Hello ladies, gentlemen and those of a non-binary nature, my name is Daibhi and this is the Gamerhub Community. Apologies for my two week absence from the site, but I’m not what you would call a well man. Anyway, Stray finally came to Xbox in the last few weeks, and now that I’ve completed most of it and gained the achievements, it’s time to give the game a review, so without further ado…

Stray is a third person (or should I say cat) action adventure game set in a dystopian, post-apocalyptic world where humans left long ago. The premise is that your character, an adorable ginger cat has been separated from its pack and must work their way through the world to find the pack again, and receive the aid of the robots inhabiting the world. The game’s primary focus is on exploration and puzzle solving as you traverse and miaow across the cityscape. Developed by BlueTwelve Studio and published by Annapurna Interactive, this remarkable adventure warmly invites you to don the furry mantle of a stray cat and navigate a mesmerizing, dystopian metropolis inhabited by robots. Stray artfully combines breathtaking visuals, immersive storytelling, and a dash of feline charm to create a unique gaming experience that defies conventions.

Visuals

Stray immediately captivates you with visual prowess from the moment you boot up the game, regardless of console. For the sake of clarity, I completed the game on both PS4, Xbox One and my gaming PC. I know the game is coming to Nintendo Switch however, for the sake of my mental health, I chose to give that particular one a miss. Anyway, the game’s cyberpunk inspired city is an absolute masterpiece of artistry, bathed in neon hues and drenched in atmosphere. From the sprawling towering skyscrapers to the dimly lit alleyways, every corner of the world here feels meticulously crafted. The lighting effects, reflections and environmental details transport you to a universe that is equal parts haunting and intriguing.

What sets Stray apart from other games of this genre and/or featuring adorable cats is the sheer dedication to showing and portraying the world from the feline perspective. The camera angles are low, providing us all with a cat’s eye view of the environment. You’ll find yourself peering through fences, hiding in boxes and nimbly traversing rooftops. The attention to detail in the cat’s graceful movements, from leaping between the buildings to curious swats at dangling objects is gobsmacking and extremely accurate. I say that as an occasional temporary wrangler of cats.

Gameplay

At the core of this game, Stray relies on exploration based adventure, with light puzzle solving elements. The game’s mechanics seamlessly align with your feline identity. You can jump nimbly, climb and interact with objects obstructing or existing in your path. You’ll also communicate with the robotic citizens of this blade-runner-esque sprawling metropolis through miaows and gestures adding a delightful layer of cat-like behaviour that actually fooled the cat I was having to look after while testing the game. Speaking of the city, this one is a labyrinthine wonder waiting for you to unravel. As you roam through narrow alleyways and gigantic plazas, you’ll discover hidden secrets, solve environmental puzzles and interact with a very diverse range of robots. Some are helpful and will actively try to pet you, others will curse you and set you puzzles or fetch quests to grant you access to new areas. The puzzles aren’t always straightforwards, and some of them will have you pulling your hair out with how difficult they are.

One of the things I genuinely love about this game is the lack of hand-holding. This game has the philosophy of letting you discover and explore at your own pace whilst not guiding you through it explicitly. There’s no traditional HUD or waypoint which helps enhance your immersion into the world. You’ll have to rely on your instincts and be as curious as a cat to guide you through the enigmatic narrative. It’s a testament to the game’s design that even without explicit objectives, you’ll find yourself drawn to the next piece of the puzzle.

Atmosphere

The narrative in this game is a deafeningly loud yet silent symphony. This is a game that lets the visuals and gameplay do the talking, without the need for a range of voice actors. The game unfolds through environmental storytelling and your interactions with the robots. It’s a testament to the developers that the game would probably be worse with dialogue. Instead, it encourages us to immerse ourselves fully in this enigmatic world. The world-building in this game is top notch. As you explore, you’ll uncover fragments of a story that involves a mysterious disappearance and the role of robots in this society. The atmosphere is both hilarious at points and tinged with pathos. It’s impossible not to feel empathy for the robots and their struggles, as you see them trying to form their own society sans-humans.

Stray also excels in conveying a sense of isolation. As a cat, you are well and truly on your own in this unfamiliar world. The solitude you experience resonates with me personally on a deep level, and you’ll feel the same. All the interactions with the robots are meaningful, reminding you that even in a bustling city, loneliness can be pervasive and heart-wrenching.

Audio and music design

The audio in Stray is a work of genius. The haunting, synth-laden soundtrack perfectly underscores the game’s atmosphere, evoking a sense of wonder and curiosity. It lingered long in my mind after I finally put the game down, and even today, I can’t truly get it out of my head. The sound design matches this perfectly too. The cat sounds were authentic enough to fool my temporary cat, with miaows that sound authentic, the purring sounds really do sound like a cat. The mechanical hum of the robots, the sound echoing through the city in disarray all work to contribute to the game’s immersive qualities. Sound is important in any game, but this game really enhances the emotional impact and depth of every scene.

Conclusion

Stray is a triumph of artistic vision and gameplay innovation that stays with you long after you put down the controller. It subverts expectations and invites you warmly to see this world through the eyes of an adorable, agile and curious stray ginger cat. With mesmerizing visuals, atmospheric storytelling and enchanting feline mechanics, Stray stands as a testament to the boundless and limitless creativity of video games as a whole.

In an industry dominated by games involving guns and death, Stray is a reminder that videogaming can be an artform, a means of storytelling that transcends conventions. It’s a journey that celebrates curiosity, empathy and the beauty of the unknown. If you seek a unique, emotionally resonant gaming experience that sticks in your brain for weeks afterwards, then Stray should be on your wish lists or in your gaming collections. It truly demonstrates the power of indie games to leave an impact.

Joystick rating 4.7/5

For the Gamerhub, I’ve been Daibhi and you are all legends.