Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about Edmund McMillen's upcoming cat-breeding roguelike. From core mechanics to development updates, we've got your questions covered.
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๐ General Information
What exactly is Mewgenics?
Mewgenics is an upcoming tactical roguelike game by Edmund McMillen (The Binding of Isaac) and Tyler Glaiel. It combines deep breeding mechanics with strategic turn-based combat, where you manage a house full of cats and send teams on dungeon adventures. What makes it unique is that each cat can only go on one adventure before retiring, making every decision crucial for long-term success.
Who are the developers?
Mewgenics is being developed by Edmund McMillen, creator of The Binding of Isaac and Super Meat Boy, working alongside Tyler Glaiel. Edmund is known for his unique art style and complex game mechanics, while Tyler brings technical expertise and game design experience to the project.
Is this guide official?
No, this is an unofficial fan-made guide created by the community to help players prepare for and eventually master Mewgenics. We base our information on official previews, developer interviews, and gameplay footage. We'll update our content as more official information becomes available.
๐ฎ Gameplay Mechanics
How does the one-adventure rule work?
This is Mewgenics' most distinctive feature. Each cat can only go on a single dungeon run before they retire to a comfortable life at home. This means you can't grind the same powerful cats repeatedly. Instead, progression comes through breeding better cats over time, creating a unique meta-game where your breeding decisions directly impact your combat capabilities.
How do cat classes work?
Cats wear colored collars that determine their class and abilities. Red collar Fighters excel at close combat, Green collar Hunters specialize in ranged attacks, and there are additional classes like Mages, Tanks, Clerics, and Necromancers. Each class has unique abilities and plays differently, allowing for diverse team compositions and strategies.
How long does it take to beat the game?
The developers estimate it will take around 200 hours to beat the final boss, making it substantially longer than most roguelikes. This includes time spent breeding cats, managing your house, and progressing through the various areas and storylines. There are dozens of bosses and areas to discover beyond the initial three-area sequence.
Are there boss fights in the player's house?
Yes! At various points throughout the story, bosses can attack your home base directly. These house defense scenarios require different strategies than regular dungeon runs and can reward you with special items needed to progress further in the adventure mode.
What makes Mewgenics different from other roguelikes?
Several unique elements: the one-adventure-per-cat rule fundamentally changes how progression works, the deep breeding meta-game creates long-term strategic planning, the tactical combat has Magic: The Gathering-level depth, and the estimated 200-hour completion time makes it one of the longest roguelikes ever created. Plus, it's about cats with bizarre abilities and mutations โ you won't find that combination anywhere else.
๐งฌ Breeding & Genetics
How complex is the breeding system?
Extremely complex and deep. Cats have personalities, preferences, and genetic traits that affect breeding compatibility. You'll need to decorate rooms to encourage breeding, manage relationships between cats, and plan multi-generational bloodlines. Traits, abilities, and even mutations can be passed down through generations, requiring strategic long-term planning to create cats capable of deeper dungeon runs.
Can you breed cats with negative traits?
The breeding system includes both positive and negative traits, and managing genetic diversity is part of the challenge. You'll need to make difficult decisions about inbreeding to maintain certain desirable traits, but this comes with increasing costs and risks. The system is designed to reward careful genetic planning over simple min-maxing.
โ๏ธ Combat System
What's the combat system like?
Combat is turn-based and tactical, compared by the developers to Magic: The Gathering in terms of strategic depth. Position matters, mana management is crucial, and abilities interact in complex ways. You'll control a team of cats with different classes (determined by colored collars), each with unique abilities and tactical roles. The combat rewards careful planning over quick reflexes.
How important is equipment and items?
Very important. There are more items in Mewgenics than in the current version of The Binding of Isaac, including equipable stat-boosting items, weapons with special attacks, and tricky items with unique effects. Some items are part of sets that provide bonuses when worn together, and there's limited storage space, adding another layer of strategic decision-making.
๐ Development & Release
When will Mewgenics be released?
The official release date is February 10, 2026, launching on Steam. The game was originally announced in 2012 but was cancelled when Edmund left Team Meat. Development restarted in 2018 with a completely new approach by Edmund McMillen and Tyler Glaiel. The developers are focusing on creating a massive game with over 200 hours of content.
What platforms will Mewgenics be available on?
The game will initially launch on PC via Steam. Console releases for PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch are likely to follow, as Edmund's previous games have typically expanded to multiple platforms. Mobile versions haven't been confirmed but aren't ruled out for the future.
How can I stay updated on development?
Follow Edmund McMillen on social media for the most recent updates and preview footage. You can also wishlist the game on Steam to be notified when it becomes available. This community guide will also continue to update with new information as it becomes available from official sources.