It took 14 years, a cancellation, a revival, and enough digital cat litter to fill a stadium, but Mewgenics is finally here—and it is nothing short of a masterpiece. Released just days ago on February 10, 2026, Edmund McMillen’s long-awaited "cat-breeding strategy RPG" has already cemented itself as one of the highest rated games of 2026. With a staggering Metacritic score of 89 and a "Must-Play" badge, this dark, hilarious, and surprisingly deep roguelike is dominating the Steam charts, having recouped its entire eight-year development budget in just three hours. But does it live up to the decade-long hype? Our Mewgenics review dives into why this twisted genetic simulator is the first true Game of the Year contender.

The Ultimate 'Cat-Eugenics' Simulator

At its heart, Mewgenics is a game about legacy—specifically, a legacy of mutated, violent, and often inbred felines. The core gameplay loop is deceptively simple: you breed cats, equip them with class-defining collars, and send them out to die in brutal tactical combat. However, the depth lies in the genetic simulation. Unlike The Binding of Isaac, where your build resets every run, Mewgenics asks you to curate bloodlines over hundreds of hours.

Every kitten born in your dilapidated house inherits stats, physical traits, and personalities from its parents. Did your star Fighter cat lose an eye in the previous run? Its offspring might be born with a "One-Eyed" trait that boosts critical hit chance but lowers accuracy. This emergent storytelling is what makes the game addicting. You aren’t just min-maxing stats; you are playing god with a lineage of warriors, culminating in "perfect" monstrosities that can summon lightning or vomit acid on command.

Deep Tactical Combat Meets Chaos

While the breeding simulation draws you in, the combat is what keeps you terrified. Mewgenics gameplay tips often emphasize one thing: the environment is your biggest enemy (and ally). Battles take place on a 10x10 grid that functions less like a chessboard and more like a physics playground. The elemental interactions are intuitive yet punishing. Cast a lightning spell on a wet cat? You’ll stun everyone in the puddle. Set fire to a patch of grass? Watch the inferno spread and consume both friend and foe.

The class system creates endless strategic layers. With 14 classes available—including the essential Cleric, the tanky heavy-hitters, and the elusive Thief—team composition is critical. We found that pairing a Hunter (for ranged damage) with a Mage creates a devastating backline, provided you have a Tank to shove enemies away. The "Butcher" class, an A-Tier favorite among early reviewers, revels in the game's signature gore, gaining buffs from the dismembered limbs of enemies.

The Roguelike Stakes: Permadeath Hurts

In 2026, few games punish failure quite like Mewgenics. Permadeath here doesn't just mean restarting a run; it means the permanent loss of a cat you may have spent dozens of in-game generations perfecting. When your Level 20 Necromancer cat, "Mr. Fluffernutter IV," dies to a stray crit, he is gone forever. You lose his genes, his unique mutations, and the emotional investment you placed in him. This high-stakes tension makes every turn in combat feel meaningful, elevating it above standard 2026 roguelike reviews.

Signature McMillen Style & Humor

It wouldn't be an Edward McMillen Mewgenics game without the grotesque, paper-doll art style and dark humor fans love. The game is packed with potty humor, gross-out gags, and unsettling mutations (cats with extra heads are common). Yet, the presentation is charming in its own morbid way. The soundtrack by Ridiculon is a banger, blending jazzy tunes with frantic battle themes that perfectly match the on-screen chaos.

The writing also shines, particularly in the random events that plague your house between runs. Your cats might get into fights, develop bizarre phobias, or demand expensive furniture. Managing your house's "comfort" and "stimulation" levels becomes a mini-game in itself, ensuring your warriors are happy enough to breed the next generation of super-soldiers.

Verdict: The Best PC Game of 2026 So Far

With 200+ hours of content, a confirmed console port on the horizon, and a launch that shattered sales records, Mewgenics is a triumph. It successfully blends the addictive "just one more turn" mentality of Civilization with the heartbreaking difficulty of XCOM and the genetic madness of The Sims.

For players searching for the best PC games 2026, look no further. Whether you are a fan of strategy RPGs or just want to see what happens when you crossbreed a psychic cat with a tank, Mewgenics delivers an experience that is equal parts horrifying and heartwarming. The Mewgenics Metacritic score of 89 is well-deserved—this is a cult classic in the making.