Many gamers have wondered what it would be like to play a game from the perspective of something other than a person. And while a few games currently exist that allow players to take on the persona of something other than a human, there aren’t many mainstream games that fall into this category. With the release of the brand new cat-led Stray, gamers can play as a character with four furry legs.
Developed by BlueTwelve Studio and published by Annapurna Interactive, Stray was released on July 19 and has since taken the video game community by storm. The game is a Sony exclusive, meaning console players must have a PS4 or PS5 to participate in the adorably odd video game. But don’t worry for Xbox gamers: if you have a PC with Microsoft Windows, Stray can also be played on the computer.
The single player game takes place in an underground and post-apocalyptic world where robots lead dark and gloomy lives. Trapped beneath the surface of the “outside world,” these robots are exposed to neon lights, stale air, and mutated garbage-eating creatures called Zurks. So how does a little orange cat fit into this world? Well, it’s a bit complicated.
The game starts with a group of normal cats walking around outside. When a cat misjudges a jump, it plunges deep underground where there is an entire city. As shown in the official game trailer, the little orange kitten that falls – and becomes the protagonist of the game – must befriend the inhabitants of the underground city in order to resurface with his friends. On the journey back to the surface, you and the cat will learn a lot about the ruined underground city and how the robots came to live there.
The game has been reviewed by many individual gamers and gaming platforms. IGN called the game’s environment a “giant jungle gym” for the character and player, which makes the gameplay interesting while still telling a “immersive story”.
The popular gaming channel Skill Up also reviewed the game, giving it a 20-minute in-depth review before calling it an excellent example of gaming craftsmanship – and a game that everyone should try at least once.
Individual YouTube video gamer gameranx released a beautifully detailed “before you buy” video that not only rates the game but also determines whether you would like it based on the type of gamer you are. And finally, video game dunkey also gave his two cents, going into how many people give the game high ratings simply because they play like a cat, while also looking at why the game could be great aside from that.
It is important to note that what video game dunkey said in his video is very true. Many gamers fell in love with the story and playstyle of the game after taking just one look at the adorable orange furball. But can we blame them? Rarely do we play games from the perspective of animals, let alone from the perspective of cute cats who can take naps, purr and interact with the world like a scratching post. Annapurna took great care to ensure that the game had challenges and a playable story, while also incorporating feline features that every cat lover knows should be present. Is there anything more accurate about being a cat than taking a nap in the middle of an all-important adventure? Most cat owners would say no.
But while the game is cute, interesting and fun to play, it is important to note that the game is designed for gamers. There is an ongoing trend for people to get Stray if they have little experience with video games. From the perspective of the video game community, this is great because it introduces something innovative to a whole new group of people. But if you don’t consider yourself an experienced or even casual gamer, there are some things to keep in mind before diving into this magical world of cats and robots.
This is a story game with adventure, puzzles and challenges. This means you need to know how to explore its surroundings if you want to overcome challenges and solve problems along the way. If you’ve never played a single-player story game, it might seem a bit difficult and disorienting to jump into something where puzzles need to be solved to move on to the next part of the story.
While the main character may be super cute, there are plenty of unpleasant things going on in the game. Our lovely protagonist must navigate a barren and dark city where the threat of monsters and evil robots reigns. That means our precious protagonist could die, and that can be a little shocking for players who bought the game because the cat looked cute. While there’s no blood or gore, some of the undertones can be a little sad, making this a game that might not suit all types of gamers, especially if you know you can’t get a cat through a rough time.
The game itself has a playtime of about four to five hours for casual gamers. This includes dying a few times and mindlessly exploring the world the game takes place in. For speedrunners, the game can be completed much faster, and for “completionists” this game can take a while to explore and earn all those precious game trophies. YouTube gamer Shirrako completed the game at a leisurely pace with a total run time of four hours and 18 minutes. The entire game has since been taken up by tons of gamers, with in-depth game walkthroughs that can be found all over the web. All in all, Stray is a game for gamers, a game for cat lovers and a game for adventurers. If you fall into one or more of these categories, give it a try! And if you’re a PlayStation Plus Premium member, you can try the game at no extra cost, so no damage to your bank account!
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