An RPG where you issue commands and talk through your voice, with the heroes you’re leading actually responding to you in real time, it sounds like science fiction, but that’s exactly what developer Pit-Step is aiming to deliver with the new Ninja Cats: Tactics.
Thinking about it, this could be something really compelling if appropriately fine-tuned, and it might even pave the way for an entirely new type of video game.
That said, Ninja Cats: Tactics has appeared on Steam, and at first glance, it looks like one of the more unusual tactical RPGs in development.
The concept mixes turn-based battles with direct voice interaction, letting you train and command a squad of ninja cats not only through strategy but also by talking to them.
The game uses voice recognition to pick up what players say, and the cats react in different ways, sometimes growing stronger instantly or responding with their own sounds and animations.
Combat is structured around five-on-five tactical encounters set in castle environments with obstacles and varying terrain. Players can win either by defeating the enemy team or capturing their base, and the layout makes positioning and formations an important part of play.
There’s also a “Hako-Niwa” home space where cats can be trained and relationships built; decorating and arranging the room affects their development and teamwork.
A story mode ties progression together with mission rewards, koban coins, and new recruits, while an online mode offers player-versus-player battles.
The roster promises sixteen different ninja cats, each with its own fighting style and personality. Even those with the same appearance can behave differently, which suggests a degree of unpredictability and replay value.
I don’t know if this formula will actually work in the end, but the curiosity is definitely there. Ninja Cats: Tactics is planned for PC via Steam, with no release date announced yet. Below is the announcement trailer.
