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Watch the video analysis over on YouTube or check it out below. Click the image or on this cute cat 🐈
If you prefer to read the analysis. See below. I would highly, extremely, excessively encourage you to play it for a quick one sentence summary.
STRAY - the REVIEW
OVERVIEW
Stray is the cat game that we didn't know we needed. Now that it's out, I can assure you, it is. Now I'm wanting a red panda game, trashy raccoon game, squirrel game. Let's just have a bunch more. But let's refocus here. Stray is set in a post human and apocalyptic world gone cyberpunk within city districts. Humanity gone, they robots they crafted still present, living human-like lives. The stray cat, as it doesn't have a name in-game, goes on a journey of struggle and friendship while exploring the vastness of the world around. You will get the pleasure of experiencing numerous settings through the eyes and viewpoint of a stray cat. No attachments, but free reign
to do as you please will your responsibilities grow more and more and you as a cat grow through experience.
STORY & GAMEPLAY
The story is set up very quickly and as it is a shorter game, I won't go very far into it. There are a lot of nuances and finer details to catch and a lot more than meets the eye. At the blunt of the beginning though, a stray cat family is torn apart, you the separated cat left to yourself, alone and no where to go but push forward. You will grow and experience hardships but also friendships along your journey. There is another huge element to the story that you will discover, but I leave that for you to experience.
CONTROLS & PERFORMANCE
As you may expect, being a cat is all that. It is very fun and you are able to climb and do things a human could never do in the same way. From the sewers below to the city rooftops and everything in-between, the controls will be cat fur smooth and soft in all facets. Controls feel very well done, only sometimes being faintly hindered when turning sharply. Occasionally getting hung up on those sharp drastic turns, but that won't really be necessary to ever do, more of a oops moment. Wrong way sort of thing. There is a dedicated meow button. You will abuse this button for enjoyment. It does serve a purpose in-game as well so it's not just there for giggles and cuteness.
Performance-wise I had no issues on PC. Even while recording footage the game never lagged or had slowdown. For a brand new release, that's pretty impressive, and especially more so with how visually stunning this game is.
AUDIO
All your cat noises are in-tact and present. A meow button for your own self enjoyment. It does have a purpose but lets be real, you're going to press that a lot more than needed. Environment and NPC noises all appropriate and fitting seamlessly within the world.
Music is well done and fitting. Always works well with where you are and what's occurring on screen. I would say I felt the music could have pushed to be a bit more cyberpunk in the city locations, but maybe I'm just too used to other media in the same genre being a bit edgier.
SUMMARY
It's very easy for me to say this is the best cat game ever made. That's not exactly a high bar. I would say it's the best animal based game ever made, but that might be a reach as Banjo Kazooie does exist. So I'll leave it as one of the best animal games ever but I'll throw in Game of the Year contender. Yup, went there. It hasn't actually been that great of a gaming year. Lot of games have been somewhat letdowns or good but not great sequels. Also, not on the Elden Ring overhyped train, so that leaves me saying so far, it's the best of the year at this point.
SCORE
9.5 out of 10.0
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+ Best portrayal of cats in games ever.
+ Immensely fun being a cat apparently. Destroy everything and knock things over and everyone says you're too cute to be mad at. Life cheat code for cats.
+ Everything is done with a reason and purpose. Attention to detail is surreal.
+ Visuals are some of the best in all gaming. The lighting is Blade Runner-esque perfection. The mood, tone, way the lighting and signs guide you. The temperature of lighting and how that affects mood. Done masterfully at the top of its craft.
+ Sound design is spot on for setting and tone. Cat SFX are purrrrfectly done and appropriate.
+ No or barely any bugs (depending on what you play it on). Didn't experience any on PC.
○ Torn on whether a mini map is needed. The cities felt like it could have helped but the rest of the game it would be pointless. There are signs but I felt like I got turned around a lot and got sick of translating every sign to see where to go.
○ Ending is fitting but somewhat unsatisfying for me personally.
- A bit too short, would have liked some more optional quests along the way to further appreciate the levels and well crafted environments.
- No cat outfits to unlock or dress the cat up in. Can put a bag on your head though and lose control.
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