The game promises a tranquil escape, a digital zen garden where felines frolic, and while it mostly delivers on that promise, are there a few thorns among the roses that threaten to disrupt the serenity?

Pros
* The artwork is, without a doubt, the game's crowning glory.
* The rounded corners and soft palette contribute to a delightfully chill atmosphere, perfect for unwinding after a long day.
* Animations are smooth, like a cat gracefully leaping from a rooftop, and the simple aesthetic is undeniably pleasing.
* The achievements are mercifully attainable, a welcome change from the "grind-or-die" mentality of some games.
* The default soundtrack is soothing, and while additional tracks are available, the lack of an automatic shuffle feels like a missed opportunity.
* The diverse color palettes, accessible through themes and a surprisingly robust screenshot-based coloring tool, add a welcome layer of personalization.
* The inclusion of a speedrunning mode is a delightful surprise, catering to those with a competitive spirit.
* Performance on the Steam Deck is exemplary; it runs smoothly, sips battery power like a cat lapping milk, and boasts a startup time faster than you can say "meow."

Cons
* Alas, not all is purrfect. The controls on the Steam Deck are, to put it mildly, a noodle incident. While functional, they're about as intuitive as trying to herd cats.
* The fact that some content is locked behind DLC feels a tad stingy, especially given the absence of cloud saves and family sharing for said DLC.
* Some achievements seem designed to nudge players towards either repetitive gameplay or a dip into their wallets, a tactic that feels a bit manipulative.
* The repetitive sound effects, particularly the incessant meows, can become grating faster than a cat scratching a chalkboard.
* While the snippets of lore for each cat are a cute idea, they occasionally disrupt the flow of gameplay, like a sudden sneeze during meditation.
* Finally, the occasional audio hiccup upon waking the Steam Deck from sleep, while easily fixable, is a minor but noticeable flaw.

Final Verdict:
Cats and Seek: Kyoto is a charming puzzle game with great visuals and a relaxing atmosphere. It’s perfect for short bursts of play. While the control issues on the Steam Deck and the slightly aggressive DLC tactics are a bit of a maneki neko waving you towards your wallet, the overall experience is positive. It's a delightful little game, purrfect for puzzle enthusiasts and cat lovers alike, just be prepared for the occasional meow-induced headache.

tough game, hard to find but good

Helps with depression and psychosis

10/10