Hi, guys! I'm a writer/journalist/psychologist who loves games and I'm learning creative writing for the gaming industry. This is my first tiny project, which will be available for everyone under CC rules. Feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thanks! This will be text only. I don't have knowledge/art prowess or anyone who could do any visuals.
Title: Is It Really a Cat?
Main Story/Motiff: Humans are logging and destroying forests with the help of enslaved lizard thralls. Endangered species live in a sancturary where our hero decides to take action and stop the deflorestation.
Genre: Metroidvania / Action Platformer
Platform: PC / Console (controller support recommended)
Tone: Humorous, witty, with an anthropomorphic pangolin protagonist; environmental adventure theme
Core Concept
You play a pangolin martial artist using rapier + musket combos to fight nature-exploiting humans and their enslaved lizards. Here's the first unspoken gag of the game. He is trained under a asian/eastern combat school, but uses it as a latino cat (think Puss in Boots, Pangolier from Dota 2), disregarding all discipline and stuff that comes with asian fighting culture. He does things his way, always.
Core mechanic: Enemies have dual HP bars – poise/stamina and life. Breaking poise ejects the soul, changing the enemy’s moveset (aggressive soul phase).
Humor hook: Characters constantly mistake the MC for a house cat. The protagonist responds with witty quips, giving charm and personality.
Key Features
Combat: Light/heavy rapier attacks, musket integration, combo arts, soul-phase mechanic.
Movement: Dodge/roll, double jump, wall-grab; agile/feline-inspired.
Progression: 4 biomes, increasing difficulty, elite enemies, 3 bosses; simple shopping system for QOL upgrades.
Biomes:
Holy Sanctuary – Tutorial hub, NPCs, Tier 1 enemies
Logging Operation – Devastated forest, elite enemy + Logging Vehicle boss
Factory / Assembly Line – Conveyor belts, hazards, Furnace Operator boss
Human Main Base – Vertical/horizontal hazards, Human Despot final boss
Tone & Personality: Short, punchy dialogue; humor integrated into combat and story.
Why It’s Unique
Original protagonist (pangolin) supposedly a martial artist that actually fights with a rapier and a musket.
Combination of humor, anthropomorphism, and environmental storytelling.
Dual-Hp + soul mechanic gives strategic combat depth without overcomplicating controls.
Solo dev / small-team friendly scope: limited weapons, linear progression, simple QOL upgrades.
Please let me know if further info is required for a better feedback. Thanks, enjoy!