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About Wires And Whiskers
Wires and Whiskers is a fast‑paced, two‑player local co‑op experience where one player pilots a cybernetic lab gerbil and the other commands its armed exosuit. The duo must combine agile melee dashes with long‑range fire and magnetic puzzles to survive an irradiated world filled with mutated foes.
Developed by ISART DIGITAL students as a final‑year project, the game runs about 20‑30 minutes per playthrough. It is free to play on Windows and supports full controller use, split‑screen sharing, and remote‑play features for flexible couch or online sessions.
01 / THE GUIDE
Distinct Player Roles
Each participant controls a separate character: the gerbil focuses on quick movement and melee dashes, while the exosuit handles ranged attacks and magnetic interactions. This division forces players to coordinate their actions for combat and puzzle solving. The design emphasizes precise timing between the two roles, as survival depends on both melee and ranged contributions against mutated enemies and unstable technology.
- Practice syncing dash timing with exosuit fire to maximize damage.
- Discuss puzzle approaches before starting to reduce trial‑and‑error.
02 / THE GUIDE
Local Co‑op and Split‑Screen
The game is built for two players sharing a single screen, allowing both participants to see each other's actions in real time. Split‑screen support ensures each role has a clear view of its responsibilities. Co‑op is the core experience throughout the 20‑30 minute session, with both players coordinating on a shared screen.
- Position yourselves so both players can comfortably see the shared screen.
- Use voice cues to signal upcoming dashes or magnetic activations.

03 / THE GUIDE
Short Play Session
Wires and Whiskers delivers a concise experience lasting roughly twenty to thirty minutes. This duration is intentional for a student project, offering a complete narrative arc without extended grinding. Because the game is brief, each encounter and puzzle is designed to feel purposeful, encouraging multiple quick playthroughs for practice or casual fun.
- Plan a single sitting to finish the whole run without interruptions.
- Use the short length to experiment with different coordination styles.
04 / THE GUIDE
Full Controller Compatibility
The title lists full controller support, including DualShock and DualSense compatibility. Players are encouraged to use gamepads, as the feature list highlights them as recommended input devices. The feature list recommends gamepads as the primary input, whether on a console‑style pad or a PC gamepad.
- Choose a controller with comfortable thumbsticks for precise dashing.
- Check controller battery before a session to avoid mid‑game disconnections.
05 / THE GUIDE
Audio and Remote Play Features
Audio options include stereo and surround sound, giving players flexibility in sound immersion. Additionally, Remote Play on TV and Remote Play Together allow the game to be streamed to another display or shared online with a friend. These features expand how the co‑op can be experienced, from a couch setup to a remote session over the internet.
- Enable surround sound for clearer enemy audio cues.
- Test Remote Play Together before a session to ensure stable connection.





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