The Stray Review: Cat’s Out of the Box!
Reviewed on PlayStation 5
With the internet flooded with TikToks of people’s fluffy companions reacting to the newly released Stray, I decided to take a deep dive into the game. Luckily for me, Stray was included in PlayStation Plus Extra & Premium.
I’m not very familiar with Puzzle or Indie games but I would describe Stray as semi-linear. There are levels where I could roam freely and explore my world; other sections of the game have limited exploration. The protagonist is (you guessed it) a stray cat!
The cat does not have any special abilities or powers, it is a normal cat that can be found in a regular pet store today. Although it is much savvier when it comes to puzzles and finding clues.
Stray gives the player a dedicated ‘meow’ button. A mechanic that I absolutely abused and I now have the trophy to show for it. Players can also climb onto ledges and knock over any object that stands in their way, creating a path of tiny destruction. I quickly became in tune with my inner feline as I ventured through narrow alleys, bars, and robot homes.
Big Things Come in Small Packages
Despite Stray being a smaller, more linear world than what is included in bigger title games, it felt more alive and full than most. Within 30 minutes, Stray lived up to the hype it was receiving on social media.
Some areas of the game have fewer NPC characters to interact with, but most conversations are fun to engage in no matter how they impact the story. As far as I know, none of the side quests peppered throughout the game make an impact on the story; and I’m okay with it.
I had a blast talking with every robot I found! Some were silly, some were weird, and others were sweet. As I progressed through the story or interacted with levels, I noticed the world changing. NPCs were in different places and some had new dialogue making Stray feel more dynamic.
The total time it took for me to complete Stray was about 6 and a half hours. Had I played through it without getting distracted by the beautiful neon landscapes or memorable music, I may have finished the game in 5 hours. I tried my best to explore as many nooks and crannies as I could efficiently find. I did not want to overexert myself stressing and looking for every item to discover (and there are a decent amount of them). Yet, I still added around an extra hour and a half to my gameplay.
Items are relatively easy to come across but some pose a more difficult challenge than others. Trophy Hunters will find Stray to be an enjoyable game to play for 100% completion.
BlueTwelve Studio hits it out of the park with Stray.
– Richard Zaldivar
Stray has an amazing Original Soundtrack to pair with the variety of moods in the game. Eerie musical tones slowly creep up on our furry friend as you explore abandoned structures. Hard-hitting bass and rapid rhythms chase our tail in lively environments or high-stress scenarios.
The use of the soundtrack and ambient sounds greatly amplified the atmosphere playing as the lone feline. Many times I catch myself playing some of the random radios placed within the city just to vibe with the futuristic tunes & tones. Well put together OSTs are always a welcoming touch from developers and BlueTwelve Studio hits it out of the park with Stray.
No Room to Swing a Cat
I must admit, I do have three small gripes with Stray.
- Within the first 5 minutes, I found the animation of our feline protagonist to be slightly stiff. In moments requiring precise, cat-like movement, the gameplay did not feel as smooth as I’d expected. However, the fluidity of animations is a very minor issue and I adjusted quickly.
- Stray’s jump mechanic only allows the player to jump on specific platforms within a certain distance by pressing the jump button. This takes away a small amount of freedom to explore the world above. Still, players are given plenty of opportunities to leverage platforms, leap, and access different locations within each area.
- Lack of a Photo Mode. Stray has such an interesting blend of post-apocalyptic leafy environments, creepy lifeless cities, and busy neon-lit streets. It’s a shame that we can not capture the unique scenes and interactions but I do believe it will be an added feature with a future update.
An unexpected relationship that shines through a desolate world.
Aside from the few nitpicks, playing Stray on the PlayStation 5 is a treat! Stray has full support for the DualSense and takes complete advantage of it. The triggers build resistance when clawing against a couch or other furniture and the controller gives a rumbling/purring sensation when vibrating while taking a catnap in cozy spots scattered throughout the game. It was the DualSense alone that made me more excited about playing Stray on my PS5 over my PC.
Stray creates a unique gaming experience by delivering masterful story-telling in a small package. The plot is delivered and begins with a little drone companion called B-12. This tiny drone which fits in a cute vest on the cat’s back is a vital character as it is cleverly used as a translator between the cat and its fellow robots.
However, B-12 has a deeper history than just understanding the robots. Despite playing as a cat with no way of verbally communicating with the drone, the two characters rely on one another to reach their goals. B-12 uncovers many of Stray’s post-apocalyptic mysteries and develops a lifelong bond with the Player’s cat Avatar. An unexpected relationship that shines through a desolate world.
Final Thoughts
Stray may not be the Triple-A gaming blockbuster of the year but it is a must-play for 2022. Stray is about appreciating the journey to our destination no matter how far we have fallen. Even if the journey is simply getting back to where we were before; admire each person, animal, or robot we meet along the way.
The charming characters, captivating soundtrack, unbearable cuteness, and overall sense of wonder that AnnaPurrna Interactive creates with Stray are more than enough reasons to overlook the short playtime and minor gripes players could encounter. Stray is an absolute pleasure to play and I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys indie platformers, puzzles, or cats.
Final Score: 9/10
Stray is out now on the PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 & PC.
