CLAWPUNK, developed by Kittens in Timespace and published by Megabit Publishing, throws you headfirst into a feral, neon-drenched dystopia where nine cat warriors crash through a crumbling cyberpunk city with claws, guns, and pure rage. The premise is straightforward – rise up against a corrupt corporation – but the game’s true heart is its chaotic, push-forward action.
From the moment you pick your feline hero, the design encourages audacious play. Each cat has distinct stats, weapons, and a rage-based special move that charges as you build up a combo meter. Whether you favor brute strength or lightning-fast agility, there’s a cat that will suit your style, and swapping between them adds real tactical variety. The structure – four zones you can tackle in any order, then a final gauntlet – gives enough freedom to feel non-linear, while still delivering a clear sense of progression.
Combat in CLAWPUNK is brutal and deeply satisfying. Melee attacks land with visceral weight, ranged options feel impactful, and grenades add another layer of chaos. Destructible environments elevate every fight: smashing through walls, triggering chain reactions, and creating conduits for destruction become just as important as taking down enemies. The more havoc you cause, the quicker your rage meter builds, rewarding aggressive, risk-taking play.
Under the surface, its roguelite systems offer structure and incentive. Between runs, you spend collectible “chaos coins” to unlock new cats or permanent upgrade cards, while mutation cards further tweak how each character performs. This meta-progression gives each run purpose, even when failure is frequent. That said, the difficulty can feel steep early on, and some players may find the roguelite loop punishing until they unlock a setup that clicks for them.
On PS5, CLAWPUNK feels tightly tuned. The controls are responsive and fluid, letting you leap, slash, shoot, or dodge with ease. Visually, the game leans hard into its retro origins – chunky pixel art, neon lighting, and gritty backdrops give each zone character and vibrancy. Performance remains smooth even when explosions fill the screen, though at times the visual clutter can make it hard to distinguish enemies amidst the chaos.
The audio plays like a battle anthem: a hard-metal, synth-infused soundtrack courses through every run, pushing the adrenaline higher during boss fights and combo streaks alike. Sound effects are crunchy and satisfying – every smash, every explosion, and every swing feels weighty. While the sparse voice lines from each cat don’t tell a deep story, they do add personality and humor that complements the high-octane action.
In the end, CLAWPUNK on PlayStation 5 is a gleefully destructive brawler that rewards boldness, speed, and experimentation. It may not offer a deep narrative, but its tight combat, unlockable upgrades, and beautifully chaotic environments make for an addictive loop. For players who love arcade-style carnage and aren’t afraid of tough runs, this is a neon-punk feline fantasy worth slashing through.
Score: 7.5/10
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