Mewgenics

{{Infobox video game

| title = Mewgenics

| image = Mewgenics Poster.jpg

| caption = Teaser poster

| developer = Edmund McMillen{{efn|Originally Team Meat prior to cancellation in 2016}}
Tyler Glaiel

| publisher = Edmund McMillen
Tyler Glaiel

| platforms = Windows

| released = February 10, 2026

| genre = Tactical role-playing, roguelike, life simulation

| modes = Single-player

| composer = Ridiculon

| engine = Glaiel Game Engine

}}

Mewgenics is an upcoming tactical role-playing roguelike life simulation video game developed by Edmund McMillen and Tyler Glaiel. The game has players breed cats, which assume character classes and are sent out on adventures, featuring tactical combat on a procedurally-generated grid. Originally announced by Team Meat in 2012 as a follow-up to Super Meat Boy, the game experienced a protracted development cycle, before being cancelled and subsequently reacquired by McMillen for development with Glaiel in 2018. Mewgenics is scheduled for released via the digital distribution platform Steam on February 10, 2026.

Gameplay

Mewgenics is a tactical role-playing game that is divided into two stages: combat and breeding. At the beginning of the game, the player is assigned a team of four cats, which feature character classes, such as hunter, mage and healer. The cats have varying statistics, as well as access to mana reserves, which influence their roles and performance. The cats may affect the aforementioned statistics by equipping clothing and other paraphernalia. Sent on a journey, the combat portion of the game principally takes place on a procedurally-generated grid with a two-dimensional isometric perspective, where the team must eliminate all the enemies, before advancing.{{cite web |last=Frushtick |first=Russ |date=October 31, 2022 |title=Mewgenics: The 'sequel to Binding of Isaac{{'}} is an infinitely expanding cat combat mashup |url=https://www.polygon.com/23426622/mewgenics-binding-of-isaac-sequel-impressions-preview |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230415115250/https://www.polygon.com/23426622/mewgenics-binding-of-isaac-sequel-impressions-preview |archive-date=April 15, 2023 |access-date=December 20, 2022 |website=Polygon}} Every character may move and use an active ability, with passive abilities affecting them.{{cite web |last=McMillen |first=Edmund |author-link=Edmund McMillen |date=January 17, 2023 |title=CAT FIGHT! |url=https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/686060/view/5662747178717849359 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230831222420/https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/686060/view/5662747178717849359 |archive-date=August 31, 2023 |access-date=January 19, 2023 |website=Steam}} The combat is heavily influenced by the environment, with the weather affecting performance and the foliage being able to be manipulated for and against the cats. If a cat loses all its hit points, it will be incapacitated, yet remain in the battle, though it will suffer long-term consequences, such as brain damage – and could still be killed with three subsequent blows from enemies. Should a cat die, its items will be lost, including any exclusive rarities that may only drop once. After a successful battle, the player may choose a cat to level up, thereby enhancing its abilities.

The second stage of the game, breeding, comes into play once the player has completed their run. Surviving cats return to the house hub, carrying with them their statistics, as well as equipment that may be used by other cats. Two cats in the same room may mate, resulting in the breeding of a new cat that inherits their parents' traits. Inherited traits may produce cats that are ideal for further runs. Inbreeding, the act of breeding cats with closely related parents, results in offspring with mutations and other deficiencies. As simulated in-game time passes, cats die from old age.

Development

= Original design and cancellation =

File:Mew-Genics Cancelled Screenshot.jpg

Following the release of the critically and commercially successful Super Meat Boy, artist Edmund McMillen and programmer Tommy Refenes of Team Meat began developing Mew-Genics.{{cite magazine |last=Capel |first=Chris J |date=January 8, 2022 |title=Here's Mewgenics{{'}} 'super fun' cat DnD combat, but it's still two years away |url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/mew-genics/release-date-combat |magazine=PCGamesN |access-date=December 21, 2022}} Announced in October 2012, the game was described by McMillen as being randomly generated, involving cats and the "strangest project [he had] ever worked on".{{cite magazine |last=Hilliard |first=Kyle |date=October 20, 2012 |title=Super Meat Boy Creators Announce New Game |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2012/10/20/super-meat-boy-creators-announce-new-game.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022072511/http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2012/10/20/super-meat-boy-creators-announce-new-game.aspx |url-status=live |archive-date=October 22, 2012 |magazine=Game Informer |access-date=December 20, 2022}} Drawing inspiration from The Sims, Pokémon, Animal Crossing and the Tamagotchi, Mew-Genics featured turn-based strategy combat, while leaning heavily into house hub element.{{cite web |last=Conditt |first=Jessica |date=January 13, 2013 |title=Mew-Genics reveals the sordid world of sewer cat racing |url=https://www.engadget.com/2013-01-13-mew-genics-reveals-the-sordid-world-of-sewer-cat-racing.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230831223449/https://tag.idsync.analytics.yahoo.com/sp-frame.html?referrer=https%3A//opus.analytics.yahoo.com/tag/opus-frame.html%3Freferrer%3Dhttps%3A//www.engadget.com/2013-01-13-mew-genics-reveals-the-sordid-world-of-sewer-cat-racing.html%26tbla_id%3D5e07abe2-1e38-4ed6-8b2d-eaca23024484-tuctbea9b09%26gdpr%3Dfalse%26gdpr_consent%3D%26gpp%3DDBABBg%7EBVoIgACA.QA%26gpp_sid%3D8%26us_privacy%3D1YNN%26reset_idsync%3D1 |archive-date=August 31, 2023 |access-date=December 20, 2022 |website=Engadget}} Cats could participate in various activities, such as beauty pageants and sewer races – as well as be cryogenically frozen for longevity.{{cite web |last=Frushtick |first=Russ |date=October 31, 2022 |title=Mewgenics: The 'sequel to Binding of Isaac{{'}} is an infinitely expanding cat combat mashup |url=https://www.polygon.com/23426622/mewgenics-binding-of-isaac-sequel-impressions-preview |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230415115250/https://www.polygon.com/23426622/mewgenics-binding-of-isaac-sequel-impressions-preview |archive-date=April 15, 2023 |access-date=December 20, 2022 |website=Polygon}} The cats would engage bosses in a manner principally styled after Pokémon, with their opponents becoming progressively more difficult with every fight.{{cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-M5lcswo3T4 |title=Unboxing of Isaac stream #5! |date=August 3, 2022 |last=McMillen |first=Edmund |medium=YouTube |language=English |author-link=Edmund McMillen |location=Santa Cruz, California, United States |access-date=December 21, 2022}} The game was intended to be a multi-platform title, with iOS being the first announced platform, followed by Steam and Android.{{cite web |last=Farokhmanesh |first=Megan |date=December 23, 2012 |title=First Mew-Genics platform revealed |url=https://www.polygon.com/2012/12/23/3797440/first-mew-genics-platform-revealed |access-date=December 20, 2022 |website=Polygon}} The game's soundtrack was composed by the two-member band Ridiculon, McMillen's repeat collaborators.{{cite web |last=Holmes |first=Jonathan |date=October 10, 2013 |title=Mew-Genics music reveals hints on the game's secrets |url=https://www.destructoid.com/mew-genics-music-reveals-hints-on-the-games-secrets/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230831223449/https://www.destructoid.com/mew-genics-music-reveals-hints-on-the-games-secrets/ |archive-date=August 31, 2023 |access-date=December 21, 2022 |website=Destructoid}}

Shortly after production began, McMillen and Refenes realized that they had underestimated the scope of Mew-Genics, with the game experiencing feature creep. Therefore, Team Meat temporarily shelved Super Meat Boy Forever, their planned handheld successor to Super Meat Boy, to prioritize Mew-Genics.{{cite web |last=Sliwinski |first=Alexander |date=February 5, 2013 |title=Super Meat Boy development for mobile paused |url=http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/05/super-meat-boy-development-for-mobile-paused/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130208014824/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/05/super-meat-boy-development-for-mobile-paused/ |archive-date=February 8, 2013 |website=Joystiq}} It was originally planned to be released in 2014, with a playable build for attendees at PAX Prime in Seattle, Washington between August and September 2013, but Team Meat announced directly before the event that it would only be exhibited and not playable.{{cite web |last=Crecente |first=Brian |date=August 31, 2013 |title=Mew-Genics won't be playable at PAX after all, but here's a teaser trailer |url=https://www.polygon.com/2013/8/31/4678844/mew-genics-wont-be-playable-at-pax-after-all-but-heres-a-teaser |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230831223450/https://www.polygon.com/2013/8/31/4678844/mew-genics-wont-be-playable-at-pax-after-all-but-heres-a-teaser |archive-date=August 31, 2023 |access-date=December 21, 2022 |website=Polygon}} The game was playable for the public at PAX East in Boston, Massachusetts, in April 2014, with Team Meat insisting it would still release that year.{{cite magazine |last=Hilliard |first=Kyle |date=April 13, 2014 |title=Mew-Genics Preview – Cat Combat Showcased With Mew-Genics Animated Gifs |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/games/mew-genics/b/pc/archive/2014/04/13/cat-combat-showcased-with-mew-genics-animated-gifs.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140414234826/http://www.gameinformer.com/games/mew-genics/b/pc/archive/2014/04/13/cat-combat-showcased-with-mew-genics-animated-gifs.aspx |url-status=live |archive-date=April 14, 2014 |magazine=Game Informer |access-date=December 21, 2022}} In August 2014, development of Mew-Genics was put on hold, with Refenes stating that the team would be working on refactoring the gameplay to make it more coherent.{{cite web |last=Suszek |first=Mike |date=August 30, 2014 |title=Mew-Genics on hold, will return when it's 'more coherent' |url=https://www.engadget.com/2014-08-30-mew-genics-on-hold-will-return-when-its-more-coherent.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201126042133/https://www.engadget.com/2014-08-30-mew-genics-on-hold-will-return-when-its-more-coherent.html |archive-date=November 26, 2020 |access-date=December 21, 2022 |website=Engadget}} After two years of no development, McMillen confirmed in 2016 that Mew-Genics had been cancelled, while his focus would be on his new project, The Legend of Bum-bo.{{cite web |last=Matulef |first=Jeffrey |date=March 24, 2016 |title=The Binding of Isaac dev announces The Legend of Bum-bo |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/the-binding-of-isaac-dev-announces-the-legend-of-bum-bo |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221221214012/https://www.eurogamer.net/the-binding-of-isaac-dev-announces-the-legend-of-bum-bo |archive-date=December 21, 2022 |access-date=December 21, 2022 |website=Eurogamer}} McMillen subsequently departed from Team Meat – he credited the divergent interests of the co-owners, with him wishing to pursue new intellectual properties while Refenes looked to further develop the Meat Boy franchise.{{cite magazine | last = Shea | first = Brian | url = https://www.gameinformer.com/2021/12/27/the-outcast-comes-home-the-life-and-career-of-edmund-mcmillen | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211227211621/https://www.gameinformer.com/2021/12/27/the-outcast-comes-home-the-life-and-career-of-edmund-mcmillen | url-status = live | archive-date = December 27, 2021 | title = The Outcast Comes Home – The Life And Career Of Edmund McMillen | access-date = December 21, 2022 | date = December 27, 2021 | magazine = Game Informer }}

= Final design and release =

File:Mewgenics_Prototype.jpg

In January 2018, McMillen announced in a blog post that he had secured the rights to Mewgenics (unhyphenated) from Team Meat and that the project would be developed with Tyler Glaiel, McMillen's collaborator from The End Is Nigh. The game's design would undergo a complete overhaul, with an anticipated release date several years away.{{cite web |last=Wales |first=Matt |date=January 11, 2018 |title=Binding of Isaac creator Edmund McMillen's cat game Mew-Genics is back from the dead |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/binding-of-isaac-creator-edmund-mcmillens-cat-game-mew-genics-is-back-from-the-dead |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221221214004/https://www.eurogamer.net/binding-of-isaac-creator-edmund-mcmillens-cat-game-mew-genics-is-back-from-the-dead |archive-date=December 21, 2022 |access-date=December 21, 2022 |website=Eurogamer}} While McMillen completed work on The Legend of Bum-bo, the final expansion for The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth called Repentance and the physical card game Tapeworm, Glaiel prototyped several gameplay variants for the rebooted Mewgenics.{{cite web |last=Tarason |first=Dominic |date=June 17, 2019 |title=Mew-genics back in production after six years stuck up a tree |url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/mew-genics-rides-again-with-real-time-tactical-cat-combat |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221205133826/https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/mew-genics-rides-again-with-real-time-tactical-cat-combat |archive-date=December 5, 2022 |access-date=December 21, 2022 |website=Rock Paper Shotgun}}{{cite web |last=Kapron |first=Nicola Jean |date=January 9, 2022 |title=Super Meat Boy Developer Shows Off Mew-Genics Combat |url=https://gamerant.com/super-meatboy-mew-genics-combat/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404212025/https://gamerant.com/super-meatboy-mew-genics-combat/ |archive-date=April 4, 2023 |access-date=December 21, 2022 |website=Game Rant}} The genres Glaiel tested included brawler and real-time strategy, though he found them to be too chaotic. In early 2020, a turn-based tactical role-playing prototype moved forward as the game's design. The game was built upon an engine developed by Glaiel since 2010 that was capable of importing SVG assets created in Adobe Flash, which was previously utilized for development of The End Is Nigh.{{cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8RNovXK6ck |title=Highly anticipated Mewgenics! |date=April 12, 2025 |last=Ściga |first=Łukasz |medium=YouTube |language=English |access-date=April 23, 2025}}

In October 2022, the official Steam page for Mewgenics was launched, touting it as a turn-based roguelike legacy game.{{cite magazine |last=Stewart |first=Marcus |date=October 28, 2022 |title=The Binding Of Isaac Creator's Long-Awaited Mewgenics Has A New Release Window |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/2022/10/28/the-binding-of-isaac-creators-long-awaited-mewgenics-has-a-new-release-window |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221028182958/https://www.gameinformer.com/2022/10/28/the-binding-of-isaac-creators-long-awaited-mewgenics-has-a-new-release-window |url-status=live |archive-date=October 28, 2022 |magazine=Game Informer |access-date=December 21, 2022}} In April 2025, with most of the content for Mewgenics completed, an official trailer blending live-action performances and in-game content was released.{{cite web |last=Chalk |first=Andy |title=13 years after it was first teased, the official Mewgenics trailer is here with live-action sexual dysfunction, brutal violence, a divine grudge, and more than 100 truly awful cats |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/games/roguelike/13-years-after-it-was-first-teased-the-official-mewgenics-trailer-is-here-with-live-action-sexual-dysfunction-brutal-violence-a-divine-grudge-and-more-than-100-truly-awful-cats/ |website=PC Gamer |access-date=June 6, 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250421150240/https://www.pcgamer.com/games/roguelike/13-years-after-it-was-first-teased-the-official-mewgenics-trailer-is-here-with-live-action-sexual-dysfunction-brutal-violence-a-divine-grudge-and-more-than-100-truly-awful-cats/ |archive-date=April 21, 2025 |date=April 4, 2025 }} During the 2025 PC Gaming Show, the game's release date of February 10, 2026 was announced.{{cite web |last=Jones |first=Ali |date=June 8, 2025 |title=Legendary roguelike dev behind The Binding of Isaac finally reveals the release date for his cat-eugenics strategy game, 13 years after it was originally announced |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/games/roguelike/legendary-roguelike-dev-behind-the-binding-of-isaac-finally-reveals-the-release-date-for-his-cat-eugenics-strategy-game-13-years-after-it-was-originally-announced/ |access-date=June 8, 2025 |website=GamesRadar+}}

Reception

The game was first previewed by journalist Russ Frushtick of Polygon on Halloween 2022, detailing his playthrough, as well as McMillen and Glaiel's account of the game's development history. He complimented it for being "one of the most ambitious and bizarre strategy games [he had] ever played." IGN journalist Tom Marks was given an extended preview of Mewgenics in May 2025 and praised the game for being one of the most exciting and nuanced roguelikes he had played in years.{{cite news |last=Marks |first=Tom |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/mewgenics-is-one-of-the-most-exciting-roguelikes-ive-played-in-years |title=Mewgenics Is One of the Most Exciting Roguelikes I’ve Played in Years |date=May 9, 2025 |work=IGN | accessdate = June 6, 2025}}