The loot-based elements are fun! Introducing the charm of survival action game "Cat Girl Survivor" 【PR】
Note: the original Japanese article can be found at:
https://www.4gamer.net/games/923/G092388/20251007036/
Writer: F5/Tawara02 | 2025/10/16 03:00 (UTC)
Released on June 20, 2025, for PlayStation 5, “Cat Girl Survivor” by Minimum Studio is a survival action game featuring the popular “van-saba”-style combat system.
In addition to its familiar combat system—where players use randomly acquired skills to eliminate waves of enemies—the game offers a fresh twist through character progression and equipment collection. The PC version entered Steam Early Access on September 26, and free updates are adding new stages, making it an ideal choice for those looking for something to play right now. Purchasing the currently available paid DLC unlocks additional stages and bosses, as well as full voice acting. In this article, we’ll highlight what makes this game so appealing.
Beginner-Friendly Elements in a “Van-Saba”-Style Roguelike
Dark forces seeking universal annihilation bring forth an army of demons strengthened by the “Curse of the Red Moon,” launching attacks across the world. To counter them, a diverse group of cute cat magic users with unique abilities take up arms—this is the game’s story.
The gameplay is a survival action format where players progress stage by stage, with difficulty increasing as they advance. The main story spans nine stages, plus additional high-difficulty levels and an endless mode focused solely on defeating enemies nonstop—providing ample content.
Enemies grow stronger in later stages Thumbnail image No.001 / The loot-hunting element of equipment discovery is fun! Introducing the charm of the survival action game “Cat Girl Survivor” 【PR】
The combat system follows the popular “van-saba” style: players defeat enemies appearing from all directions to earn experience points, unlock new skills, and survive.
Since skill sets are reset each time—typical of roguelike games—the fun comes from hoping for powerful combinations with every run.
Collect experience drops from defeated enemies to grow stronger
Which skills you get are highly random. New skill acquisition as well as leveling up existing ones is possible.
The game retains another “van-saba” staple: players can combine two leveled-up skills to create a more powerful one. Since the number of available skill slots is limited, deciding which combinations to prioritize becomes key during combat.
Eventually, the goal is to collect as many strong synthesized skills as possible—though randomness means you might not always get what you want. In such cases, adapting your tactics on the fly adds another layer of fun. Recovering from failure is part of the appeal in roguelike games.
Initially, you’ll be exploring which skills can be synthesized
Synthesized skills are flashy in appearance and far more powerful than regular ones
The standout feature of this system lies in the exhilarating payoff toward the end. Early on, you’re barely surviving with weak abilities—but by mid-to-late game, your skills become strong enough to slaughter enemies en masse. The spectacular sight of massive experience drops scattered across the screen, accompanied by increasingly flashy skill effects, is truly impressive.
While “van-saba” games typically feature a tough start and rewarding climax, this title lets players clear enemies quickly from the beginning. Rather than focusing on stress release through victory, it emphasizes the steady buildup of strength over time.
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A distinctive feature is boss fights, which introduce bullet patterns that dramatically increase difficulty. Some bosses unleash massive waves of projectiles, requiring precise timing and positioning to dodge safely.
The player’s durability isn’t high—taking just a few hits from a boss can result in instant death—making these encounters particularly intense. Since some skills only deal damage when you’re close, adjusting your skill setup based on the boss at hand is recommended.
Thumbnail image No.008 / The loot-hunting element of equipment discovery is fun! Introducing the charm of the survival action game “Cat Girl Survivor” 【PR】 Thumbnail image No.009 / The loot-hunting element of equipment discovery is fun! Introducing the charm of the survival action game “Cat Girl Survivor” 【PR】
However, for main story boss fights, there’s an alternative strategy: a “Golden Fish” item that grants temporary invincibility. This item can be found during stages and lasts for a set duration—up to ten items can be stocked and carried over to the next run.
This allows players to bypass bullet dodging entirely by simply spamming attacks while invincible—a slightly game-breaking mechanic, but one that makes the experience accessible even for those who struggle with dodge-based challenges.
Using the Golden Fish triggers a cinematic cut-in and changes the BGM
While active, you take no damage—allowing you to stick close to bosses and deal maximum damage
Additionally, lucky players can benefit from a roulette mechanic that grants significant stat buffs based on luck. Combined with items, this allows for one-sided domination over enemies—elements that make the game feel very accessible despite its “van-saba” roots.
Even after unlocking invincibility mode post-main story, the content remains challenging—perfect for players seeking a greater difficulty.
Roguelike on the Surface, But Actually a “Haksura”? The Equipment Grind is Deep
While combat resets skills each run—a hallmark of roguelikes—the game allows many elements to carry over into future runs. In essence, it leans more toward a “rogue-lite” structure.
One key carryover element is character level: defeating enemies in stages grants experience points that gradually raise the player’s character level. This boosts skill cast speed and damage output—making higher levels increasingly advantageous for progression.
There are six playable characters, but their levels don’t share across characters Thumbnail image No.013 / The loot-hunting element of equipment discovery is fun! Introducing the charm of the survival action game “Cat Girl Survivor” 【PR】 Thumbnail image No.014 / The loot-hunting element of equipment discovery is fun! Introducing the charm of the survival action game “Cat Girl Survivor” 【PR】 Thumbnail image No.015 / The loot-hunting element of equipment discovery is fun! Introducing the charm of the survival action game “Cat Girl Survivor” 【PR】
The other major factor is equipment. In fact, the core gameplay experience feels more like a “haksura” (loot-hunting) game due to its strong focus on gear collection.
This is because equipment primarily drops from stages and varies significantly in stats and rarity. Even with powerful skills, low-stat gear makes defeating bosses difficult—ultimately, success hinges on having the right equipment.
At base camp, players can buy new gear, synthesize or enhance items, disassemble unwanted ones, build facilities, and hire villagers Thumbnail image No.025 / The loot-hunting element of equipment discovery is fun! Introducing the charm of the survival action game “Cat Girl Survivor” 【PR】 Thumbnail image No.026 / The loot-hunting element of equipment discovery is fun! Introducing the charm of the survival action game “Cat Girl Survivor” 【PR】
The key to victory lies in repeatedly running through stages to uncover superior gear. While the combat system is “van-saba,” the true endgame path leads into a full-blown haksura experience.
It becomes a battle over how much you can boost your stats
Different gear provides varying stat increases, making the discovery process never-ending
After progressing a certain distance, your time shifts toward simply leveling up characters while hoping for rare drops from treasure chests.
The thrill when you finally obtain legendary equipment is pure haksura energy. Though not audible in-game, your brain probably plays the satisfying “legendary drop” sound effect on repeat.
Defeated enemies drop treasure chests containing equipment
Moreover, equipment can be further enhanced with artifacts that add stat bonuses. Assembling legendary gear and upgrading artifacts creates an endless path toward ultimate power.
Since artifacts can be freely combined, players can craft custom builds—such as critical-hit-focused or durability-heavy setups—adding to the game’s depth.
With deeper play, you can even use critical-hit builds to instantly kill bosses—expanding the range of enjoyable gameplay. The synergy between “van-saba” combat and haksura mechanics makes for immersive, time-consuming fun. If this sounds intriguing, definitely give it a try.
The developer actively collects player feedback via their official X (formerly Twitter) account (@minimumstudiogm), releasing weekly patches to improve usability, balance, and overall experience—this proactive approach is highly commendable.
Additionally, development on a sequel has already been confirmed, with its Steam page now live. The upcoming game will feature side-scrolling action—so fans of this title should keep an eye out for updates.