Cats Around Us: Black Cat is a casual hidden object puzzle game developed by Noobzilla and available on Xbox and PC. Players search through the pages of a five-page silent comic that follows the story of a man and his black cat, which excels at blending into shadows. The experience centers on locating hidden cats and other objects while completing simple jigsaw puzzles that advance the narrative scenes.
Gameplay
The core loop involves scanning detailed comic illustrations for cats that match the black cat theme or appear as additional hidden figures. Each page contains a large number of these objects, totaling over 200 across the full comic. Players click to reveal and mark the cats, which often triggers small visual effects or sounds. Jigsaw puzzle pieces are scattered among the cats on the pages, and collecting enough of them allows assembly of mini-puzzles that unlock progression to the next scene.
Zoom controls help with spotting smaller or camouflaged elements, while a rechargeable hint system provides guidance without any time pressure. The game includes a save system so sessions can be paused and resumed easily. Visual customization options let users adjust overall colors, brightness, and contrast to suit personal preferences or improve visibility in certain scenes. Audio features include several music tracks and subtle cat sounds that play during interactions.
Game Modes
Beyond the main hidden object search and jigsaw assembly, the game offers a photo mode for capturing screenshots of completed or in-progress scenes. A paint mode then allows basic coloring of those captured images. Speedrun mode provides an optional timed challenge for players who want to test their efficiency in locating all objects on a page. These additions give variety without altering the relaxed pace of the primary experience.
Controller support works across platforms, making navigation and selection straightforward on Xbox or with a gamepad on PC. Achievements track progress through cat discoveries, puzzle completions, and use of the extra modes.
Story and Presentation
The silent comic format keeps the focus on visual discovery rather than text or dialogue. The narrative unfolds page by page as players reveal more of the man and his elusive pet in everyday settings where shadows and backgrounds create natural hiding spots. Art style emphasizes clean lines and charming feline designs that stand out once located. Customization tools extend to recoloring elements in the scenes, adding a light creative layer to the puzzle solving.
Is It Worth Playing?
This title suits players seeking short, low-pressure sessions in the hidden object genre. Completion times often fall under half an hour for full exploration of all pages and puzzles, making it ideal for quick breaks or younger audiences. Reviews highlight the adorable artwork and relaxing atmosphere, with Steam user feedback showing very positive ratings overall. The low price point aligns with the modest scope of five pages and accompanying features. Those who enjoy similar cat-finding games or casual puzzles will find the combination of searching, jigsaw assembly, and photo options engaging, though dedicated hunters may note the straightforward difficulty and brevity. It remains a solid choice for casual single-player play on Xbox or PC when looking for something light and charming.
