Ninja Cats: Tactics launches for PC via Steam Early Access on April 27

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Okay, so I’m super excited to share that Ninja Cats: Tactics is finally hitting Early Access on Steam on April 27th! The developers, Pit-Step, are planning on keeping it in Early Access for around 9 to 12 months while they continue to polish and improve the game based on player feedback. Can’t wait to jump in and start playing!

This strategy RPG will let players give commands using their voice, a key feature inspired by the Nintendo 64 game Hey You, Pikachu!. To make this work, the game, Pit-Step, uses artificial intelligence to understand spoken words in Japanese, English, and Chinese. Originally, the developers planned to use OpenAI’s Whisper AI, but they’ve since switched to Google Gemini.

Despite using AI in some aspects of development, Pit-Step confirms that all the images and videos shown from the game – including screenshots and trailers – feature artwork created by human artists. All illustrations, 3D models, and animations were made by hand.

The official Japanese website for Ninja Cats: Tactics has revealed the Japanese voice actors for the game’s characters, including the Ninja Cats themselves. According to a recent press release, these actors are all VTubers associated with popular agencies and groups like Holostars, Vlash, NoriPro, Specialite, and Uniraid.

Check out the latest screenshots for Ninja Cats: Tactics, and read details about the Early Access period as described on the Steam page, both available below.

Ninja Cats: Tactics screenshots



Why Early Access?

“NINJA CATS: Tactics aims to deliver a new kind of game experience where players raise 16 distinct characters with different personalities through microphone-based voice communication and fight tactical battles together with other players as true buddies.
Because each character’s personality, reactions, and relationship with the player are at the core of the experience, we believe the game will become even more engaging by developing it alongside our community, playing together, listening to feedback, and refining the experience over time.”

Approximately how long will this game be in Early Access?

“We currently expect the Early Access period to last approximately 9 to 12 months. To ensure the overall quality of the game and to further refine the voice conversation experience, progression systems, and battle balance, the timeline may be adjusted as needed. We plan to regularly share development progress and future plans through Steam announcements and other updates.”

How is the full version planned to differ from the Early Access version?

“We are currently planning to add the following features in the full version. These elements will be implemented flexibly, with priorities and details adjusted based on feedback gathered during the Early Access period.

– Expansion of dojo events, including the addition of a “Training Mode” to the progression system
– Tuning and adjustments to the ninja cats’ personalities and reactions
– Exploration of new camera angles and modes that make the ninja cats feel even cuter and more lovable
– Implementation of tournament features for online PvP mode
– Implementation of a crafting feature that allows players to customize their dojo”

What is the current state of the Early Access version?

“At the launch of the Early Access version, the following features will be playable.

– Voice-input-based raising mode (currently supports English, Simplified Chinese, and Japanese)
– 16 ninja cat characters, each with unique personalities and skills, all fully voiced
– Story mode with a total of 22 episodes, fully voiced in Japanese
– Tactical battles (single-player: battles against NPCs)
– Tactical battles (online PvP: matchmaking-based battles against other players)”

Will the game be priced differently during and after Early Access?

“After the full release, the price of the game may increase slightly. This adjustment helps support ongoing maintenance and future updates. By purchasing the game during Early Access, you can enjoy it at a more affordable price.”

How are you planning on involving the Community in your development process?

With NINJA CATS: Tactics, we want you to be a part of how the game evolves! You can share your thoughts and see development updates on the Steam Community, and give us direct feedback through surveys and discussions on Discord. We’ll use your input to help decide what features and updates we focus on, building the game with the community. Your voice will shape the future of NINJA CATS: Tactics, so please wishlist the game and join us on this adventure!

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2026-04-07 13:56