Mewgenics is a turn-based roguelite tactics game where you breed quirky cats, assign them classes via collars, and lead parties of four into procedurally generated adventures full of grid-based battles, random events, and grotesque bosses. Developed by Edmund McMillen of The Binding of Isaac fame, it blends deep genetic manipulation, house management, and tactical combat in a world obsessed with poop, mutations, and feline survival. Released on Steam on February 10, 2026, the game promises over 200 hours of replayability through emergent synergies and endless experimentation.
Whether you're wiping out your first party in the Alley biome or optimizing bloodlines for late-game bosses, these tips will help you land on your paws. We've compiled the best advice from expert guides to get you started strong.
1. Tweak the UI and Use Tactical View Right Away
The game's chaotic, hand-drawn art can obscure key details. Before your first run, head to settings: shrink status bars and tooltips, and dial down film grain or noise for clarity. In combat, middle-click (or Y/triangle on controller) for tactical view, which simplifies the grid into green cats, red enemies, and gray obstacles, making positioning a breeze.
2. Clean Up the Poop - Every Time
Poop isn't just gross; it tanks house Comfort and Health stats, leading to fights, injuries, and deaths. Click every turd in the furniture menu between runs. It's a simple habit that keeps your colony thriving.
3. Always Pack a Cleric
Healing is scarce - no fountains or shops mid-run. Equip a Cleric collar for a party healer whose basic attack restores HP and who can learn revives. Pair with a tank to sustain longer fights.
4. Prioritize House Stats Wisely
Furniture from Baby Jack (unlocked post-Caves) boosts key metrics:
| Stat | Icon | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Comfort | 💤 | More breeding, fewer fights |
| Stimulation | 🧶 | Better trait inheritance |
| Health | ⚕️ | Heals injuries/diseases |
| Mutation | 🧬 | Chance for powerful mutations |
| Appeal | 🏠 | Attracts better strays |
Focus Appeal first for quality strays, then Comfort and Stimulation. Clean poop to maintain Health without furniture.
5. Donate Excess Cats for Upgrades
Overcrowding spikes food costs and drama. Donate retirees to Frank (rooms/storage), injured to Baby Jack (furniture), kittens to Tink (breeding intel), and mutants to Dr. Beanies (quests). Cull weaklings early - keep only those with 6+ base stats.
6. Backstab for 25% Extra Damage
Position behind enemies for bonus damage (and crits with some builds). Never expose your back - enemies exploit it too. Face your direction before ending turns.
7. Kill Birds on Sight
Random birds (chickens, pigeons) drop items and All-Stats-Up buffs. They flee fast, so prioritize despite low HP.
8. Check Turn Order and Hover Everything
Top-right turn order dictates threats - eliminate high-speed foes first. Hover enemies for behaviors (e.g., enrage on ally death) and tiles for pickups (food heals, catnip mana).
9. Buy Rare Candies and Spend Wisely
10 coins levels a random cat. Grab them every shop. Save for skill activations like Vet (heal) or Hitman (summon).
10. Take Hard Paths When Strong
Post-midboss, harder routes yield better loot despite risks. Skip if battered.
11. End Runs Early if Needed
After a boss, bail to save cats, items, and resources. Better than a wipe.
12. Pump Luck and Be Conservative on Checks
Luck boosts event success and crits. Only risk checks with 7+ stats - failures curse cats permanently.
13. Breed Smart: Base Stats and No Inbreeding
Kittens inherit base stats (view via Tink). Avoid family trees in same rooms to dodge defects. Keep potent ability cats for inheritance.
14. Use Items Freely
Many degrade or are consumable - equip everything. Some activate every turn without costing actions.
15. Eat Ground Debris and Loot Thoroughly
Hover tiles for edibles that heal. Grab food/coins/catnip mid-fight.
16. Choose Synergistic Skills and Classes
Level-ups offer drafts - pick complements to collar (e.g., trap damage for trappers). Tanks for Con, Mages for Int/Cha. Experiment hybrids.
17. Watch for Injuries and Exhaustion
Zero HP = incapacitate/injury. Revive risks explosion. End fights before Turn 10 Exhaustion.
18. Treasure Mutations
+2 stat (with -1 trade-off usually) beats max base 7. Keep winners.
19. Separate Strong and Weak Cats
Attic for kittens/weaklings; prime rooms for breeders/combatants.
20. Embrace Failure and Experiment
Wipes teach mechanics. Try thorns tanks, minion swarms, or poop-eaters. The game's depth rewards bold plays.