Gamers live the life of constantly needing to visit a Xbox or Wii. Maybe more old school people visit the arcade. With the Internet's games full of intentional instant gratification, the game has literally changed. Play from an iPhone or a tablet and it proves to be much easier than setting up the game system. One ridiculous game that I found the pleasure and semi-shame in playing recently is Neko Atsume: Kitty Collector.
As someone who is Asian, I have heard about this game since its release in 2014. People always wonder if I ever feed the cats and play with them, to which my expression of "seriously?" puts the question on the back burner. Why waste time on something so weird and honestly a bit creepy to stare at that x-shaped butt hole that cat people think are adorable as the comedy video website Funny or Die pointed out?
So, imagine my surprise when the week of exams, better known as "Hell Week", I began to feel the need for a stress reliever of sorts. Watching shows mellowed me out and music videos were fine until it was over.
When do I ever get to read for pleasure? That notion was out the window.
Taking a walk only ended up with me sitting back down at a desk to write more papers that become illegible as dawn appears.
As I downloaded my fourth language app on my tablet, a nagging thought stood out the most. To download or to not download Neko Atsume.
The game is simple. Feed and supply toys and bling to wandering kitties in the garden in hopes that their gratitude will be a payment of silver and gold fish known as "niboshi". Use that "money" to buy food, toys and accoutrements for more kitties.
Oh, and many of the felines have names related to certain celebrities and characters such as Lady Meow Meow (Lady Gaga), Mr. Meowgi (Mr. Miyagi) and Guy Furry (Guy Fieri). The people's choice award goes to a certain cat named Peaches who is usually harder to find than others.
People say this is not a video game at all, but we can argue that if that is the case then Sims, the portmanteau known as Tamagotchi and other 90's games of vintage fall in that category.
Sure, the cats don't do much except eat, roll around and play, but it gives the player a huge sense of relief when trying to prepare for major ordeals like tests and possible life changing events.
Did I mention the game is free?
Unless you are a super fan who thrives on feeding cute cats that do not seem to ever use the litter box or nature's dirt bed, you can leave the concept of purchasing more niboshi with your real money alone.
It has only been a day, but feeding these cats that I can see whenever Youtube fails on the cat videos or my cat goes on his secret missions gives me satisfaction.
Meaningless game? Maybe.
Fun and stress-free? Yes. Just yes! It sure beats homework any day!
