Released: June 27, 2023 Available on: Steam/Switch Genre: Casual Puzzle
Developer: Max Inferno Publisher: Secret Mode
A Little To The Left Cat Petting Level moments? Let’s explore what this DLC offers.
More Puzzles to Organize Your Digital World
“A Little to the Left’s Cupboards and Drawers” generously expands the core game with 25 new levels dedicated to the art of tidying. The focus here is squarely on cupboards and drawers of all kinds, including tackle boxes and similar containers with internal compartments. Each level presents a delightful mess of scattered items, often haphazardly placed within drawers. Your task is to bring order to the chaos, figuring out the correct placement for each object.
Initially, some solutions are intuitive, perhaps guided by a clearly defined space for a specific item. However, as you progress, the puzzles become more intricate, particularly when dealing with groups of items intended for a single compartment. The challenge escalates with the introduction of multi-drawer scenarios, requiring you to strategically switch between drawers to place items in their designated spots.
The Hidden Aesthetic Rule: Beyond Simple Placement
While the primary objective is item placement, “Cupboards & Drawers” subtly emphasizes an “aesthetic rule.” This means merely putting things in the right place isn’t always enough. The game often encourages symmetrical arrangements, patterns, alternating directions, or organization by color or number, depending on the puzzle’s context. When a level remains incomplete despite correct placements, the key often lies in identifying and rectifying a violation of this unspoken aesthetic principle. This adds an extra layer of satisfying depth to the puzzle-solving.
Relaxing and Fresh Gameplay
The DLC levels strike a perfect chord of relaxation and engagement. Despite the recurring theme of drawers and cupboards, the gameplay remains surprisingly fresh. This is largely thanks to the introduction of diverse new items and various types of drawers and cupboards, keeping each level visually and mentally stimulating. The puzzles are designed to be approachable yet thought-provoking, ensuring a calming and enjoyable experience.
Initially, confronting a cluttered drawer might seem overwhelming. However, as you begin to analyze the items and strategically place them, the initial feeling of being overwhelmed gradually dissipates. This mirrors real-life organization, where tackling a messy space can feel daunting at first, but the satisfaction of order emerges as you progress. For the most part, the puzzles are reasonably straightforward. Challenges typically arose when a small item was obscured by another object or hidden beneath a drawer, or when I overlooked the crucial aesthetic rule.
To maintain a balanced pace, the DLC thoughtfully intersperses more involved levels with lighter, quicker puzzles, providing moments of respite and preventing gameplay fatigue.
Limited Multiple Solutions, High Level Quality
While only a handful of levels offer multiple solutions, this design choice feels appropriate for the DLC’s theme. Given the focus on organization and specific placement within drawers and cupboards, expecting numerous solutions might be unrealistic. The overall level design is commendable, with a vast majority of levels being genuinely enjoyable. Personal exceptions included pegboard puzzles, which I found slightly less intuitive without a clear starting point, and the second to last level, which felt somewhat out of place in terms of tone. However, the final level was a highlight, achieving a perfect length and satisfying conclusion, leaving me wanting perhaps just one or two more sequences due to its enjoyable nature.
The Cat Returns: Cuter and Less Mischievous
The beloved feline companion from the main game makes a welcome return, but in “Cupboards & Drawers,” the cat adopts a decidedly cuter, less destructive role. Unlike the original game where the cat might playfully disrupt your carefully organized items, here, the cat interludes are purely focused on adorableness. Four dedicated levels serve as charming breaks, featuring the cat in endearing situations where your only task is to pet it. These a little to the left cat petting level segments are a delightful and heartwarming addition.
One of these a little to the left cat petting level sequences even humorously hints at the cat’s mischievous tendencies in the main game. In one interlude, you pet the cat after it has playfully pushed a cup out of a cupboard. This subtle nod suggests that perhaps positive reinforcement, even for slightly naughty actions, is at play in the cat’s behavior.
Hint System: Room for Improvement
The “Let It Be” skip option and hint system from the base game are retained in the DLC. However, the hints remain solution-oriented, directly revealing the correct placement for all items. This DLC highlighted a desire for a more nuanced hint system. Instead of fully revealing the solution, a system that offers incremental clues, perhaps like peeling back “post-it notes” covering sections of the answer, would be more beneficial. A tiered hint approach, starting with a subtle nudge like revealing the placement of a single key item, and then progressively unveiling more of the solution, would be a significant improvement. Often, just a small directional push is enough to overcome a sticking point without completely spoiling the puzzle.
Addressing Misconceptions about Level Count
Some negative reviews have mistakenly claimed that the DLC lacks 25 new puzzles due to the inclusion of the four a little to the left cat petting level interludes. However, this is inaccurate. “Cupboards & Drawers” includes a total of 29 levels (30 if you include the credits), and even after subtracting the four cat interludes, there are still 25 полноценных puzzle levels. Only one level, the aforementioned second-to-last level, could be argued as not being a “true” puzzle level due to its joke-like nature.
Regarding technical issues, a minor bug was encountered with the “Where Is My Cap?” achievement, which reportedly didn’t unlock if not earned during the initial playthrough of the level in a session. However, this issue appears to be resolved with a patch.
Final Verdict: A Must-Have for Organization Enthusiasts and Cat Lovers
Verdict
“Cupboards and Drawers” is a highly enjoyable and worthwhile DLC. As someone who appreciates real-life organization, this expansion was a perfect fit. It delivers on the satisfying promise of tidying virtual spaces. While levels may initially appear overwhelming, the process of discovering the correct placement for each item is deeply rewarding. The ultimate satisfaction of completing a level, with everything neatly and aesthetically arranged, is genuinely fulfilling. And of course, the undeniably cute cat interludes, especially the a little to the left cat petting level moments, are a delightful bonus. Minor criticisms aside, “Cupboards & Drawers” is a strong recommendation for fans of “A Little to the Left” and anyone who finds joy in puzzle games and digital organization.
Furthermore, the concept of themed DLCs is highly appealing. Future expansions focusing on organizing bookcases, desks, food items, or other specific categories would be enthusiastically welcomed. A nail polish organization level, in particular, is a personal wish – the possibilities for satisfyingly themed puzzles are vast.
