Thirteen years. That’s how long Mewgenics has existed in some form — from its original 2012 announcement to its February 10, 2026 launch on Steam. Edmund McMillen’s cat-breeding tactical roguelite is finally here, and it’s been worth the wait.
The Long Road to Release
Mewgenics was first announced in October 2012 by Team Meat (McMillen’s studio with Tommy Refenes). Development was put on hold in 2014, cancelled in 2016 while McMillen worked on The Legend of Bum-bo, then restarted in January 2018 when McMillen secured the rights and brought on co-developer Tyler Glaiel. The current iteration has been in active development for approximately five years, though from announcement to release, it spans 13.
McMillen calls it his “longest dev cycle.” Given his portfolio includes The Binding of Isaac and Super Meat Boy, that says something.
What It Actually Is
Mewgenics is a “deeply tactical legacy roguelite” built around cat breeding. You breed cats with unique traits, send them on procedurally-generated adventures, customize them in absurd depth, and watch strange synergies emerge. The gameplay features tactical turn-based combat, an item shop system, boss fights, and an isometric perspective.
McMillen described the game’s scope as comparable to “Rebirth + Afterbirth” — referencing his massive Binding of Isaac expansions. If you know what that means, you know this game has depth.
Reception: The First Must-Play of 2026
The numbers speak for themselves:
- Recouped its development budget in just 3 hours after launch
- Sold over 1 million copies in its first week
- OpenCritic: 89 average, 95% recommended — earning “Must-Play” status, the first game of 2026 to achieve this
PC Gamer, among others, delivered glowing reviews. The consensus is that McMillen has delivered another generational indie game — one that will likely sustain a dedicated community for years.
What’s Next
Mewgenics is currently PC only (Steam, with Steam Deck Verified support). McMillen stated in October 2025 that console ports are planned for 2026, but no specific dates have been announced. The base game is $29.99, with a 10% launch discount available through February 24.
If you’re an indie game fan or a Binding of Isaac devotee, this one’s a no-brainer.
