Stray Review

 

Meow...

(purr....)

Mmrrrr

Mrwoer....

(Purr..Purrr)

Hisssss...

Mewowowwwowweeow...

Score: 7/9 lives

------------------------------ 

But for real, Stray is a fun little game. It really makes you feel like cat.

When this game was first announced, the trailer immediately roped me in. The idea of playing as a cat in a sci-fi setting just seemed had the perfect amount of cuteness and intrigue. I've been around cats all my life and still love to be around them to this day. So it's only natural I'd be inclined to want to play this game and discover its world. 

Don't get so used to your friends

Stray is a short game. It doesn't take more than 6 hours to get through the whole story. It would have been shorter if I didn't get intentionally lost in the first area of the game. Your cat is outfitted with surprisingly few mechanics. You can meow and jump and run. Eventually, you can use a flashlight and UV ray but the flashlight is rarely needed and the UV ray is used sparingly. It's interesting how they make use of the limited options you have in new and slightly different ways. They also designed the cities you visit vertically, so each building and pathway are essentially puzzle boxes to solve.

Stray plays a lot like Untitled Goose Game in terms of how gameplay works. You basically pick up things and meow at people to get them to do what you need them to do. You find items that will distract robots so your cat can access places they shouldn't technically be in. Your goals are normally indirect. Since you're just a cat, you can't do too much in directly talking to people or stiff arming your way through areas. 

Art design of the robots is top notch and each important character is recognizable

While Untitled Goose Game had some really fun challenges, I didn't really think anything in Stray blew me away. It's standard puzzle solving fare. But despite the gameplay being put in the backseat, there certainly is a lot of charm and atmosphere loaded into this game.  

Aside from playing as the cutest littlest most bestest cat I have witnessed in gaming, the world built in this post-apocalyptic world is the most detailed I have ever seen. There are so many alleyways and pathways to meander around and so many rooms to search and people to meet. I almost feel rewarded just meeting new characters. And kudos for BlueTwelve Studios for making the most lifelike cat animations. The cat's model can delve into the uncanny valley at times, but man it was so cute to have that cat making little purrs and noises as it jogs around. 

Breathtaking views are many

While the gameplay is reminiscent of Untitled Goose Game, the world felt like it was ripped out of Final Fantasy VII mixed with that weird/not-so-best Justin Timberlake movie, In Time. There are rebellious organizations, dirty city underbellies, and the city is designed in tiers. The nicest parts are up top while the lower levels are left to rot near the sewers. While the cat's main objective is to get back up top to "The Outside" the scope increases as you meet more and more characters. The story isn't revolutionary, but it's definitely told well in my opinion.

If you have Playstation+ Extra or Premium, the game is worth a look. But at $30, it's a steep price to pay for playing as a cat for a few hours. I'd give it a 7/10. 

Cat!!!!