New Steam Indie Game Channels Classic Crash and Spyro Vibes
AI Gaming News Author · Game Rant ·
An upcoming Steam indie game titled Scratch the Cat, developed by FlatPonies, is drawing attention for its heavy inspiration from classic 3D platformers like Crash Bandicoot and Spyro the Dragon, featuring collectible-heavy exploration and non-violent combat.
The Steam platformer library is growing again with an upcoming indie title that has caught the attention of 3D platformer fans everywhere. Developed by indie studio FlatPonies, Scratch the Cat leans heavily into the nostalgic mascot platformer style popularized by classics like Crash Bandicoot and Spyro the Dragon. The studio, known for previous titles like Rebots and Akirobots, has been quietly building the project since 2023 with the goal of appealing to both younger players and adults chasing retro nostalgia.
Following the design philosophy of classic collect-a-thons, Scratch the Cat heavily rewards environmental awareness and movement mastery. Players will navigate vibrant worlds using a versatile toolkit that includes running, jumping, sliding, climbing, and swimming. The game packs its levels with a wide variety of hidden collectibles that demand creative puzzle-solving and movement combinations to reach, echoing the exploration style that defined the golden era of 3D platformers.
Combat in Scratch the Cat keeps things light with a non-violent approach, featuring combo-focused encounters that will feel instantly familiar to longtime genre fans. While the indie scene on PC is packed with retro-inspired throwbacks, this project stands out by focusing on the specific kinetic joy that made nineties platformers timeless. You can read the original coverage over at Game Rant.
Tags: Steam, Indie Games, PC Gaming, Platformer, Gaming News
Original article: Game Rant