Mewgenics Promises a Unique Blend of Strategy and Feline Fun with a D&D Twist

Edmund McMillen, the mind behind The Binding of Isaac and Super Meat Boy, has shared some insights into his upcoming cat-centric strategy game, Mewgenics.

In a chat on the Windbreaker Podcast, McMillen kicked things off by clarifying the game’s premise, humorously noting that while it revolves around cat breeding, “there are no penises, I never drew one of their penises.” This sets the playful tone typical of McMillen’s work, although he did mention, “there’s probably a penis or two, just not on the cats that hump.”

Once the quirky details were out of the way, McMillen delved into the mechanics of breeding cats and embarking on adventures in a turn-based strategy format. He explained, “Every time you go on an adventure, you class your cats like you would in D&D, and draft your abilities like you would in a deckbuilder.” He emphasized the extensive range of items and abilities available, hinting at a complexity reminiscent of Isaac’s vast array of options. The host, Jack Packard, humorously summarized it as “It’s D&D but with cats fucking.”

When asked about the inspirations behind Mewgenics, McMillen pointed primarily to board games, with Magic: The Gathering standing out as a key influence. He acknowledged that while the game may appear as a simple turn-based experience featuring cats, it embodies the core mechanics of Magic: The Gathering. “This is me doing Richard Garfield,” he explained, comparing the various cats to cards and allowing players to explore different play styles, whether aggressive, defensive, or even breaking the game.

Additionally, the game will feature several voice cameos, including appearances from the Windbreaker Podcast hosts Packard and Yahtzee Croshaw. Notably, David Harbour, known for his roles in Stranger Things and The Thunderbolts, lends his voice, being a fan of The Binding of Isaac. The cast also includes Barbara Crampton from The Young and the Restless and Gene Ween, frontman of Ween, both of whom were drawn in due to their sons’ love for Isaac. McMillen teased that he “won’t spill the beans” on a major cameo, hinting at a possible appearance by Rowan Atkinson.