IN THE BUILDING: CATS 2, developed by Laush Dmitriy Sergeevich and published by Laush Studio, is a relaxing and methodical hidden-object game that continues the quiet charm of its predecessor. At its core, it’s a simple concept wrapped in cozy execution: explore various apartment buildings, search each room carefully, and find hundreds of cats hidden in all sorts of strange and delightful places. There’s no combat, no stress, and no timer counting down; it’s a game built entirely around patience, observation, and the joy of discovery. The result is a laid-back experience that feels less like a challenge and more like a meditative exercise in paying attention to the small details that might otherwise go unnoticed.
The premise is exactly what the title suggests—you are inside buildings filled with cats, and it’s your job to find them all. Each level features a different house or apartment, with multiple rooms such as bedrooms, kitchens, bathrooms, and living areas. The sequel expands upon the original by offering five buildings to explore, a rooftop bonus area, and a total of 265 cats to uncover. Each environment is hand-drawn with care, and the cats themselves are cleverly hidden within everyday objects. Some peek from behind curtains, others rest on shelves disguised as stuffed animals, and a few wedge themselves into places that seem almost impossible. The level of creativity in the hiding spots keeps the experience fresh even as the gameplay remains straightforward.
The exploration process is tactile and satisfying. Each room is filled with objects that can be moved, opened, or interacted with, inviting you to dig deeper into every corner. Clicking on drawers, opening cabinets, or lifting pillows often reveals hidden surprises, and it’s these small interactions that make each discovery feel earned. The game encourages a calm, deliberate pace rather than quick clicking. There’s a pleasure in slowly scanning each room, learning to notice patterns and subtle visual cues that give away a cat’s hiding spot. For moments when a particularly sneaky feline refuses to be found, a hint system offers gentle guidance without undermining the satisfaction of discovery.
Visually, the game is bright and minimalist, relying on a clean 2D art style that emphasizes clarity over complexity. The environments are detailed enough to feel lived-in but simple enough to make the hidden cats stand out once you find them. The warm color palette and the soft linework create an inviting atmosphere that feels cozy and domestic. There’s a strong sense of quiet storytelling embedded in the visuals as well—each apartment reflects a distinct personality through its layout and decoration. You can imagine the kind of people who live there, even though they remain unseen, and that sense of intimacy adds a surprising amount of depth to the experience. The art design complements the slow, thoughtful pace perfectly, turning the simple act of searching for cats into something soothing and almost therapeutic.
The soundtrack mirrors this tone with gentle, looping melodies and unobtrusive sound effects. Every successful discovery is punctuated with a soft audio cue that adds a satisfying rhythm to the act of finding cats. The music never distracts or demands attention, instead providing a calm backdrop that encourages focus. It’s the kind of ambient soundscape that allows you to lose track of time as you fall into a flow state, exploring at your own pace. For players who enjoy games designed for relaxation, the understated audio design is one of its strongest assets.
One of the more impressive aspects of IN THE BUILDING: CATS 2 is its balance of simplicity and content. With over two hundred cats to find and multiple environments to explore, there’s enough material to keep players engaged for several hours. The inclusion of small interactive events—such as opening new areas or finding special items—adds a touch of variety without straying from the core formula. While the gameplay loop doesn’t evolve significantly over time, the satisfaction of completion and the sense of progression that comes from clearing each house provide steady motivation. The rooftop bonus level, with its playful tone and open layout, serves as a fitting finale that rewards players who enjoy thorough exploration.
Still, the game’s minimalism can also be its main limitation. Because the gameplay revolves almost entirely around the act of searching and clicking, repetition can set in after extended play sessions. Once you’ve become accustomed to the visual language of the developer’s design—where cats tend to hide and how interactive objects behave—later stages may feel less challenging. Some players may find themselves leaning on the hint system during more tedious stretches, while others might appreciate the predictability as part of the game’s calming rhythm. It’s not a title that thrives on variety or surprise; instead, it’s about the steady pleasure of small victories.
From a technical standpoint, the game performs flawlessly on nearly any system. Its simple art and low hardware demands make it accessible to players with older computers or limited setups. There are no load-time issues or noticeable bugs, and the interface is clean and intuitive. Everything about its design, from its control scheme to its performance, reinforces the focus on accessibility and ease of play.
Ultimately, IN THE BUILDING: CATS 2 succeeds because it understands its purpose. It doesn’t try to overcomplicate its design or chase trends—it simply offers a quiet space for players to unwind and enjoy the satisfaction of uncovering hidden things. It’s a game about observation, patience, and the subtle rewards of focus, wrapped in the charming package of adorable cats and cozy interiors. It may not surprise or excite in the traditional sense, but it fulfills a different kind of need—the desire for calm and comfort in a world that often feels anything but. For those who appreciate gentle, meditative games or simply love cats, this small, heartfelt sequel delivers exactly what it promises: a peaceful escape filled with curiosity, discovery, and the soft meows of success.
Rating: 8/10
