The world loves cats and all things cute and fluffy or so that’s what the internet has told me. If you love those things you’re going to love Mineko’s Night Market by Meowza Games. The game has it all! Adorable joyous music, fun game mechanics and, oh yes, cats. Lots and lots of fluffy cats. I love this.
You play as Mineko, a curious girl who has just arrived at her new home on a struggling superstitious Japanese island overrun by cats at the base of Mount Fugu. Together with her giant furry friend Abe they adjust to her new life as she gathers resources for crafting, sell items on the market, play mini-games, and most importantly, be surrounded by tons and tons of cats.
A cute little Animal Crossing-esque game, you and Abe will spend most of the week completing quests, jobs and gathering resources to craft and sell at your market stall in the night market. With the money, you earn you’ll be able to explore the different vendors at the night market for a chances to play a variety of mini-games, eat strange culinary delights, and buy collectable collectables. There are 16 uniquely themed markets every year highlighted by a stage event you can participate in every week from taiko drumming and sumo suit wrestling, to Kabuki theatre and karaoke competitions.
Mineko’s Night Market has a story to tell, but like Animal Crossing or Harvest Moon, there’s joy in soaking in the details of mundane life. Brandi Kobayashi, half of the team at Meowza, says the game draws from folklore and aims to be a more narrative adventure than one built around resource gathering. Part of Mineko’s journey will involve unravelling the mystery around Abe, who’s been spotted around the island as of late.
Each location of the town will offer special things to do and new townspeople to meet depending on the time of day and season. And eventually, you’ll be able to unlock alternative modes of transportation (buses, bullet trains, and cat carts) to whisk you away to distant areas! Strategize the most efficient resource managing/crafting for best market returns, or play casually as you try to make friends with townsfolk, discover the mysteries of the town, or just spend an afternoon meditating in the zen garden.
Mineko’s Night Market is game that celebrates Japanese culture while introducing a heartwarming story about friendship, choices, and cats. The game will be launching for Windows, Mac and the Switch platforms this year.