The Bad Kids
Released Jan 2023
As an adaptation of the popular suspecse TV series, Cat's Cradle, this game combines investigation, solving puzzles and reasoning with original stories, which can build a more Immersive experience. Game will build new stories based on original setting and focus on the inner world of the character.
76% positive · 622 reviews
Done
All announced content has been released
High confidence
Done
All announced content has been released
High confidence
Where to buy
Steam $7.99
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Evaluation
The Bad Kids launched on January 17, 2023 as a complete narrative adventure game — an adaptation of the TV series "Cat's Cradle." In the day-before-release announcement on January 17, 2023, the developer addressed DLC directly, stating they had "been considering DLC in the future" but that it was limited by human resources and they could "only resolve all the problems step by step." This is a tentative, non-committal statement, not an announcement of planned content.
Following launch, the developer focused entirely on polish and stability: multiple bug fix patches shipped in January and February 2023, gamepad support was added in March 2023, and the Mac version launched in March 2023. The April 2023 post was a behind-the-scenes art design retrospective with no mention of upcoming content. No DLC has ever been listed on the store, and no roadmap or future content announcement has been made.
The developer's last communication was the art retrospective post on April 13, 2023. The game has received no updates or announcements since then. Given that this is a finite, story-driven adaptation with a single major content release and no subsequent content cadence, and that the developer's only DLC comment was non-committal, the game launched as a complete product and has remained so. There is no evidence of any planned or in-progress content.
Evidence
Official launch announcement confirming the game is on sale. Mac version and gamepad support noted as still in progress at the time.
Developer addressed DLC questions on launch day, saying they had 'been considering DLC in the future' but cited limited human resources as a constraint, with no concrete plans announced.
Media
Details
Developer
Publisher
LightOn Game
Achievements
41
Platform
Windows, macOS
Controller
partial support
Steam Deck
Playable
Players
Single-player
About this game
Game Instruction
As an adaptation of the popular suspecse TV series, Cat's Cradle, this game combines investigation, solving puzzles and reasoning with original stories, which can build a more Immersive and unique experience.In this game, scenes are built by 3D technology, which will make a horrorable environment by using unique designing of colors, light and shadow.
This game will build new stories based on original setting and focus on the inner world of the character. Characters’ contradiction, struggle and liberation will be shown by more Imaginary ways.
Suspense Stories
You will play the part of Zhu Chaoyang, experience an unimaginable nightmare for ordinary junior-high students, and face the deep fear in your heart.Deteriorated family, false friendship, greedy and selfish human nature, the game shows the coldness and cruelty of the adult world incisively and vividly from the perspective of a child. Can Zhu Chaoyang remain in innocent and kind after being soaked in darkness? You will uncover the ending by your own.
Original Gameplay
In this game, there are many different ways to play, including puzzles solving, exploration, investigation, logical reasoning and interactive performance, which aim to bringing different experiences.There are rich exploration elements in in the 3D world. You can piecing up the hidden truth by looking for scattered clues and fragments.
The gameplay is closely combined with the original story. You will investigate the layers of mysteries that happen to Zhu Chaoyang, and excavate the truth of the story, finally face the ultimate confrontation with the murderous monster.
Through innovative stories, exquisite game scenes, and diversified interaction, you will obtain an unforgettable audio-visual feast in the game.
Written at the end
This is our first time to challenge a game adapted from TV series. In fact, up to now, our hearts are still full of anxiety. Our experience and strength will be seriously challenged, because "Cat's Cradle" has a high popularity and influence in China. Worry and anxiety constantly haunt our team.We spent nearly a year to watch novels and TV series intensively, investigated all the analysis and comments on the network, and finally determined our ction after countless iterations of the scheme. We will divide the game into 5 chapters: The preface, Chapter 1-mom, Chapter 2-dad, Chapter 3-friends and Final chapter. Through these 5 chapters, we want to express the family relations, family affection, education and friendship of teenagers in reality, which may make a realistic resonance with players. We hope to offer players not only the story atmosphere an entertainment of gameplay, but also some deep thoughts about the harm of original family during the growth of teenagers.
Hope you can like and support our game. Also hope to get your suggestions and feedback in the community.
Last evaluated Jun 21, 2026
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