In most video games you play as some kind of powerful character; a warrior who stands up to impossible expectations.
But in ‘Stray’, the latest release from publisher Annapurna Interactive, you play the role of a small, four-legged ball of charm who explores a stagnant, destructive world. There’s danger around every corner, but plenty of friendly faces to get you started as you unravel a mystery that could shake the world.
BlueTwelve Studios has created a believable, captivating world for you to explore through the eyes of a humble stray cat. Although it stumbles at certain points, “Stray” is a really entertaining and charming game.
A beautiful future with neon stripes
The world of “Stray” is beautiful. The graphics are impressive and show incredible work from BlueTwelve’s engineering team. Among the dozens of interpretations of cyberpunk futures, “Stray” can draw inspiration from the most famous and make it unique. The underground city where the game takes place is well realized, brimming with color and personality.
Neon signs are plastered all over, painting a gaudy landscape reminiscent of our own huge cities. The slums you explore have less neon, but still teem with robot dwellers hanging out in bars, cleaning the streets, selling clothes and even meditating.
They are all lovingly animated and designed so that no robot citizen looks the same.
The main character herself is the most lovingly designed cat that has ever existed in a video game. From the looks to the animations, “Stray’s” furry hero is what any future cat game should be.
Inspired by some cats that belonged to members of the team, Stray’s lead cat moves and looks good for the entire game.
tail to remember
At the start of the game, your cat (player character) is enjoying a relaxing day with his fellow cat friends.
Due to a sudden accident, the cat plunges from the sunny surface world to the remote underground city. Shortly after meeting B-12 – the robotic companion that serves as the player’s inventory room – the two are drawn into a gripping story.
Throughout the runtime of “Stray’s”, the game muses on the legacy of humanity and what preserving it entails. While not the most original theme in a cyberpunk story, it is well presented and takes advantage of the unique setting in which it is set.
Unfortunately, the story may not be as compelling if you can’t suspend your disbelief and accept that a cat would help an entire civilization with its problems. The cat never talks, so all dialogue in the game is transferred to the player by B-12.
This will probably be the most controversial aspect of the game’s story. The cat sometimes reacts as if he could understand what the other characters are talking about. If you can’t accept the absurdity of the main character of the story, you won’t be able to invest yourself so easily.
Softer than a ball of yarn
Challenge isn’t Stray’s forte, which will turn down anyone looking for trouble in their video games. You’re not Mario stomping on enemies and jumping on platforms; you are a cat who can jump over pipes and roofs by simply holding down one button.
Your feline hero can’t fall into abysses or rooftops, so crossing dizzying heights isn’t dangerous.
Any difficulty in the game comes from the many puzzles you have to solve and the few enemy encounters in the game. The puzzles refer to the days of point-and-click adventure games, where you have to find objects or keys to progress.
You may need to find an outfit for a character so they can sneak through a restricted area. Other times you have to use your qualities as a cat to distract someone or create a path to move on. That could mean knocking over an object or meowing at the right time to get someone’s attention.
Feel like a smart cat
“Stray” confuses its formula by including explorable environments where you can interact with other characters and find collectibles. They’re fun distractions that don’t serve the gameplay in any meaningful way, but they do give players more context for the story and characters.
Action is still present in the game, through chase sequences in which you have to run away from Zurks, the alien antagonists in the game. These sequences are exciting and captivating, especially compared to the stealth sequences that you are forced into at certain points.
During a certain part of the game, there are times when you have to hide from a group of enemies. Although you keep in mind that you’re a cat, these parts of the game don’t feel as satisfying as the chases and puzzle-solving. Fortunately, they are short and only appear towards the end of the game.
Always land on its feet
“Stray” may feel like a novelty to some, but as a new entry into the world of cinematic games, it does well to stand out.
Playing as a cat is an obvious draw and controlling them can usually be fun. Despite there being some moments that aren’t as engaging as the chases and puzzles, the game never feels too long. You’ll probably finish it in a few hours if you ignore the extra content on offer and go straight through the main game.
If you are a cat lover, know that “Stray” is a love letter to your furry friends that has not existed until now. This video game offers all the fun of being a cat packed in a small package that is sure to satisfy you if you are looking for a captivating and emotional story.
Stray is available on pc and Playstation 4/5 for $29.99.
you can reach Eloin Barahona-GarciaBee eloin@beaconmedianews.com
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