How many characters can I romance in Cat President: 3rd-Rate Candidate?

There are six main cat candidates, each with their own storyline and romance possibilities.

Are there different endings for each character?

Yes, each candidate has three possible endings: a "Dumpster Fire" (bad) ending, an "Also Ran" (neutral) ending, and a "Success" (good) ending, determined by your choices throughout their route.

Do I need to play previous Cat President games to understand this one?

No, "Cat President: 3rd-Rate Candidate" is designed to be a standalone experience and does not require knowledge of the previous games in the series.

What kind of humor does the game have?

The game features a blend of political parody and romantic comedy, with numerous cat puns and general political jokes. Its humor is described as absurd, quirky, and lighthearted.

Introduction to Cat President: 3rd-Rate Candidate

"Cat President: 3rd-Rate Candidate" is a comedic visual novel developed by Oh, a Rock! Studios, where players take on the role of a human campaign manager for one of six wildly incompetent feline candidates vying for the U.S. presidency. Set in an alternate world where pets talk and humans are banned from politics, the game blends political parody with romantic comedy, offering a story-heavy experience with nearly 100,000 words of dialogue. The game does not require prior knowledge of the previous "Cat President" entries.

Gameplay Mechanics and Endings

As a visual novel, gameplay in "Cat President: 3rd-Rate Candidate" is primarily choice-driven. Players make decisions that influence the campaign and their relationships with the cat candidates. Each candidate's route features three distinct endings: a "Success" (good) ending, an "Also Ran" (neutral) ending, and a "Dumpster Fire" (bad) ending. Choices that are considered "right" often result in a pleasant ding, while "wrong" answers produce a low sound of disappointment, making it easier to track progress towards a desired ending. These decisions shape the narrative, leading to varied storylines that are about an hour and a half long per route.

The Presidential Candidates

There are six main cat candidates, each presenting a different flavor of chaos and a unique storyline. Players can customize their character's name, pronouns, and the genders of the cats they date.

Cardoon: The current Vice President who now seeks the presidency. Known for political scheming and a reputation for back-stabbing and "cat scratching." Their route explores themes of political responsibility and navigating drama. One reviewer enjoyed Cardoon's route and recommended doing it last, as it can answer lingering questions from other routes.

Finkle: A "Sharpclaw" senator and a contrarian who dislikes other Sharpclaws and boasts about rejecting bills. Finkle's route focuses on confrontation, infighting, and a candidate who gains momentum despite picking fights. Beneath the trolling exterior, Finkle is described as deadpan, sarcastic, and capable of being sweet.

Jelly Jam: An "unholy monstrosity" with a cat's head and a human body, obsessed with musicals and theatre. Jelly Jam's speeches are sung, though not necessarily well. This route is considered a "joke route" within a joke game, leaning into extreme humor. The reviewer found it extremely funny but less engaging for dating due to the questionable appearance.

Nano: A dedicated scientist who does "a lot of things FOR SCIENCE!". Nano's route can involve a confusing time loop. This character was highly favored by one reviewer.

Pollytrix: A cat with heterochromia, exhibiting traits of having two different personalities. Described as a "flip-flopper" who struggles to maintain a consistent position for more than a week. Pollytrix was also a favorite of a reviewer.

Zeus: A superhero-obsessed cat who supposedly does not have an alter-ego named Superter. Zeus's route plays with superhero genre tropes and secret-identity energy while maintaining political satire. This route was described as fun and sweet, with the protagonist lowkey crushing on Zeus's superhero alter ego. Zeus was another character favored by a reviewer.

Character Recommendations and Player Preferences

While "best" characters in a visual novel are often subjective and depend on individual player preference, one reviewer provided a ranking based on their enjoyment of the characters and their respective routes. This ranking places the candidates as follows:

1. Nano 2. Pollytrix 3. Cardoon 4. Finkle 5. Zeus 6. Jelly Jam

The reviewer noted a particular fondness for Nano, Pollytrix, and Zeus. Cardoon and Finkle also have their moments. Jelly Jam's route is highlighted as an extremely funny "joke route," though the reviewer personally cared less for dating this character due to their appearance. The routes are distinct, offering varied storylines and humor.

The Protagonist and Best Friend Thomas

Players control a customizable human campaign manager, whose default name is George Adams. The protagonist is initially not interested in politics, which humorously positions them as a "third-rate campaign manager".

Thomas, the protagonist's best friend, is a consistent character across all routes and a "total politics nerd". His role varies, sometimes acting as a rival, but he remains a supportive friend throughout the game, which is a rare and appreciated dynamic in dating games.

General Gameplay Tips

Choice Matters: Your decisions directly impact which of the three endings (Dumpster Fire, Also Ran, Success) you achieve for each candidate.

Audio Cues: Pay attention to the audio cues; a pleasant "ding" indicates a "right" answer, while a low sound signifies a "wrong" one, helping you navigate choices for desired outcomes.

Replayability: Each route is designed to be distinct, minimizing repetition after the initial political fair. The game encourages replaying to experience all routes and endings.

Humor is Key: The game's humor, including cat puns and political jokes, is a central aspect of its appeal. If you enjoyed the game's trailer, you'll likely find the full game funny.

Romance as an Element: While it is a visual novel with romance options, some reviewers note that the romance can feel like an afterthought, with the political parody taking center stage. The romance is generally portrayed in a cute and innocent way.

Continuity: While storylines are route-specific, the cats' personalities remain consistent across routes, allowing for a deeper understanding of their actions once you've explored their individual stories.

Cat President: 3rd-Rate Candidate - Character Guide and Recommendations

Quick Summary