Cover art for Gomoku Cat

Gomoku Cat

A cat's quest for revenge through strategic board game battles

LogicGomoku Cat
8.3(278 votes)

Gomoku Cat

Gomoku Cat — Strategy Meets Revenge in a Lost City

Gomoku Cat - Strategic Board Game

Gomoku Cat weaves a dark narrative into classic board game mechanics. Something terrible has happened in a lost city in Japan. You are a cat who has lost an eye, and your singular mission is to find the one who took it. But this isn't a simple search—your path to revenge unfolds through strategic turn-based board game battles inspired by the ancient game of Gomoku. Build lines, form squares, create crosses, and construct angles to accumulate points and progress toward your goal.

🎮 What is Gomoku Cat?

Gomoku Cat reimagines the traditional Japanese board game Gomoku as a narrative-driven puzzle adventure. The classic five-in-a-row mechanics expand to include multiple shape-building objectives: lines, squares, crosses, and angles. Each turn matters as you compete to build these patterns, earning points and working toward one of several victory conditions—either reaching 666 points first or completing nine lines before your opponent.

The game's atmosphere sets it apart from typical board game adaptations. The story of a one-eyed cat seeking revenge in a mysterious Japanese city creates tension and purpose beyond abstract strategy. Available in both English and Russian with built-in tutorials, Gomoku Cat makes its strategic depth accessible while maintaining an engaging dark narrative.

🕹️ Controls

Gomoku Cat uses simple mouse-based controls for turn-based gameplay:

ActionControl
Select PositionCLICK board intersection
Place PieceCLICK to confirm placement
View TutorialCLICK tutorial button (English/Russian)
Check ScoreAutomatic display during game

The straightforward controls let you focus entirely on strategic decision-making rather than input complexity.

🧩 How to Play Gomoku Cat

Core Mechanics

Gomoku Cat revolves around turn-based shape construction on a board:

  1. Take Turns – You and your opponent alternate placing pieces on the board
  2. Build Shapes – Create lines, squares, crosses, and angles with your pieces
  3. Earn Points – Different shapes award different point values
  4. Track Progress – Monitor your score and completed patterns
  5. Pursue Victory – Race to meet one of the victory conditions
  6. Find the Eye-Taker – Progress through the narrative by winning battles

Shape Building System

Gomoku Cat expands traditional Gomoku with multiple shape types:

Lines

The classic Gomoku objective—align your pieces in consecutive rows:

  • Horizontal Lines – Five or more pieces in a row horizontally
  • Vertical Lines – Five or more pieces in a column vertically
  • Diagonal Lines – Five or more pieces along a diagonal
  • Line Length Matters – Longer lines may award bonus points

Squares

Create box patterns with your pieces:

  • Corner Pieces – Four pieces forming a square's corners
  • Size Variations – Different square sizes may have different values
  • Strategic Positioning – Squares can block opponent lines

Crosses

Form intersection patterns:

  • Central Piece – One piece at the center with extensions
  • Four Directions – Pieces extending in perpendicular directions
  • Point Value – Crosses typically award significant points

Angles

Create L-shaped or corner patterns:

  • Two-Direction Extension – Pieces forming a right angle
  • Flexible Placement – Angles can be oriented in multiple ways
  • Tactical Usage – Useful for blocking while building toward other patterns

Victory Conditions

Gomoku Cat offers multiple paths to victory:

Point Victory: 666 Points

The most straightforward win condition—accumulate 666 points before your opponent:

  • Shape Values – Different patterns award different points
  • Combination Building – Create multiple shapes with strategic placements
  • Point Efficiency – Balance quick points versus board control

Line Completion: Nine Lines

The more challenging objective—complete nine separate lines:

  • Line Tracking – Game counts completed horizontal, vertical, and diagonal lines
  • Strategic Focus – Prioritize line building over other shapes
  • Defensive Play – Block opponent lines while building your own

Strategic Approach

Success in Gomoku Cat requires balancing multiple objectives:

Opening Strategy

  • Control the Center – Central positions offer the most directional options
  • Create Potential Lines – Place pieces that can extend in multiple directions
  • Watch Opponent Patterns – Identify and block their developing shapes early

Mid-Game Tactics

  • Multi-Shape Placement – Position pieces that contribute to multiple potential shapes
  • Force Responses – Create threats that demand opponent defensive moves
  • Point Acceleration – As you approach 666 points, prioritize high-value shapes

End-Game Execution

  • Count to Victory – Know exactly how many more points or lines you need
  • Calculate Opponent Threats – Ensure they can't reach victory before you
  • Commit to Path – Choose between point accumulation or line completion and execute

📸 Gomoku Cat Strategic Journey

Gomoku Cat Story Setup

🐱 Beginning - The One-Eyed Cat's Mission

Gomoku Cat opens with its dark premise: a cat in a lost Japanese city, missing an eye, seeking the one responsible. This narrative frame transforms every board game battle into a step toward revenge. The tutorial (available in English and Russian) introduces you to the shape-building mechanics, explaining how lines, squares, crosses, and angles translate into points and progress.

Early games teach you the fundamental tension between offense and defense. Building your own shapes while blocking opponent patterns requires constant awareness of the entire board state. The 666-point goal feels distant at first, making early victories often come through the nine-line condition instead.

Gomoku Cat Strategic Patterns

🎲 Mid-Game - Pattern Recognition

As you progress through Gomoku Cat, pattern recognition becomes crucial. You start seeing board positions not as individual piece placements but as potential shape completions. A single piece might simultaneously extend two lines, create a square corner, and form part of a cross—this multi-purpose positioning separates novice from expert play.

The narrative continues to unfold between battles, your cat protagonist moving deeper into the mysterious city. Each victory brings you closer to discovering who took your eye, but first you must master the strategic demands of each encounter.

Gomoku Cat Complex Tactics

⚔️ Advanced Strategy - Dual Victory Pursuit

Advanced Gomoku Cat play requires simultaneously pursuing both victory conditions. You build toward nine lines while accumulating points, keeping both paths open until the optimal moment to commit to one. This flexibility confounds opponents who can't predict which victory condition to defend against.

The shape variety creates fascinating strategic depth. Sometimes a square blocks a crucial opponent line. Sometimes sacrificing immediate points to complete your eighth line sets up an unstoppable ninth-line completion. The best moves serve multiple purposes, advancing your position while limiting opponent options.

Gomoku Cat Victory Conclusion

🏆 Victory - Finding the Eye-Taker

Victory in Gomoku Cat carries double satisfaction: the strategic accomplishment of outmaneuvering your opponent and the narrative progression toward your cat's revenge. Whether you reach 666 points through clever shape-building or complete your ninth line with a brilliant setup, each win advances the story.

The game's combination of accessible rules and strategic depth makes every match engaging. The dark narrative provides context and motivation beyond abstract board game competition, transforming Gomoku Cat from a simple Gomoku adaptation into a unique puzzle adventure experience.

💡 Tips for Gomoku Cat Success

  1. Learn Shape Values - Understand which patterns award the most points for efficient scoring
  2. Think Multi-Purpose - Place pieces that contribute to multiple potential shapes
  3. Count Lines Early - Track your line completion progress; nine lines might arrive sooner than expected
  4. Block Strategically - Not every opponent threat needs blocking; prioritize the most dangerous
  5. Center Control - Central positions offer maximum directional flexibility
  6. Plan Two Moves Ahead - Anticipate opponent responses to your placements
  7. Flexible Victory Path - Keep both 666 points and nine lines as viable options until forced to commit
  8. Use Tutorial - The built-in English/Russian tutorial ensures you understand all shape types

Gomoku Cat proves that classic board game mechanics can support compelling narratives. The tale of a one-eyed cat seeking revenge through strategic battles creates memorable context for every placement decision. Whether you're drawn by the dark story or the strategic depth, Gomoku Cat delivers a unique puzzle experience that respects both traditional Gomoku heritage and modern narrative gaming.

Gameplay Video