Catmaze on Steam - User reviews, Price & Information
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Catmaze is a fairy metroidvania inspired by Slavic myths. Age-old tales will come to life in the unforgettable adventure of Alesta, a sorceress whose courage guides her through mysterious paths and dark forests in search of the lost road to Nav, the world of the dead.
Catmaze is a side scroller, exploration and metroidvania game
developed and published by Redblack Spade.
Released on May 24th 2018 is available on Windows, MacOS and Linux
in 7 languages: English, Russian, Simplified Chinese, French, German, Spanish - Spain and Japanese.
It has received 549 reviews of which 465 were positive and 84 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.0 out of 10. 😊
The game is currently priced at 9.75€ on Steam.
The Steam community has classified Catmaze into these genres:
Media & Screenshots
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System requirements
These are the minimum specifications needed to play the game. For the best experience, we recommend that you verify them.
Windows
- OS *: Windows 7
- Processor: Dual Core 2.4 Ghz
- Memory: 2 GB RAM
- Graphics: Hardware Accelerated Graphics with dedicated memory
- Storage: 350 MB available space
MacOS
- OS: Mac OS 10.7+
- Processor: 2 GHz dual core
- Memory: 2 GB RAM
- Graphics: Hardware Accelerated Graphics with dedicated memory
- Storage: 350 MB available space
Linux
- OS: Steam OS 2.0 / Ubuntu 14.04 LTS (64-bit)
- Processor: 2 GHz
- Memory: 4 GB RAM
- Graphics: OpenGL 2.1-compatible, 512 MB video memory, framebuffer object support. E.g. Intel HD 4600 or better.
- Storage: 350 MB available space
User reviews & Ratings
Explore reviews from Steam users sharing their experiences and what they love about the game.
Catmaze, developed and published by Redblack Spade, is a beautifully handcrafted Metroidvania that weaves Slavic mythology into a touching tale of love, loss, and determination. At first glance, it appears to be a traditional side-scrolling adventure filled with monsters and dungeons, but underneath its charming pixel art lies a world brimming with folklore and emotional resonance. You play as Alesta, a young sorceress who embarks on a journey to rescue her mother’s soul from the underworld. Her path takes her through eerie forests, misty swamps, and shadowed villages, all populated by creatures and spirits from ancient Slavic legends. The narrative, while simple in structure, is elevated by its mythological foundation, giving Catmaze a sense of identity that sets it apart from its contemporaries. The gameplay embraces the fundamentals of the Metroidvania genre—exploration, progression, and backtracking—while introducing its own unique elements through Alesta’s magical abilities and companions. Combat revolves around the use of familiars, magical beings that Alesta can summon to fight on her behalf. Each familiar has its own attack style, ranging from ranged projectiles to melee strikes, and players can equip both a melee and a ranged familiar simultaneously, creating opportunities for strategic combinations. As you progress, new familiars, spells, and trinkets become available, adding variety and depth to the otherwise straightforward combat. The world itself is designed as an interconnected labyrinth, with locked doors, hidden passages, and shortcuts that gradually open as you acquire new abilities. It’s a satisfying loop of discovery and empowerment, one that rewards curiosity and careful observation. Exploration is at the heart of Catmaze’s appeal. The world is expansive yet cohesive, composed of distinct biomes that flow naturally into one another—forests dripping with dew, candle-lit crypts, and quaint villages that hint at a bygone era. Each area feels alive, and while the map isn’t overly complicated, it is large enough to give a sense of adventure and discovery. Save points and teleportation shrines are spaced thoughtfully, ensuring that backtracking never feels too tedious. The game strikes a commendable balance between challenge and accessibility, offering tricky platforming sections and tough boss encounters without crossing into frustration. The bosses themselves, though sometimes simple in design, carry personality and flair. Many of them draw directly from Slavic myth, turning folklore creatures like kikimoras, leshys, and rusalkas into memorable foes that enrich the game’s cultural atmosphere. Visually, Catmaze is a testament to how expressive pixel art can be when handled with care. Every environment feels lovingly crafted, from the flickering torches in underground tunnels to the soft glow of the moon over quiet villages. The art direction captures both whimsy and melancholy, making Alesta’s journey feel magical but tinged with sadness. The characters are designed with warmth and charm, even when their stories turn dark. The color palette shifts gracefully with each region, keeping the visuals fresh as you move through the world. The soundtrack, though understated, complements the visuals perfectly with its blend of gentle melodies and haunting tones. Each track reinforces the game’s emotional core, adding atmosphere without overpowering the gameplay. It’s a game that thrives on its sense of place—every area, sound, and sprite works together to immerse you in its Slavic-inspired fantasy world. Catmaze’s story may not rely on elaborate cutscenes or complex dialogue, but it carries emotional weight through tone and implication. Alesta’s motivation—to save her mother—grounds the narrative in something deeply human, even as the world around her overflows with spirits, gods, and monsters. Along her journey, she encounters a variety of characters, each offering small glimpses into the world’s lore or their own tragic backstories. These side interactions help flesh out the setting and lend an air of mystery to the journey. The writing has moments of poetic melancholy, though the localization occasionally struggles with awkward phrasing or uneven grammar. Despite these minor stumbles, the intent behind the words is clear, and the narrative resonates emotionally, especially as the story builds toward its conclusion and multiple possible endings. Mechanically, the game plays smoothly, though it is not without its rough edges. The controls are responsive for the most part, but a few platforming sections can feel imprecise due to small collision issues or uneven hit detection. Some players may also find that combat, while functional, leans toward simplicity—most encounters are resolved through straightforward pattern recognition rather than deep tactical engagement. The pacing of upgrades is consistent, but there are moments when progression can feel slightly opaque, particularly when the map doesn’t clearly indicate where to go next. Still, these shortcomings are softened by the game’s pacing and exploration structure, which encourages players to enjoy the journey rather than rush through it. Every area feels handcrafted, and even when you lose your way, there’s often something new to discover nearby. One of Catmaze’s standout qualities is how it successfully evokes atmosphere with minimal means. Its world feels ancient and mysterious, not through dense exposition but through visual storytelling. The ruins, statues, and cryptic NPC dialogue all hint at a culture long faded, allowing the player’s imagination to fill in the gaps. The combination of folklore, art, and music creates an experience that feels distinctly Eastern European, a rarity in modern indie games. The game’s aesthetic and tone recall classics like Cave Story and Momodora, but its Slavic flavor gives it a unique identity. It’s a quiet, introspective adventure that doesn’t rely on bombast or spectacle, preferring to draw players in with mood and emotion. For all its modest scope, Catmaze offers remarkable value. A single playthrough typically lasts around eight to ten hours, depending on how much you explore, and completionists can easily spend a few more searching for hidden items and side quests. The difficulty curve is fair, making it accessible to both newcomers and seasoned fans of the Metroidvania genre. Its charm lies in its sincerity—it doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel but refines its chosen formula with personality and heart. The fact that it’s largely the work of a solo developer makes its craftsmanship all the more impressive. Ultimately, Catmaze is a captivating and heartfelt Metroidvania that succeeds not through innovation but through atmosphere, soul, and cultural identity. It delivers a world worth exploring, characters worth meeting, and a story that lingers beyond its closing moments. Its flaws—occasional clunky translation, simple combat, and minor navigation hiccups—are far outweighed by its artistry and emotional depth. Redblack Spade has created a small but memorable gem, one that celebrates folklore, resilience, and the power of love in the face of loss. For anyone who cherishes atmospheric, story-driven adventures, Catmaze stands as a hidden treasure in the indie landscape—a haunting and beautiful journey through myth and memory. Rating: 8/10
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Solid low budge Metroidvania. Around 8 horas to 100% it, a few small glitches and bugs here and there but still a solid game, would love to see a sequence someday, the setting was pretty unique. Easy buy at 50% off.
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A nice, short, sweet Metroidvania. The setting and many characters seem to be based on Slavic mythology, but knowing nothing about it did not stop me from enjoying the game.
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Good game. It's too easy. But it's realy good to play it. It has some problems, like a map with no custom marks, no item to view secrete passages and the "weapons" are to much similar. Good history. But, cute to much. Every single enemy eventually turns your friend .
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I'm a sucker for a good metroidvania. I enjoy exploring areas and trying to figure out how to navigate the world. I've seen Catmaze on Steam before I wishlisted it, thinking I'll eventually pick it up. Then I saw the Metroidvania Guru's video on it and I was sold on it. Catmaze follows Alesta as she explores the land to get her mother back. It's not a bad story, nor is it poorly told. It's not going to wow you like other games. Graphically, the game looks clunky and very cartoony. Yes, it's clear what things are. And damage pits are nicely notated with a skull and crossbones. So those who are diligent can tell where some of the hidden paths are. However, there are some graphical bugs: Alesta will continue to run or get stuck in a loop when running into a wall. The gameplay continues the theme of clunkiness: the hitboxes are a little wonky with the creatures as sometimes it lead to double hits or it'll chose to damage 1 enemy instead of both (or more). I've also had times when the game will not recognize that I should be on a platform. That aside, it's a very solid metroidvania. There's a lot to explore. The platforming itself is rather solid. Alesta doesn't gain experience: she upgrades her amulet and which necklace she wears impacts how she becomes stronger. The down part is that the amulet's power will degrade as she takes damage. Furthermore, she relies on summons to protect her. Some are better than others. The bulk of them have their use in puzzle solving / navigation. There are also some bracelets that can be upgraded 3 times. But past that, it makes money mostly useless. Some of the quests are marked on the map. However, I desperately want there to be a way I can place markers to remember significant things. A lot of the upgrades are well hidden. The game does show, weirdly, some mercy by marking anything missed (upgrades and hidden passages) right before the finale. Sound wise, everything is decent. It's pleasant to listen to while playing. In conclusion, Catmaze is a solid Metroidvania. It's not going to wow folks and bring them into the fold. For those who are looking for a new game in the genre will find a well crafted game that can reach the conclusion in approximately 6 hours. Don't let the cutesy appearance deceive you. There's some really great exploration in this game.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Catmaze is currently priced at 9.75€ on Steam.
Catmaze is currently not on sale. You can purchase it for 9.75€ on Steam.
Catmaze received 465 positive votes out of a total of 549 achieving a rating of 7.95.
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Catmaze was developed and published by Redblack Spade.
Catmaze is playable and fully supported on Windows.
Catmaze is playable and fully supported on MacOS.
Catmaze is playable and fully supported on Linux.
Catmaze is a single-player game.
There is a DLC available for Catmaze. Explore additional content available for Catmaze on Steam.
Catmaze does not support mods via Steam Workshop.
Catmaze does not support Steam Remote Play.
Catmaze is enabled for Steam Family Sharing. This means you can share the game with authorized users from your Steam Library, allowing them to play it on their own accounts. For more details on how the feature works, you can read the original Steam Family Sharing announcement or visit the Steam Family Sharing user guide and FAQ page.
You can find solutions or submit a support ticket by visiting the Steam Support page for Catmaze.
Data sources
The information presented on this page is sourced from reliable APIs to ensure accuracy and relevance. We utilize the Steam API to gather data on game details, including titles, descriptions, prices, and user reviews. This allows us to provide you with the most up-to-date information directly from the Steam platform.
Additionally, we incorporate data from the SteamSpy API, which offers insights into game sales and player statistics. This helps us present a comprehensive view of each game's popularity and performance within the gaming community.
Last Updates| Steam data | 19 January 2026 19:19 |
|---|---|
| SteamSpy data | 25 January 2026 11:39 |
| Steam price | 28 January 2026 12:43 |
| Steam reviews | 27 January 2026 09:47 |
If you'd like to dive deeper into the details about Catmaze, we invite you to check out a few dedicated websites that offer extensive information and insights. These platforms provide valuable data, analysis, and user-generated reports to enhance your understanding of the game and its performance.
- SteamDB - A comprehensive database of everything on Steam about Catmaze
- SteamCharts - Analysis of Catmaze concurrent players on Steam
- ProtonDB - Crowdsourced reports on Linux and Steam Deck Catmaze compatibility
Game modes
Features
Online players
2
Developer
Redblack Spade
Publisher
Redblack Spade
Release
24 May 2018
Platforms