Venturing into the realm of Anime Cat Girl games might conjure images of fluffy ears and saccharine sweetness, but Kemono Teatime, a demo showcased at Steam Next Fest, subtly challenges these expectations. Initially met with some skepticism, this game reveals itself to be more than just a collection of cute, feline-featured characters. It’s an intriguing blend of cafe simulation and visual novel elements, wrapped in a surprisingly thought-provoking narrative.
Set in the charming commune of La Bête, a haven for kemonomimi – humans with animal features – Cafe K is at the heart of Kemono Teatime. Players step into the role of helping Tarte, a human girl, and her recently cat-eared little sister, Macaron, manage their tea and dessert shop. The game immediately establishes a contrast between the idyllic setting and a lurking sense of unease. This duality quickly sets Kemono Teatime apart from typical light-hearted anime cat girl experiences.
Two anime cat girls, Tarte and Macaron, prepare desserts in their cafe in Kemono Teatime, a unique anime cat girl game.
The gameplay loop revolves around serving customers with healing teas, a process depicted through soothing, sensory animations of bubbling and stirring. As players interact with the cafe’s patrons, they uncover glossary terms that expand upon the game’s lore. Through this mechanic, a deeper, more complex world unfolds. It’s revealed that Kemono Teatime is set in a universe grappling with the aftermath of a global pandemic that decimated the human population and reshaped society. Intriguingly, the in-game currency is blue and white pills, and conversations hint at widespread preoccupation with mortality, adding a layer of subtle darkness to the seemingly cheerful cafe atmosphere.
While the pixel art style and cafe simulation aspects of Kemono Teatime are undeniably delightful, the game’s true strength lies in its thematic exploration. It cleverly uses the seemingly innocent facade of anime cat girl aesthetics to explore deeper themes of fear and uncertainty. This demo suggests that Kemono Teatime is poised to offer a narrative experience that goes beyond the surface level charm often associated with anime cat girl games, promising a blend of captivating visuals and unexpected depth.
