One of the very first games ever revealed for Sony’s PlayStation 5 console wasStray, a game where players control a cat in a cyberpunk city populated by robots.Stray’s feline protagonistand eye-popping graphics made it one of the most-talked about games coming out of Sony’s Future of Gaming event, and as it turns out, the hype was warranted.
First and foremost, the developers at BlueTwelve Studio have absolutely nailed what it would be like to move around a city as a cat. The animations are perfect, down to the smallest details. Real-life cat owners especially will come away impressed with what BlueTwelve Studio has accomplished here, as they may be more likely to notice subtle things like the cat’s ears twitching in the direction of a noise. Early in the game, the cat is outfitted with a harness to help transport its drone companion, and it hilariously flops to the ground, refusing to move for a moment. Any cat owners that have tried to put similar harnesses on their pets to take them on walks will recognize this behavior, and it’s the little details like this that make the cat fromStrayfeel like a living, breathing cat. It helps that the animators went as far as to make the cat literally breathe, of course.
There is a cliché about video games making players “feel” like they are whatever character they’re playing as, but there’s really no other way to say it.Straymakes the player feel like a cat, whether it’s knocking objects off ledges, walking over keyboards, or scratching furniture.Straylets players carry out typical cat behaviors even when there’s no gameplay reason for it, like drinking water from a saucer, rubbing up against someone’s legs, and curling up for a nap. There’s even a button dedicated entirely to meowing.
Sometimes these cat actions are incorporated inStray’s puzzle solving gameplay. While players are free to scratch furniture, walls, tree trunks, and other objects like cats do, this ability sometimes has a practical purpose, like pulling down a curtain or ripping wires out of a device. Meowing, meanwhile, can be used to get rid of the bug-like enemies that will sometimes cling to the cat.
Stray’s bug-like enemies are known as the Zurks, and while players are eventually able to fight back, they are mostly meant to avoid these creatures at all costs. There’s not much in the way of “combat” like in other games, butStrayis better for it. The cat inStrayis meant to represent a real cat, so the developers didn’t give it outlandish abilities or special attacks that would break the immersion. Yes, players are solving puzzles and talking to robots in the game, but that’s because the cat is being helped along by its drone companion, B-12.
Strayplayers meet B-12 early in the game, and from there, the drone helps guide the story along. With B-12 at their side, players can talk to friendly robots, hack doors, get hints about what to do next if they’re stuck, and more. But while B-12 plays a key role in helping players overcome some ofStray’s obstacles, the focus stays squarely on the cat and how it is able to interact with the world around it.
TheStrayexperience is broken up into linear levels and more open areas. The linear sections offer more action, with players having to use a mix of speed and stealth to outrun and hide from the Zurks and other enemies. However, the open-ended areas, of which are there are two in the game, are whereStrayreally shines. It’s here where players are let loose to explore as a cat, testing the limits of what exactly they can do in the game.
The fact thatStrayonly really has two open areas like this may disappoint some players, especially since the game is light on content in general.Strayis a short but sweet experience that can be completed in less than five hours in the initial playthrough. Those wanting to get 100% completion can easily do so in under 10 hours, as it doesn’t take long at all tounlock all ofStray’s trophies. This will certainly be a downside for some, butStray’s short length may actually be to its benefit. This way the game doesn’t overstay its welcome, so the novelty of what the developers accomplished with the cat never wears off.
The blow ofStray’s short length is lessened further when taking into account that the game is available to play throughPS Plus Extra and Premium subscriptionsat launch. It’s already a budget-priced game to begin with, but this way those who aren’t happy about its short length can still check it out without dropping $30 to do so.
Strayis very short, but it works for a game like this. There’s no wasted space or filler inStray, and the short length likely played a big role in allowing the developers to perfect the cat’s movement like they did, not to mention make it look as good as it does.Stray’s graphics are incredible, with detailed environments and impressive lighting effects. The game is highly polished, and while there is the occasional hiccup like the camera getting stuck, any issue is easily rectified by reloading the last checkpoint.
Part of the reason the developers were able to obtain such an impressive level of polish is likely due to the restrictions placed on the game’s platforming.Straydoesn’t let players jump wherever and whenever they want, but instead relegates jumping to a contextual button press. This could be another point of contention with some players, as they may findStray’s platforming too restrictive. But the trade-off is the developers are able to keep the animations tight and better maintain the illusion of playing as a cat, whereas jumping everywhere could easily break that sense of immersion and lead to animation problems. Not only that, but this also gives platforming a puzzle-solving element, as players have to figure out exactly where they can jump to get through each area.
It’s true that some may be underwhelmed by howStrayhandles its platforming and by how short it is, but these issues are easily overlooked because of the high quality found throughout the rest of the game.Strayis a genuinely unique gaming experience and is worth checking out for the cat alone.Straylooks great, plays great, and accomplishes exactly what it set out to do. It’s a must-play, especially since it’s available at a budget price and can be played in its entirety with a PS Plus Extra subscription.
Straylaunches July 19 for PC, PS4, and PS5. Game Rant was provided with a PS5 code for this review.
Stray
WHERE TO PLAY
Lost, alone and separated from family, a stray cat must untangle an ancient mystery to escape a long-forgotten city.Stray is a third-person cat adventure game set amidst the detailed, neon-lit alleys of a decaying cybercity and the murky environments of its seedy underbelly. Roam surroundings high and low, defend against unforeseen threats and solve the mysteries of this unwelcoming place inhabited by curious droids and dangerous creatures.See the world through the eyes of a cat and interact with the environment in playful ways. Be stealthy, nimble, silly, and sometimes as annoying as possible with the strange inhabitants of this mysterious world.Along the way, the cat befriends a small flying drone, known only as B-12. With the help of this newfound companion, the duo must find a way out.Stray is developed by BlueTwelve Studio, a small team from the south of France mostly made up of cats and a handful of humans.
