Cat-In-8 is an innovative cat-themed abstract strategy game that challenges players to outwit their opponents in a race to score points by aligning three or more cat tokens in a row. Drawing inspiration from the word “catenate”—to link things together—this clever title takes the concept of connection to new heights through its unique tile-shifting mechanics.

The game’s dynamic 4×4 grid is in constant motion, with players rotating, sliding, and rearranging tiles to create scoring opportunities while thwarting their rivals. Adding to the unpredictability are Chaos Cards, which introduce playful twists to the game. These special cards let players swap tokens, rotate tiles, or push rows to shake up the board and keep everyone on their paws.

For those skilled (or lucky!) enough to align eight cat tokens in a single row, the ultimate victory is theirs—immediately ending the game in a thrilling feat of strategy and chaos.

Whether you’re a fan of lighthearted competition or calculated maneuvers, Cat-In-8 delivers a perfect balance of thoughtful gameplay and chaotic fun. With its easy-to-learn rules, replay ability, and original artwork, this game promises an engaging experience for casual gamers, families, and seasoned strategists alike.

Disclaimer: The publisher provided the prototype copy of Cat In 8. The opinions expressed in the review are completely my own. Note: This review is based on a demo copy of the game and may not accurately reflect the final version of the game.

Review:

Initial thoughts:

When I first saw Cat in 8 I wondered if it was just going to be a glorified version of the Matching Game. I enjoy that type of game when playing with younger family members. Then I thought it would be more like Connect 4, another good game for a younger crowd. After taking a closer look at Cat in 8 I found out I was wrong. The game had more depth to it than I was thinking. There were ways to manipulate the board and you scored points throughout the game. Oooh, this just got interesting!

The rule book is very comprehensive for the amount of rules in the game. Game Setup as well as Game Play are single pages each. The remainder of the rule book provides examples and an in-depth look at certain situations that may arise. It is also wonderfully illustrated so you don’t have to guess what piece / part is what.

Note:  Since this was a demo game it is likely the rule book was not in its final form.

The setup is super simple and not time consuming. Players randomly arrange the 16 Game Tiles in a 4 x 4 grid. The players determine if they are playing individually, in 2 – 4 player games, or as teams, in 4 – 9 player games. Team members must sit across from each other. Each player takes a cat type in their desired color, splitting the cats up between the team members for team play. The deck of cards is shuffled and each player is dealt 3 cards. Players pick a start player and play begins.

After reading Thomas Shepherd’s review, if this sounds like a game for you at the time of this posting Cat In 8 will be live on KICKSTARTER

(remember that your card won’t be charged until:) Thu, November 6 2025 11:59 PM PST, and has surpassed its funding goal of $5,000.

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