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Engaging storyline, Captivating graphics, Casual gameplay
Not long enough
Stray is centered around a cat who gets separated from its family and plunged into a mysterious cyber city where you and its residents try to find a way to the outside. From its captivating premise to its innovative gameplay, Stray delivers an unforgettable journey that tugs at the heartstrings. This is a wonderful title from start to finish, which I may have done more than once since getting my hands on it. Stray is a more casual gaming experience, with no combat or anything aside from a few chases, more centered around exploration and the story line. The puzzle-solving and exploration aspects are seamlessly integrated, offering a mix of challenge and relaxation.
My initial reaction to the game was immediately positive, despite going into the gameplay completely oblivious of the storyline. I could hardly put it down once I started, and I finished the game in two sessions, maybe about 6 hours in total. This was disappointing to me, not because I didn’t like the ending but because I wanted more! Though, I do feel like Stray was very well rounded and felt complete despite being short, I just enjoyed it so much I wasn’t quite ready for it to be over. Not only did I get sucked into the story, but also the scenery. As stated before, you end up in a cyber city full of neon lights and colorful robot characters. The environments feel alive, with meticulous attention to detail that enriches every moment of exploration. The lighting and color palette evoke a sense of wonder and melancholy, perfectly complementing the game’s narrative.
The gameplay mimics a cat’s movements and behaviors, such as nimble motions and mischievous scratching. The developers used their own cats as reference to make this main character feel realistic to the player, and I love this feature so much. There are little actions you get to do as a cat such as scratching, as mentioned, drinking water out of random places, and meowing whenever you feel like it. After falling into the city your character is guided by a mysterious force behind surveillance cameras, lights, and televisions that move you along a path. After following all the signs we discover this entity calls itself B-12, or at least that’s what’s written on the little robot companion’s head, as it doesn’t remember anything about itself. Now your character has the help of B-12 to unravel the mysteries of the city and try to figure out a way to the outside.
After making your way further into the city you find its robot inhabitants, and your first flood of objectives. There are a lot of items to find if you want to get 100% completion in Stray, such as music sheets for one of the robots who plays guitar. You can also help B-12 find its memories which are another part of the mystery of the city. The cool thing about being a cat is being nimble and agile enough to jump up and across rooftops into normally inaccessible areas, which there are a lot of. The robots also require specific items in order to help you proceed, which are hidden throughout the city amongst other clues. I really loved exploring the map and finding the memories and items. Though I didn’t find everything on my first playthrough, it was worth playing again to find what I missed and seeing the complete ending. The different areas you visit are so filled with content it seems like it would be easy to find everything since I tend to scour areas for clues, but having so much to look at makes it easy to miss things.
Another thing worth mentioning is the masterpiece that is the sound design; from the gentle pitter-patter of paws to the atmospheric hum of the cyber city, every little thing you hear really immerses you in the experience and makes it feel a bit more real. As I mentioned before, you can make your character meow, which isn’t just an adorable gimmick—it serves practical purposes and adds a layer of charm to interactions with the environment and characters. The soundtrack is also phenomenal, composed by Yann Van Der Cruyssen, and enhances the game’s emotional beats, blending serene melodies with haunting electronic tones. The music beautifully complements Stray’s emotional spectrum, shifting seamlessly between moments of tranquility and tension.
Overall, this game is worth the $30 price tag. It might be short but the amount of content and story makes up for the length of gameplay. BlueTwelve Studio has crafted a world that feels simultaneously alien and familiar, blending futuristic elements with warmth and humanity and offering an intimate and unique lens through which to explore a world filled with wonder. Perhaps its greatest achievement though is how it connects players emotionally—not just to the story, but to the very act of being a cat. Whether you’re a cat lover or a fan of immersive adventures, Stray is a must-play, hence the A+ rating. Let us know what you think in the comments!
Nintendojo was provided a copy of this game for review by a third party, though that does not affect our recommendation. For every review, Nintendojo uses a standard criteria.
