional, often reflecting the solitude or quiet wonder of the journey. It's not overpowering, and instead works in tandem with the visuals to create a contemplative mood. There are no loud, dramatic moments or action-heavy themes—instead, the music supports the game’s core tone of warmth and longing. Environmental sound design, such as distant barking dogs or ambient city noise, fills in the gaps, further rooting the player in each setting.
Gameplay in The Purring Quest is where things become more mixed. As a platformer, it includes standard mechanics: jumping, double-jumping, scratching at enemies or obstacles, and exploring levels to collect items. There are five main stages, each with their own theme and set of hazards. Along the way, Kimchi can collect hidden fish bones and free other cats, many of whom are inspired by famous internet cats like Colonel Meow and Grumpy Cat. These cameos are small but add a fun and personal touch, especially for players who are deep in cat culture.
The controls, however, leave something to be desired. Jumping lacks precision, and there’s a noticeable delay or awkwardness in the timing of movement, particularly with the double jump. These issues don't make the game unplayable, but they do detract from sections that require tighter platforming. There’s a sense that the game was built more for atmosphere than challenge, and as a result, the platforming sometimes feels like an afterthought rather than a finely tuned mechanic. This is most noticeable during more difficult platforming segments or moments that require quick reactions, where the lack of responsiveness can lead to frustration.
Level design is generally linear, with some small optional paths for collectibles. While the environments are beautiful, they don’t always offer much interactivity. Enemy types are limited, and most hazards are easy to avoid. Boss encounters or chase sequences exist, but they’re simple and rarely push the player to master the controls. For some, this will be a positive—an invitation to enjoy the game at a slower, more relaxing pace. For others, especially those looking for a mechanically rich or challenging platformer, the game may feel too light and underdeveloped in its gameplay systems.
Narratively, The Purring Quest doesn’t rely heavily on dialogue or exposition. The story is conveyed through visuals, level transitions, and brief character interactions. The overarching plot, centered around loss and reunion, is straightforward but emotionally resonant. There’s a deep sense of empathy in how the game handles themes like grief, memory, and companionship, particularly in how animals and humans are portrayed. It’s a subtle approach, but one that can be surprisingly moving if the player allows themselves to be absorbed in the tone.
The game’s short length is worth mentioning. A single playthrough will last around two to three hours, depending on how much time is spent collecting hidden items or exploring side areas. There isn’t much replayability beyond achieving 100% completion. Some players may feel the game ends just as it’s starting to develop momentum, while others will appreciate the brevity and compactness of the experience. At full price, the content-to-cost ratio might be a concern, but The Purring Quest is often discounted, making it more appealing to those on the fence.
In the end, The Purring Quest is a heartfelt, beautifully crafted game that prioritizes mood and charm over mechanical complexity. It’s a game that invites you to slow down, to explore, and to connect with the emotional journey of a cat looking for its lost human. While the platforming can feel imprecise and the gameplay depth is limited, the strong art direction, music, and emotional tone more than make up for its shortcomings. It’s a niche experience, best suited for players who enjoy gentle, emotionally-driven games rather than hardcore platforming challenges. For cat lovers, especially, it’s a small but memorable adventure that celebrates the quiet grace of its four-legged protagonist.
Rating: 8/10

Steam User 9

Reviewed last year

Very cute 2D platform game, story is a little cryptic. You're the beloved fur baby of a kid-less couple, then one day the guys wife dies yet you live on. So he abandons you at his wife's grave, and you search for him thinking that he is lost. Gameplay seems smooth, content seems like there might not be a whole lot to the game but it is a fun play. Reminds me of 'Oddworld' and stuff.
Steam User 6

Reviewed last year

Super cute game with amazing art and animations.

I do recommend this game, however, please note that the controls can be difficult.

With how the momentum works, inconsistency in actions, and confusing hit-boxes, it is still a cute and fun game -- just a little frustrating at times! :)

I still spent the time to 100% the achievements and thoroughly enjoyed my time.
Steam User 5

Reviewed last year

The Purring Quest, developed and published by Valhalla Cats, is a hand-drawn 2D platformer that stands out more for its heart than its mechanics. It tells a quiet, emotional story through the eyes of a cat named Kimchi, who sets off on a journey to find his missing owner after a tragic loss. What follows is not a fast-paced action game, but a thoughtful, visually charming experience filled with atmosphere, soft storytelling, and an obvious affection for cats. The game doesn’t try to do too much, but what it does, it approaches with care and intention.
The visual presentation is one of the strongest elements of the game. Every background is hand-drawn and painted with a soft, watercolor-inspired palette that gives the world a storybook quality. Each level brings new settings, from cemeteries to urban streets to castles and forests, and all are designed to feel like part of a quiet, melancholic world. The animations of Kimchi and other animals are lovingly crafted—every stretch, scratch, and leap has the weight and movement you’d expect from a real cat. These animations aren’t just cosmetic; they help build a connection to the character, making the simple act of movement feel expressive.
Musically, the game is equally gentle. The soundtrack is orchestral and emotional, often reflecting the solitude or quiet wonder of the journey. It's not overpowering, and instead works in tandem with the visuals to create a contemplative mood. There are no loud, dramatic moments or action-heavy themes—instead, the music supports the game’s core tone of warmth and longing. Environmental sound design, such as distant barking dogs or ambient city noise, fills in the gaps, further rooting the player in each setting.
Gameplay in The Purring Quest is where things become more mixed. As a platformer, it includes standard mechanics: jumping, double-jumping, scratching at enemies or obstacles, and exploring levels to collect items. There are five main stages, each with their own theme and set of hazards. Along the way, Kimchi can collect hidden fish bones and free other cats, many of whom are inspired by famous internet cats like Colonel Meow and Grumpy Cat. These cameos are small but add a fun and personal touch, especially for players who are deep in cat culture.
The controls, however, leave something to be desired. Jumping lacks precision, and there’s a noticeable delay or awkwardness in the timing of movement, particularly with the double jump. These issues don't make the game unplayable, but they do detract from sections that require tighter platforming. There’s a sense that the game was built more for atmosphere than challenge, and as a result, the platforming sometimes feels like an afterthought rather than a finely tuned mechanic. This is most noticeable during more difficult platforming segments or moments that require quick reactions, where the lack of responsiveness can lead to frustration.
Level design is generally linear, with some small optional paths for collectibles. While the environments are beautiful, they don’t always offer much interactivity. Enemy types are limited, and most hazards are easy to avoid. Boss encounters or chase sequences exist, but they’re simple and rarely push the player to master the controls. For some, this will be a positive—an invitation to enjoy the game at a slower, more relaxing pace. For others, especially those looking for a mechanically rich or challenging platformer, the game may feel too light and underdeveloped in its gameplay systems.
Narratively, The Purring Quest doesn’t rely heavily on dialogue or exposition. The story is conveyed through visuals, level transitions, and brief character interactions. The overarching plot, centered around loss and reunion, is straightforward but emotionally resonant. There’s a deep sense of empathy in how the game handles themes like grief, memory, and companionship, particularly in how animals and humans are portrayed. It’s a subtle approach, but one that can be surprisingly moving if the player allows themselves to be absorbed in the tone.
The game’s short length is worth mentioning. A single playthrough will last around two to three hours, depending on how much time is spent collecting hidden items or exploring side areas. There isn’t much replayability beyond achieving 100% completion. Some players may feel the game ends just as it’s starting to develop momentum, while others will appreciate the brevity and compactness of the experience. At full price, the content-to-cost ratio might be a concern, but The Purring Quest is often discounted, making it more appealing to those on the fence.
In the end, The Purring Quest is a heartfelt, beautifully crafted game that prioritizes mood and charm over mechanical complexity. It’s a game that invites you to slow down, to explore, and to connect with the emotional journey of a cat looking for its lost human. While the platforming can feel imprecise and the gameplay depth is limited, the strong art direction, music, and emotional tone more than make up for its shortcomings. It’s a niche experience, best suited for players who enjoy gentle, emotionally-driven games rather than hardcore platforming challenges. For cat lovers, especially, it’s a small but memorable adventure that celebrates the quiet grace of its four-legged protagonist.
Rating: 8/10
Steam User 3

Reviewed last year

My only complaint is that I expected this to be a chill and cozy platformer, but the controls were slippery and many parts felt frustrating instead, lol. Glad that a percentage of the game's profits are going to animal welfare associations though!
Steam User 2

Reviewed last year

Very cute! Challenging at times (or maybe I just suck) but it was overall enjoyable
Steam User 2

Reviewed last year

I am loving this game so much, but I have to say, it really needs a better start menu. I've accidentally deleted my save file 3 times because I just don't know what it's going to click. Super annoying, I love the gameplay and the characters, but this is really driving me crazy.
Steam User 1

Reviewed last month

Finally 100%ed the game /ᐠ˵- ⩊ -˵マ
I'm not the greatest at platforming, but this game is balanced enough to finish each level after a few tries o7
Liked: The art and the cattos
Disliked: NOT ENOUGH CATS /ᐠ ¬`‸´¬ マ
All in all I highly recommend this game for anyone who likes platformer games with cats :3

The Purring Quest

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