The game is Stray. Developed by Blue Twelve. Published by Annapurna Interactive.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stray_(video_game)
Without spoiling anything, there's way more to this than just a cat simulator. Loving it so far, in any case. I recommend this to anyone who loves exploring new worlds, interacting with lots of locals, solving puzzles. Everything about it has both a familiar RPG feel and also a sense of new to it. And it plays really well on Linux via Steam.
It's punk af. Punk is a leftist/inclusive/anti-authoritarian movement that focuses on self-reliance and direct activism to get shit done. A lot of the general punk scene has been all over the board on their optimism/pessimism about our ability to affect meaningful change. Recently, subgenres of punk have sprung up that are very much still punk, but focus on one category of change or have a more optimistic outlook. Solarpunk is a branch of the punk movement with a green focus. Hopepunk focuses on can optimistic outlook with traditional punk values. Fashion-wise and music-wise, they tend to lean towards greens/blues or brighter/lighter colors or more folk-punk or upbeat tunes.
Weird Barbie would definitely qualify as hopepunk.
Just like any other sub-genre, though, if it rubs you the wrong way, it's generally fine to just refer to it as the parent genre. Hopepunk is still punk, so feel free to call it that if it works better for you.
Ok thanks. That makes sense. I'm always glad to see when anyone can still express hope for a better future.