Crazy Cats vs. Crazy Cyborgs from Xeneder Team is an arcade shoot ’em up game in which you’ll play as Princess Anna and save the cat people against invading cyborgs. Read more about this title in our Crazy Cats vs. Crazy Cyborgs review!
In this arcade shoot ’em up game you play as Princess Anna, the savior of cat people. Fight against the attack of Crazy Cyborgs for 12 boss rush levels!
The core gameplay of Crazy Cats vs. Crazy Cyborgs from Xeneder Team embraces simplicity to an almost minimalist degree. I previously reviewed a pair of games from this indie studio, those being 2023’s Lasso Catch and 2024’s Happi Basudei. As for Crazy Cats vs. Crazy Cyborgs, Maneuvering Princess Anna is immediately intuitive, as you only have to adjust your altitude with the left analog stick since she’ll automatically attack enemies. However, the automatic firing mechanic initially left me somewhat disappointed. Its slow firing rate and tendency to unleash projectiles while I was focused on evasive maneuvers – often misaligned with incoming threats – presented a brief but frustrating hurdle early on.
Thankfully, the game introduces a compelling upgrade system that significantly alleviates this initial weakness. Upon death, all of your collected coins can be invested in permanent enhancements, such as increased fire rate, higher damage output, or the ability to randomly summon creature allies. Dying in a level only sends you back to the previous level, minimizing frustration and encouraging experimentation with different upgrades.
Each upgrade provides a noticeable and immediate boost to your character. Whether you prioritize fire rate and power or opt for the aid of summoned creatures, by the midpoint of this 15 to 20-minute experience, you’ll already feel overpowered. The game’s balance is well executed and ensures a satisfying progression. And, after conquering all 11 levels, the challenge isn’t over: the game loops back to the first level with increased difficulty.
The game’s presentation is a strong point, boasting a vibrant visual art style reminiscent of the 16-bit era. The parallax scrolling backgrounds are a particular highlight, adding a real sense of depth and dynamism to the action. While the background soundtrack is adequate, it doesn’t quite reach the same level of excellence as the visuals, serving its purpose without being particularly groundbreaking.
For trophy hunters, this game offers a remarkably quick and easy Platinum. The trophy list comprises 11 straightforward gold trophies, which will lead you toward adding a new shiny Platinum trophy to your collection. Earning them is as simple as completing each of the 11 levels that this one has to offer. Furthermore, the game features Cross-Buy between the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 versions, allowing you to unlock two Platinum trophies for the same price, with both attainable within approximately half an hour. If you need some extra help, you can check out this Crazy Cats vs. Crazy Cyborgs Trophy Guide.
In conclusion, Crazy Cats vs. Crazy Cyborgs offers a classic, simple gameplay loop with a satisfying progression system and a surprisingly quick path to a Platinum trophy. While the core shooting mechanic may initially feel limited, the upgrade system and overall game balance provide an enjoyable experience. The 16-bit visuals are a treat, even if the soundtrack doesn’t quite match the same level of polish. Ultimately, it’s a great choice for trophy hunters, while casual players might feel that the 15-minute campaign is on the short side. Crazy Cats vs. Crazy Cyborgs is available as a Cross-Buy release, so your $2.99 purchase will allow you to download the PS4 and PS5 versions of the game at no extra cost.
Disclaimer
This Crazy Cats vs. Crazy Cyborgs review is based on a PlayStation copy provided by Xeneder Team.
