I will admit that from the outset, I was incredibly excited for Stray when it was first announced amid PlayStation's State of Play nearly two year prior. But it also made me wonder how on earth a studio would make being a cat genuinely fun and enjoyable in its gameplay. Over the last week, I was gifted early access to try Stray's underlying premise for myself in the lead-up to its release. BlueTwelve did not disappoint.
Stray is everything I had hoped it would be and so, so much more. There's heart applied to this game, making it a standout indie experience as much as it is a welcome change in the grand scheme of the industry. I mean, how many alternative cat sims are there? In Stray, players are beckoned by a daunting journey that subsequently requires unraveling an underlying mystery, both of which coalesce to deliver something truly astounding.
Get your paws ready for this spoiler-free Stray review.
A Cat Adventure Unlike any Other
Stray sees players dropped into the mind of a stray cat - no real mystery there. You'll start the game with three additional feline friends, traversing the outer wall of an unnamed city in a tight group. You'll no sooner get separated, however, and must find your way back to the safety of your cat pals, now all alone in a strange and dark setting. Utilizing cat calls, scratching, and feline puzzle solving, you will eventually regain your trajectory and come across a room filled with computer screens.
It is here where you will be tasked with booting up a newfound friend by placing batteries all within ports at the bottom of the machine. This is not only where players will get a taste of Stray's main gameplay technique but also meet B-12, the game's version of R2-2D. This drone-like companion will aid you in your escape from the city, translating text boxes, holding objects, lighting your way, and acting as a general guide to your freedom.
BlueTwelve Studio claims the story lasts about 8 to 10 hours, the latter for completionists. For me, it took about 9 to fully complete. As for the rest of the adventure, I'll let you unravel the mystery of Stray's story for yourself. Let's just say there are some veritable surprises and tear-jerker sequences in store for all kinds of players.
Scratching at the Door
The introduction to Stray takes about 30 mins, but once you are in the world, you are hooked. Environmental Puzzles serve as the main obstacles in this cat sim, wherein players will have to dissect their surroundings with the eye of a high-leaping and inquisitive feline. Certain objects can be used to aid you on your quests, like metal pots or small batteries. Special items, like keys, can also be looted to help access locked rooms in specific buildings.
So-called memories attached to walls or objects serve as collectibles in this game, while other items you may find, like energy drinks, sheet music, and more, act as in-game currency. That's right, even in a cat game, there is a marketplace for necessary items to use throughout the world. Keep a mental note of what specific items certain NPCs are looking for and ensure they get them. Also, stay vigilant for hidden windows, nooks, and crannies set throughout the world, wherein secret keys can await the curious cat.
Because of your size, this feeling of smallness comes in this massive world. It works wonders in bridging players into the experience through the subconscious. Some of my favorite sequences in the game are when you get to act out your own inner cat-like tendencies, like walking aimlessly all across a table, keyboard, or piano, knocking items off the surface in stride. You'll even find a paper bag to get your head stuck in, which adds a nice little controller mishap to the experience.
Performance was stellar on both my main PC setup and even the Steam Deck. In fact, I'd consider Stray thus far one of the best games I've played on the Deck, running anywhere between 40 to 60 fps with little hitches, aside from when using the bucket to fast travel. For some reason, this always dipped the fps, but other than that, it ran smoothly.
A Cat's World
Like in most games of such depth and caliber, the world itself compliments not only the story but also its gameplay. The mystery and intrigue behind this land serve as a wonderful backdrop as your toe beans plod through its grimy streets and surfaces. Things happen in this world, either by your own clumsiness or just through the world's own ingenious breathability. Water will drop down into puddles, lights will flicker sporadically, and robots can trip on you as you walk by. The world feels so alive, and it only adds to the wonder of Stray, making players need want to continue solely to see what new heights this feline can reach next.
The music in Stray, too, acts as an extra layer of beauty. The electronic synth-like score draws you into this near-future world while still keeping your focus on the drive at hand. The melodies, which really only kick into action as you are in the pursuit of another clue, amplify your need to keep traversing this world, and I love that how even the soundtrack can keep you invested in all but a young feline's adventure.
There is no real definitive understanding of when the game is set - or even where exactly, for that matter. The world is filled with robots that roam the streets speaking their own language, which B-12 will happily translate for you. Their existence serves as an interesting parallel to our own feline protagonist, as some of these electronic beings too want freedom from this place. Most are reluctant to help you see the exit signs, but many seem discontent with their inner-city life.
Cat's Tongue
I will say, I wish there was a real save function added to the game, as opposed to merely relying on its auto-save function. It doesn't detract from the overall experience, and with three total save slots available, it's hard to knock them for not including it, given its total 8-10 hour length. I love how they ensured players wouldn't be abusing conversations by making the player tap B when the dialogue is over. Really adds a nice touch to the experience, so you're not wasting your time on extended dialogue sequences.
Performance, story, world, gameplay - it all coalesces into a superb experience. For that very reason, I must give Stray five cat paws out of five. On PC, it looks phenomenal and runs like an absolute beast on the Steam Deck. Add this to the fact that PlayStation Plus Premium subscribers get the game for free from the outset, and Stray seemingly becomes a no-brainer. It's filled with a kind of wonder in its world and pleasure in its driving force, allowing gamers to see the world from a whole new perspective.
A perspective, I think, should be cherished.
Stray releases on July 19 for PS4, PS4, and PC via Steam.
