Such a good boi

Like the first Cat Quest, Cat Quest II is, well, not exactly a genre-redefining masterpiece. (Unless that genre is cat puns.) It's a competent, adorable, and straightforward action RPG; with experience points and gold pieces, upgrade-able weapons and armor, and a whole lot of "go here" or "kill that" quests serving an unremarkable narrative.

A headline for this sequel is: co-op! Two players can do those quests, buy those upgrades, and bludgeon enemies to death together. The simple formula allows partners of any skill level to collaborate on this pun-filled adventure through the Felingard and Lupus kingdoms.

Sub-headline: you can still play solo, with an AI-controlled buddy, which works well enough.

Player ability - or AI ability - rarely factors into the experience. ... including late-game moments when it gets "hard," at least since a difficulty update that's made some later enemies and bosses very insta-death-ey. These encounters are more frustratingly stat-based than they are challenging or strategic: either you have enough HP and strength to out-survive the enemy, or, you don't.

So it's disappointing that some tedious level-grinding is required to get strong enough for the game's final caves.

Otherwise, Cat Quest II is a simple and fun button-mashy romp, and dressing up your kitten (and now, a puppy!) in little warrior outfits is just too damn cute.

Better than: Biped
Not as good as: the first Cat Quest, in terms of difficulty pace. (If only that was co-op!)
The ending implies there will be a Cat Quest III: and, hey, why not? I'm in for it.

Progress: Level 180, completed all dungeons and found all equipment.