Stars in the Trash Review — Catty Adventures with Old-School Animation

Stars in the Trash is an exceptional hand-drawn, cat-centric platforming game crafted with a deep love for classic animated films. Every corner of the game captures the essence of vintage animation, offering both a nostalgic experience and an impressive display of artistic craftsmanship. Developed by a small team, this game is a testament to what passion, dedication, and creativity can achieve. While it has a few quirks, the game will surely attract a devoted following among cat lovers, classic animation fans, and platforming enthusiasts alike.

The story of Stars in the Trash follows a mischievous housecat who, after being thwarted by another household pet, finally seizes the chance to escape into the outside world and cause some trouble. At first, his adventures are carefree and filled with whimsical chaos, but the tone shifts when the kennelman begins prowling the streets. Our cat protagonist, now facing a more sinister threat, must find a way back to the safety and comfort of his suburban home.

One of the most striking aspects of Stars in the Trash is its breathtaking art style, which serves as the heart of the entire experience. The game is entirely hand-drawn with watercolor-inspired art and animation. From the characters to the backgrounds, every visual element has been carefully designed and meticulously animated. Each frame exudes an old-world charm reminiscent of the golden age of animation. The attention to detail is astounding—whether it’s a simple jump or a cutscene, every movement is rendered through meticulously crafted frame-by-frame animation. This gives the game a cinematic quality, seamlessly blending short cutscenes into the gameplay.

The artistry of Stars in the Trash becomes even more impressive, considering that all the animation and artwork were created by a small team of animators. Animation is a labor-intensive process, and their dedication is evident in the game’s smooth, fluid movements. The world feels alive, with every moment on screen crafted as if it were a standalone piece of art.

In terms of gameplay, Stars in the Trash offers a straightforward platforming adventure. Players will encounter a series of puzzles that are enjoyable while not overly complex or demanding and complement the game’s narrative-focused tone. Most challenges involve platforming sequences where you ascend to new heights or retrieve specific items. Combat is also included, with one particularly memorable boss fight featuring a vacuum cleaner.

While not groundbreaking, the mechanics act as a vehicle for the game’s storytelling. Stars in the Trash is primarily a narrative-driven experience, where progressing through levels feels like part of the story rather than a series of disconnected challenges. The game features ten levels, which can be completed in about two to three hours, depending on your platforming skills. Although the gameplay is relatively simple, the engaging story and captivating visuals should keep players hooked until the end.

While Stars in the Trash is a well-crafted game overall, a few quirks might disrupt the experience for some players. One issue is the game’s transitions between segments or game-over scenes. These transitions are somewhat abrupt, often featuring a brief animation followed by an ink splotch that leads directly to the next section. The same transition occurs when the player fails an objective, such as during a stealth segment. This repetition can make it unclear whether you’re progressing or failing, which momentarily breaks the game’s flow.

A more significant issue is the lack of a mid-level save function. If you quit during a level, the game doesn’t save your progress, meaning you’ll need to restart the level upon reopening. Additionally, newly unlocked levels didn’t save properly when I exited the game, forcing me to replay sections. While the game’s two-hour length makes this less problematic, a basic save feature would allow players to enjoy the game at their own pace.

Stars in the Trash is a beautifully crafted game that highlights the power of hand-drawn animation and artistic dedication. Its nostalgic nod to classic animated films, combined with straightforward platforming gameplay, makes it a unique experience worth exploring. The small team behind the game clearly poured their heart and soul into every frame, creating something that feels as much like a work of art as it does a playable adventure.

Though it has a few technical quirks—notably the absence of a proper save system—these don’t significantly detract from the game’s overall charm and appeal. For platformer fans, animation enthusiasts, and cat lovers, Stars in the Trash delivers a delightful experience that will resonate with anyone who appreciates old-school animation. With some additional polish, this game could quickly become a timeless favorite.

Try Hard Guides received a PC review code for this game. Find more detailed looks at popular and upcoming titles on our Game Reviews page! Stars in the Trash is available on Steam and will launch on Nintendo Switch in the future.