The Cat and the Coup

You play as the cat of Dr. Mohammed Mossadegh, Iran’s first democratically elected prime minister. The game revisits significant events in his life, including the 1953 coup that brought about his downfall.

As the cat, you move through illustrated scenes and interfere with Mossadegh and his surroundings: knocking objects from shelves, scattering papers, and scratching him. These disruptions are part of the way you guide the scenes forward.

Each scene includes a simple puzzle, often involving where to move or what to disturb. The scenes form a short historical journey, presented in a visual style inspired by Persian miniature art and mixed with other imagery.

Players often praise the distinctive Persian-inspired artwork and the unusual choice to explore Mossadegh’s history through the actions of his cat. Many find the short, simple puzzles an effective way to accompany the historical scenes, and some appreciate the reflective or educational quality of the experience. Others note that the game is very brief, offers little puzzle depth, and can leave its symbolism or historical context unclear.