IN THE BUILDING: CATS 3, developed by Laush Dmitriy Sergeevich and published by Laush Studio, is a casual hidden-object game that builds on the foundations of its predecessors by offering more rooms, more cats, and a more playful sense of discovery. It is part of a series that focuses on one simple yet endearing task: finding cats hidden in various environments. The third installment expands the formula with additional houses and new rooms, giving players fresh layouts to explore while keeping the accessible and cozy structure that has defined the series.
The game’s premise is straightforward. You move through five houses, each containing a series of rooms such as a hall, a bathroom, and now a bedroom, all filled with objects that may or may not be concealing cats. The objective is to locate 250 cats scattered across these environments, clicking on anything that looks suspicious and watching as cats reveal themselves from behind furniture, inside toilets, under cushions, or tucked away in unexpected corners. The design is minimal but clean, with enough props to create a believable setting while ensuring that the focus remains on the task of searching. The developers aim for clarity over clutter, so even when cats are hidden cleverly, the environments remain readable and never overwhelming.
A core strength of the game lies in its accessibility. It is extremely light on system requirements, capable of running on basic hardware without issue, and offers a simple control scheme that makes it easy to jump in and play without any learning curve. For players who get stuck, a hint system is included, ensuring that frustration never outweighs the fun of discovery. The game also integrates a handful of Steam achievements tied to progress, encouraging completionists to explore every house and uncover every hidden feline. These small incentives help keep the player engaged through what is otherwise a very relaxed and repetitive style of gameplay.
While the structure is consistent with the earlier titles, CATS 3 improves on variety by expanding the number of rooms and overall cat count, ensuring a longer playtime and more opportunities for clever hiding places. That said, the formula remains largely unchanged. Much of the gameplay still boils down to careful observation mixed with occasional random clicking when cats are hidden a little too obscurely. Some players find this trial-and-error element satisfying, as it makes every successful discovery rewarding, while others criticize it for feeling arbitrary rather than reliant on sharp observation. This tension between satisfaction and frustration is part of the charm for some and a drawback for others.
Reception from players has been mostly positive, with many praising the game for its cozy and calming qualities. The act of slowly scanning rooms, listening to ambient sound, and clicking on objects creates a meditative loop that makes the game ideal for short, relaxing sessions. At the same time, comparisons to other hidden-cat games, particularly A Building Full of Cats, have been unavoidable. Some players feel that IN THE BUILDING borrows too heavily from its inspiration, with little to distinguish itself beyond the sheer number of cats and rooms. While this does not diminish its appeal for those who simply want more of the same kind of hide-and-seek experience, it does mean that the game struggles to stand out in a genre that is already small but growing.
Ultimately, IN THE BUILDING: CATS 3 is not a game about innovation or challenge but about delivering a comforting and familiar experience. It succeeds at being a low-pressure, charming diversion, perfect for winding down or filling small chunks of free time. Its combination of light-hearted art, simple objectives, and the undeniable appeal of uncovering cats in silly places makes it enjoyable despite its repetitive nature. For fans of the genre or anyone who simply loves cats, it offers a warm and accessible experience that is easy to recommend, particularly at its modest price point.
Rating: 8/10
