Noir, Jazz, and Whiskers: ‘Feline Forensics’ Debuts on Steam

• The Debut: The first title from Brazilian solo developer Nobody Crown and the inaugural publishing project for Devcats, a studio specializing in cat-themed games.
• The Vibe: A “soft-boiled” noir mystery blending hand-drawn black-and-white visuals with a smooth jazz soundtrack.
• The Mission: Investigating a high-stakes jewelry theft and murder at a museum using classic point-and-click mechanics.
• The Cause: A portion of all sales proceeds is permanently donated to cat shelters and animal charities.

A Hand-Drawn Mystery Wrapped in Smooth Jazz

Feline Forensics and the Meowseum Mystery reimagines the golden age of detective fiction through a feline lens. The game’s aesthetic is defined by its striking black-and-white hand-drawn art, punctuated by intentional flashes of color to highlight key scenes.

The world-building is rich with animal-themed parodies of classic and modern art found throughout the museum. Accompanying the investigation is a smooth jazz soundtrack featuring saxophones, plunger trumpets, and “speakeasy” piano melodies, creating an atmosphere that balances noir tension with “cozy” vibes.

Classic Point-and-Click Investigation

Players take on the role of a hard-boiled cat detective tasked with solving a jewelry heist that has taken a dark turn into murder. The gameplay follows traditional adventure mechanics:

• Field Investigation: Search the museum for hidden clues and evidence.
• Evidence Management: Items are stored in an inventory, while a notebook tracks character profiles and case information.
• Interrogation: Question a cast of suspicious characters, pointing out contradictions in their stories or connecting them to physical evidence.
• Tone: Despite the noir setting, the game maintains a playful rhythm through frequent animal puns and cultural parodies.

A Colorful Cast of Animal Suspects

The “Meowseum” is filled with eccentric personalities that the detective must navigate. From a suspicious pig from the city’s outskirts to an arrogant, elderly Schnauzer constantly sniffing around, every character is designed with distinct traits that go beyond simple puzzle-solving. Even the protagonist fits the genre’s tropes—a detective obsessed with details and far too fond of milk.

Quick Specification: Feline Forensics

Brazilian Indie Spirit and Social Responsibility

Nobody Crown began the prototype for this project three years ago during graduate school. The project found a perfect partner in Devcats, a fellow Brazilian studio known for the Full of Cats series, which has sold over 1.5 million copies.

Devcats itself is a unique studio run alongside six rescued cats, and they are heavily involved in raising awareness for pet adoption. Prior to launch, the game’s free demo saw over 7,000 downloads, signaling strong interest in its unique blend of style, humor, and philanthropy.