This Xbox game emotionally wrecked me in less than four hours… I’m going to go hug my cat now

Among the games that leave a significant impact, some are surprisingly brief. For instance, the game Copycat only takes about 4 hours to fully complete, including all achievements, on an Xbox platform. Despite its small size of roughly 16.5GB, this compact adventure delivers a powerful emotional impact.

The Last Airbender (think more about the lazy, food-loving Iroh in Season 1 compared to the action-packed Iroh in later seasons). And yes, I’m not embarrassed to say that he received plenty of extra affection when I finished playing this game.

This review was crafted with the assistance of a complimentary product sample from Nuuvem and Neverland Entertainment. Neither Nuuvem nor Neverland Entertainment exerted any control over the content or reviewed it before its release.

Copycat review: What is it?

The brief, story-centric independent game titled “Copycat” can be finished within just a few hours. Its narrative unfolds in a dual manner.

On one hand, there’s Olive, a senior lady grappling with a tangled mass of feelings: the anger and refusal stemming from her declining health, the yearning to hold on to her fading autonomy, and the sorrow from the loss of her only household companion.

Lately, a sudden health crisis caused her dear cat to flee, leaving Olive alone. In an attempt to find a companion, she’s now visiting an animal shelter with hopes of adopting a new pet friend.

Category	Copycat
Release date	May 29, 2025
Developer	Spoonful of Wonder
Publisher	Nuuvem, Neverland Entertainment
Genre	Narrative-adventure
Players	Single-player
Install size	~16.5GB
Playtime	3-4 hours
Platforms	Windows PC, Xbox, PlayStation
Xbox Game Pass	No
Reviewed on	Xbox Series X

On the contrary, we find a cat named “Dawn” who has never experienced the warmth of a loving family home. To Dawn, the concept of “forever homes” is more like an unsettling illusion, distracting her from what she perceives as essential – finding freedom to live independently in the wild, away from human interference.

Through all of this, the original Dawn that ran away from home may still be out there…

Copycat is now available for $14.99 at Microsoft Store (Xbox) and $14.99 at Steam (PC).

Copycat review: What I like

This game exudes the endearing qualities reminiscent of a first-time release from an enthusiastic team dedicated to creating an emotional, interactive narrative. A visit to the Spoonful of Wonder website clearly reveals the ethos of this studio, which is reflected throughout the entire game.

This game isn’t a grand, highly detailed, lengthy (over 60 hours), open-world production constructed using Unreal Engine 5 by a large team. Instead, the graphics are subdued, the gameplay is straightforward, and its structure may not be particularly impressive; however, Copycat focuses on the experience, and it does so in a touching way that encapsulates this journey perfectly.

It doesn’t mean that Copycat isn’t enjoyable to play; I often encounter criticism from individuals who seemingly think that only high-octane RPGs and Soulslike video games possess worth.

In essence, Copycat offers you multiple chances to experience life as our four-legged companions, cats, by blending gameplay with numerous open settings filled with items to knock over or paths to paint through. It also includes interactive activities that will make Olive express her frustration, imaginative dreamscapes where you can fulfill Dawn’s dream of becoming a powerful wildcat, and many more inventive moments and features.

The heart of a cat’s nature can’t fully be grasped, yet there’s a tale to be shared (with Dawn having some deep reflections as she wanders), and certain aspects might not resonate as strongly. However, the essence of Copycat’s power undeniably lies within its narrative.

I’ll share no more than the essential plot summary I’ve given; “Copycat” is a succinctly crafted game that you should play individually. Fundamentally, “Copycat” delves into common themes of family, yet subtly explores its somber undertones of loss, pain, mortality, and apprehension about abandonment without flinching from disquieting nuances.

As a devoted admirer, I can’t help but express a desire for the decisions made by the character Dawn to carry a bit more weight in shaping the overall narrative. However, I acknowledge that such a request implies a more complex and expansive game, which may not align with the essence of Copycat as it currently stands – a game that captivates us just as it is.

Keep in mind, this game might have you shedding countless tears as you advance, with some scenes delivering a powerful and heartrending impact that could prompt you to seek solace from your beloved pet companions. Indeed, my own feline friend received an extra dose of affection following the conclusion of Copycat.

Copycat review: What I don’t like

Previously discussed, Copycat doesn’t consistently excel in storytelling and character development, and its peculiar, minimalistic graphics might occasionally hinder the impact of certain emotional sequences.

Similar to numerous independent games in its genre, the gameplay for Copycat is relatively simple, which can be a turn-off for certain players. However, this aspect is largely a matter of personal preference, and it didn’t stop me from thoroughly enjoying my time with Copycat.

Regardless of who you are, the bugs will have an effect. Navigating menus becomes difficult, controls stop responding, and the game stubbornly refuses to pause or enter Quick Resume unless restarted – these are small issues, but they carry more weight because the game is only about 4 hours long.

Copycat review: My final thoughts

✅You should play this if …

You’re looking for a short game to occupy an afternoon.
You love passionately made, narrative-driven indie games.
You’re ready to have your heart broken thinking about your pet.

❌You should not play this if …

You’re a weirdo who demands dozens of hours of fetch quest gameplay.
You’re not prepared for a game about pet abandonment and trauma.

Although Copycat was initially launched on Steam last year, for my personal record-keeping purposes, I consider it a 2025 game since I experienced it on Xbox. It’s one more title among several profoundly moving and impactful games that have come out in quick succession over the past few months.

After wrapping up Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, which left quite a different kind of emotional wreckage, playing Copycat offered a heartfelt reboot. If you’re into immersive indie games and have a few hours to spare for an emotionally charged experience, spending $15 on Copycat is highly recommended.