Andy Lingua
I would like to thank Oddfish Games for sending us a copy of How to RPG with Your Cat in order to be able to write this review. In short, this manual transports our feline friends into our role play sessions.
This manual was born thanks to a successful Kickstarter campaign, which raised the required funds in just 48 hours.
What to Expect from This Review of How to RPG with Your Cat
Let’s try to frame How to RPG with Your Cat in a few words: in this review I will make you understand how our real cats can become the protagonists (or at least the participants) of our RPGs. I found the introduction of this manual very romantic; this product was born with an idea: roleplaying with a cat nearby means arousing its curiosity and attracting it. This manual wants to give meaning to its interest, making it part of the plot. It could be a character in its own right (if not the only character), the animal companion or familiar of an existing PC, or even a fearsome enemy to face. In any case, its way of behaving in real life corresponds to actions in the game world; this manual is the key to “translating” its language.
I also found other delicious introductory elements.
First of all there is a necessary warning: the indications included in the manual are generic, but you must be careful that they do not create problems for your pet due to some of its pathologies (also inviting you to consult your veterinarian in case you have any doubt); it may seem a silly detail, but it’s nice to see that the manual doesn’t aim to “exploit” the cat for the laughter of the players, but tries to give both of them a good time.
Then there is a nice note dedicated to “feline readers”, in which it is ironically explained to them how to distinguish the onset of “RPG disease” (in a positive sense) in their humans.
Instructions for the Game Meowster: the Narration
The manual then continues with a section dedicated to the management of the story. First of all, the subject is dealt with in a very detailed way, resulting almost a reading on “how to be the narrator in an RPG“. I personally found this section very useful, not a filler; given the type of product, it could be a good way to bring new people (to read “the cat lovers”) to the world of role-playing games. With this in mind, it’s convenient to think that you can buy a manual and find everything you need inside it.
At the same time, however, the authors have not overlooked that a large number of role players already belong to the category of the cat lovers; at the end of the How to RPG with Your Cat manual there are in fact some tables to apply the mechanics included here (which we will discuss in the next paragraphs of this review) also to other famous role-playing games (D&D5e, Pathfinder Second Edition, Pathfinder, World of Darkness, Savage Worlds, Fate, Call of Cthulhu, Mouse Guard and CATaclysm).
There are many ideas in the manual, but an introductory adventure is missing. It is true that it can also be used with other systems, but I admit that I would have preferred to read a (albeit short) adventure to try the content without needing other resources (or having to create one).
Instructions for the Players: the ChAracTers
It is strange to write a review of a manual that does not explain to readers how to create their own characters, but How to RPG with Your Cat is also that; the PCs to be created are in fact the role-playing alter egos of the cats.
As in many classic RPGs, all the information must be taken on a dedicated character sheet that, in this case, has a feline theme (the various sections literally form the muzzle of a cat). Write down the Name and immediately move on to the more technical aspects.
The Race of the character will not necessarily be a feline. Our pet can also play a classic character from the game world; would you still scold the tender Biscuit when it impersonates a two meters tall orc?
The Background simply represents its past and what led it to be what it is now.
The Class is exactly what you might expect from a fantasy RPG (Barbarian, Bard, Cleric, Druid, Fighter, Monk, Paladin, Ranger, Rogue, Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard). Since it gives an automatic success in a certain skill, it is recommended to choose a class that well represents your cat. For this purpose, each of them is presented through some indicative sentences and an illustration.
Permanent Effects are a set of advantageous and disadvantageous traits (in equal number) that distinguish it. They can be spells to be used once per day or passive abilities.
Finally there are the Temporary Effects (such as altered statuses), Hit Points, and Equipment. These elements are obviously more variable and depend on the game system.
Review of the Game Mechanics of How to RPG with Your Cat
The heart of the mechanics of How to RPG with Your Cat (that we are going to analyze in this review) is only one: the use of Prompts. The manual itself recommends keeping these tools within reach before you start playing, so you don’t have to interrupt the session. Some of most common are: a string, a bottlecap, a laser pen (or a flashlight), a book, a brush, a mirror, a feather, some food, an electronic device, a dice and much more. The reason is very simple: when the cat has to perform a test, he must interact with the appropriate Prompt; based on his behavior we will understand the behavior of its character.
The manual contains a substantial list of tests that the character may have to carry out (attacks, saving throws, skills,…); for each of them it offers an explanation, a Prompt to use, a table to interpret the result, an example and a nice illustration. This section takes up most of the manual and represents, in fact, the idea behind the whole project.
For all other generic tests, the solution is simple: an Alternative Check! A ten-sided die is placed, the cat “rolls” it and the result is compared with a easy-to-read table.
How to RPG with Your Cat Manual Review
The manual consists of 123 pages with a soft cover.
The font is classic and very readable although, in my opinion, too large. A similar criticism can also be made against the single-column layout. Given the size of the font, it is not unbearable, but certainly a bit raw. Large white pages, with excessively spaced black text (resulting in empty spaces) and very basic tables; it’s all functional, but it would have been nice to see something slightly fancier.
Fortunately, some funny and cute illustrations (of which you can find various examples in this review) come to the reader’s aid, making the reading of How to RPG with Your Cat much more pleasant and simple. Don’t get me wrong, these are also very simple; in this case, however, simplicity is a quality that enhances the light tone that this product wants to have. The illustrations inside the manual are in black and white, while the cover is in color. The only thing I didn’t like about the illustrations is the repetition of some of them.
Final Considerations of the Review of How to RPG with Your Cat
Now is the time to take stock of this How to RPG with Your Cat review.
This manual is not essential for any role-playing game, but it is an added value in case you love cats and want to make the playing experience completely new. You no longer want to scream at the cats that make your miniatures fall off the edge of the table? Simple, make those actions of theirs acquire meaning. This obviously makes it fully usable only in live games; seeing the deeds of the cats through a webcam is not the same thing.
The aesthetic appearance of the work tends towards the amateur, but this does not mean a lack of quality at all. The simplicity of the manual makes it pleasant and light to deal with, especially as it is supported by funny images and a very ironic tone of writing. Personally I loved the latter aspect, which allowed me to read the whole manual in a very short time.
Ultimately, if you love cats and want to have some adventures alongside them (or with them as protagonists), do not hesitate: How to RPG with Your Cat is for you!
