Mewgenics Review: A Brutal Hybrid of Cat Breeding and Tactical RPG

The "One More Run" Factor: Why Mewgenics is Addictive

From the minds that brought us The Binding of Isaac and The End is Nigh comes a project that feels like a fever dream turned into a tactical masterclass. After 30 hours of gameplay, it’s clear that Mewgenics isn't just another roguelite—it’s a brutal, complex hybrid of cat breeding and turn-based combat that demands perfection while constantly moving the goalposts.

Our take? This is peak McMillen. It captures that specific "just one more run" loop by balancing soul-crushing losses with the promise of a superior build waiting in your nursery. We've seen games attempt this genre-mash before, but the depth here is unparalleled.

Breeding for the Meta: Management Meets Tactics

The game splits its time between a home-base management sim and high-stakes tactical RPG battles. You aren't just picking random units; you are breeding cats to curate specific kits. We’re talking about a meta that includes everything from lightning spells and magic missiles to lifesteal and—in a nod to classic fighters—Hadouken fireballs.

Your "bench" is your lifeline. When a run goes south—and it will—having a dozen cats back home with varied builds is the only thing that keeps the demoralization at bay. The strategy begins long before you hit the dungeon; it starts in the DNA of your team.

The Grind: Bosses, Sacrifices, and RNG

The tactical combat is punishing. Take the encounter with Guillotina, a gargantuan zombie boss. Each victory against this behemoth yields a quest item that actually spikes the difficulty of subsequent runs. It’s a brilliant, if sadistic, way to ensure the challenge scales with your progress.

However, Mewgenics isn't afraid to hurt your feelings. Reaching the end of a zone might reveal a horrific requirement: sacrificing your best cat—the one carrying your hard-earned quest items—on an altar of flesh. We’ve seen entire teams wiped out in the gauntlet following these sacrifices. It’s a game that requires you to pray to the RNG gods, knowing full well they are often indifferent to your struggle.

A Masterclass in Depth

The presentation is whimsical, but the mechanics are iron-clad. While the stars need to align for a perfect run, the "magic" happens when your weirdly armed cats—sporting everything from pistols to the Necronomicon—finally click into a winning strategy. It’s a title that thrives on its complexity, offering a level of tactical variety that puts most modern RPGs to shame. If you’re looking for a casual experience, look elsewhere. This is for the min-maxers who find joy in the struggle.