Stray

Everything in Stray works together so well; the characters, the story, and being a cat is so realistic and fun that it is so rewarding. I can't recommend this title enough; it is my game of the year for 2022 meow!

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"Stray" is a third-person adventure game that allows you to play as a stray cat exploring a gritty, neon-lit cybercity. Interact with the environment in feline ways, solve puzzles, and befriend a drone companion to help you escape this mysterious place. The game features both stealth and exploration, with a focus on observing and manipulating the strange inhabitants of this world.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

97%

Audience ScoreBased on 67,520 reviews

story10,294 positive mentions

stability310 negative mentions

story
18,379 mentions
56 % positive mentions
42 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The story of "Stray" is widely praised for its emotional depth and engaging narrative, following a lost cat navigating a dystopian world inhabited by robots. Players appreciate the unique perspective of storytelling through a feline protagonist, which adds charm and relatability to the experience. While some reviews note the story's predictability and brevity, many find it touching and well-crafted, making it a memorable journey that resonates with players long after completion.
- “Stray is a beautifully crafted, artistic, and moving story.”
- “The story is emotional, it might not be a very long game but it's a game you will remember and enjoy.”
- “The story is captivating and the gameplay is intuitive and easy to learn.”
- “Meanwhile, the story is sweet but predictable.”
- “There are cheaper indie games and cheaper classic GOTYs that provide a better story, better parkour, better stealth, better everything... except you don't get to be a cat.”
- “The story is really nothing to write home about.”
graphics
6,899 mentions
72 % positive mentions
27 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The graphics of "Stray" have received widespread acclaim for their stunning visuals and attention to detail, creating an immersive cyberpunk world that captivates players. Many reviewers highlight the game's beautiful art style, vibrant colors, and realistic animations, particularly in the portrayal of the cat's movements and interactions. Overall, the graphics are considered a standout feature, enhancing the emotional depth of the story and the overall gaming experience.
- “The graphics are stunning, the game is very visually pleasing, and I imagine a lot of players now have screenshots as their desktop background.”
- “The art style is a beautiful mix of realism and stylization, creating a visually striking world that is both immersive and enchanting.”
- “The graphics are absolutely gorgeous, the music and sounds are phenomenal, and the overall storyline and gameplay are entertaining, emotional and fun.”
- “The graphics are not exactly mind-blowing, but their attention to detail and the amazing animations on the cats are a joy to watch.”
- “The graphics could be better and the games less clunky but all round its great and original.”
- “The graphics are somewhat cartoony in a couple places and you'll likely notice some of the animations being a bit stiff like a character continuing the animation for walking on flat ground even as they go up steps but it still manages to sell its locales well whether they're bleak run down city alleys, horror inspired infested areas, or the brief bits of greenery and calm that break up the oppressive tone.”
gameplay
5,914 mentions
43 % positive mentions
53 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The gameplay in "Stray" is characterized by its simplicity and accessibility, focusing on exploration, puzzle-solving, and light platforming mechanics that allow players to embody a cat in a beautifully rendered cyberpunk world. While many players appreciate the intuitive controls and charming cat behaviors, some criticize the linearity and lack of depth in gameplay, noting that it can feel repetitive and lacks challenging mechanics. Overall, the game is praised for its engaging story and stunning visuals, making it a delightful experience despite its gameplay limitations.
- “The gameplay is intuitive yet innovative, leveraging the cat's natural agility to navigate obstacles and solve puzzles.”
- “The gameplay is both enjoyable and therapeutic, with a dash of challenge, making it the perfect game to unwind with after a long day.”
- “The gameplay is varied and interesting throughout the game, with clever mechanics that keep the experience fresh.”
- “Stray is an odd one as a game; it's rather boring, it's slow and has little to do in terms of actual gameplay.”
- “When it comes to gameplay, it's a bit dull and offers little new.”
- “The gameplay is very basic, exploring and jumping around with minimal challenge.”
emotional
3,421 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of "Stray" has been widely praised by players, who describe it as a deeply touching and heartwarming experience. Many reviewers noted that the game made them cry multiple times, particularly during poignant moments involving the cat protagonist and its robot companion, B-12. The narrative, while simple, effectively evokes a range of emotions, from joy to sadness, and players appreciated the game's ability to create strong emotional connections with its characters and story, making it a memorable journey through a beautifully crafted world.
- “A beautiful and engaging story that not only consistently keeps you engaged but also is an emotional journey.”
- “The story is emotional, it might not be a very long game but it's a game you will remember and enjoy.”
- “This game made me feel especially at the endgame, wow wow wow.”
- “Very simple puzzles and a boring story made it difficult to play for a full hour.”
- “It has a boring story, poorly thought-out controls, very linear gameplay with hardly any exploration, boring dialogue (every single character in this game has the exact same dialogue when you show them items), subpar graphics, clipping audio (in chapter 8), no diversity between levels (they all look the same), lack of navigation, locked frame-rate at 60fps, very short playtime (around 3-4 hours to complete the game), no replayability... I could go on and on and on...”
- “Boring story and gameplay.”
music
3,282 mentions
62 % positive mentions
37 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The music in "Stray" has been widely praised for its atmospheric and immersive qualities, enhancing the game's emotional depth and overall experience. Reviewers highlight the soundtrack's ability to complement various gameplay moments, from serene exploration to tense encounters, with many noting its unique blend of ambient and electronic styles. Overall, the music is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's captivating cyberpunk aesthetic and emotional storytelling.
- “The soundtrack and sound design further enhance the experience, with a hauntingly beautiful score that complements the game's tone perfectly.”
- “The music evokes emotion in the quiet blend of synth, droning ambiance, soft piano or other instruments - it reminds me a little of Portal 2's soundtrack but far more subtle and elegant.”
- “The soundtrack, composed by Yann van der Cruyssen, perfectly complements the atmosphere, elevating the overall experience.”
- “The only negative thing I could say for the game is the soundtrack... a lot of 'songs' have loud popping noises and it's really annoying and gets old very quickly which meant I had to turn off the music altogether which was a bummer.”
- “The music is a balance of tranquility and 'curiosity', ideal for the puzzle-solving gameplay.”
- “The music, while atmospheric, often felt repetitive and didn't leave a lasting impression, making it easy to forget.”
atmosphere
2,390 mentions
74 % positive mentions
26 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in "Stray" is widely praised for its captivating and immersive qualities, blending a vibrant cyberpunk aesthetic with emotional depth. Players appreciate the stunning visuals, atmospheric soundtrack, and intricate world design that create a sense of wonder and exploration, often evoking feelings of nostalgia and melancholy. The game's ability to convey a rich narrative through its environments and character interactions further enhances the overall experience, making it a standout title for fans of atmospheric storytelling.
- “The game’s atmosphere is captivating, with neon-soaked streets and intriguing robotic inhabitants that make the world feel alive and immersive.”
- “The atmosphere in this game is absolutely incredible.”
- “The atmosphere, the soundtrack, the story, the characters - simply brilliant.”
- “However, the atmosphere is pretty much the only thing going for this game.”
- “The atmosphere of the dead city feels... well, dead.”
- “The gameplay is pretty basic but the art style and the atmosphere are impeccable.”
humor
671 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised for its clever integration of cat antics and quirky interactions with robots, providing a delightful contrast to the game's more serious themes. Players enjoy the amusing moments that arise from typical cat behaviors, such as knocking things over and meowing, which add a lighthearted touch to the otherwise dystopian setting. Overall, the game successfully balances humor with emotional depth, making it both entertaining and thought-provoking.
- “I love meowing at the security cameras; their reactions are top tier! Also, accidentally tripping a robot shouldn’t be as funny as how I reacted to it, goodness!”
- “This game manages to have a great sense of humor in such a bleak world, and it's honestly an inspiring tale of what really makes you human.”
- “The interactions with the world as a cat were hilarious, especially when I could trip robots and knock things over.”
- “Not funny, cried.”
- “The jokes fell flat and felt forced.”
- “I expected humor, but it was more cringeworthy than comedic.”
replayability
478 mentions
21 % positive mentions
60 % neutral mentions
19 % negative mentions
The game's replayability is generally considered low, primarily due to its linear narrative and short playtime, which averages around 5-6 hours. While some players find value in achievement hunting and exploring for missed collectibles, many agree that the lack of diverse gameplay mechanics and multiple endings limits the incentive for multiple playthroughs. Overall, it offers a memorable first experience but lacks substantial replay value beyond completionist goals.
- “Overall, a great game with lots of replayability. For those of us who just want to have a chill cat parkour run around while finding nap spots, rubbing against robots to hear the happy noise, and sometimes tripping them... otherwise the story itself is very linear.”
- “Though the gameplay is relatively short, it’s definitely replayable because there’s much you’ll miss on your first playthrough.”
- “This game is adorable, but aside from the easy achievements, it doesn't provide a lot of replay value, except if you want to just roam the streets as a little kitty.”
- “Not much replayability apart from the achievement hunting.”
- “There are some collectibles and a few achievements, but other than that, there's very little replay value.”
- “It has zero replay value on its own, because it's a complete linear story and mechanically it's not challenging, so if you expect more out of it, you are going to be disappointed.”
optimization
416 mentions
32 % positive mentions
39 % neutral mentions
28 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players experiencing significant stuttering and frame rate drops, particularly in densely populated areas or during transitions between scenes. While some users report smooth performance on high-end systems, others with mid-range or lower hardware face challenges, indicating that the game may not be well-optimized for all configurations. Overall, while the graphics are praised, the performance issues detract from the experience for a considerable number of players.
- “The game is well optimized and doesn't seem to be very demanding; on 4K it used under 2 GB of VRAM, and it doesn't have a complex graphics settings menu, so it should work on a variety of systems, I would imagine.”
- “The world just pops and feels alive, runs surprisingly well, and is optimized incredibly well (6.5 GB) considering how amazing the graphics are.”
- “Game runs smoothly, a solid 60fps with no frame rate drops.”
- “Performance even at low settings is abysmal and it barely works.”
- “The game keeps stuttering; I could not find a fix for this.”
- “With an RTX 3080 card, the performance on this game is awful (<50 fps and stuttering regardless of graphics settings) and the graphics are not even that great.”
stability
374 mentions
14 % positive mentions
3 % neutral mentions
83 % negative mentions
The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting minor glitches and bugs, particularly in areas involving jumping mechanics and AI behavior. While some users experienced significant issues, including crashes and game-breaking bugs, others noted that the game ran smoothly on various platforms, including the Steam Deck, with only occasional visual glitches. Overall, while the game is generally enjoyable, its stability remains a concern for a portion of the player base, particularly on lower-end hardware.
- “The game runs great on the Steam Deck; the developers were able to find a compromise on the graphical demands, and the game looks really beautiful and atmospheric.”
- “I had no glitches in my playthrough, and the game is almost completely bug-free from my experience.”
- “Absolutely amazing game - it runs great on max settings on the Steam Deck, so prepare yourself for some stunning scenery.”
- “The game is kind of a buggy mess to be honest.”
- “I spent a day troubleshooting and looking for solutions but the game crashed within seconds of launching each time.”
- “The game is buggy enough to feel unfinished, but there is a cat and that makes it Game of the Year for most people.”
grinding
280 mentions
3 % positive mentions
52 % neutral mentions
45 % negative mentions
The reviews overwhelmingly indicate that the game features significant grinding elements, often described as tedious and requiring a considerable time investment. While some players appreciate the engaging story and mechanics, many express frustration with repetitive tasks and fetch quests that detract from the overall experience. Overall, the consensus suggests that players may need to invest substantial time to fully enjoy the game, with some calling for a more streamlined approach to gameplay.
- “Easy game mechanics, straightforward objectives, absolutely no grinding, but plenty of paths to explore if you'd like a richer experience in the world.”
- “None of the achievements are very hard and, while there are a lot of collectibles, the game has chapter selections and so collecting these is not very tedious.”
- “The achievements are not too grindy but require a bit of effort.”
- “The game turns into extremely tedious fetch-quest land at that point and I could not bring myself to finish because it's so insipid and boring.”
- “I found the primary gameplay loop of meandering around environments to complete fetch quests with some elementary puzzle-solving tedious.”
- “The quests to collect pages of lore notebooks etc. are still tedious, especially compared to the otherwise fun gameplay of just being a cat and doing cat things.”
character development
132 mentions
65 % positive mentions
33 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is widely praised for its emotional depth and strong storytelling, with many players feeling a genuine connection to the characters, particularly the protagonist cat and its robotic companion. While some reviews note that character interactions can be limited and certain developments feel rushed, the overall design and personality of the characters, along with the game's vibrant visuals, contribute to a memorable and immersive experience. The combination of charming character designs and heartfelt moments leaves players emotionally invested, making the journey through the game both engaging and bittersweet.
- “The storytelling and character design for each and every character is amazing, and there have been moments where I've laughed and nearly cried.”
- “By the end of the game, you have been on such a big journey with these characters, and with its character development and emotional ending, it feels earned.”
- “The character development of B-12 and the cat is amazing.”
- “The story is relatively light on character development and emotional impact.”
- “Of course, this makes character relationships extremely limited and that's something you just have to accept in this game - there won't be any real ambiguity, turning points or character development for the cat or any of the world's inhabitants (which becomes evident from early on).”
- “The subject matter is vast but the cuts into it are shallow, ultimately the finale kinda falls flat not having enough runway for character development.”
monetization
49 mentions
2 % positive mentions
53 % neutral mentions
45 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its lack of microtransactions, offering a refreshing experience in an industry often criticized for cash grabs and intrusive monetization schemes. Reviewers appreciate that the game is complete and bug-free, without any additional costs or cosmetic purchases, making it a genuine and enjoyable title. Despite some concerns about its price relative to playtime, the overall sentiment is that it stands out as a quality product free from modern monetization pitfalls.
- “Can highly recommend this game - it's short and sweet, no padding, no grind, no microtransactions, no bugs.”
- “In a world infested with greedy publishers afraid to try anything 'risky' and milking microtransactions, you went and made this - and I thank you for it, from the bottom of my heart.”
- “It's not designed with any sort of loot box monetization scheme or season pass in mind, unlike most games nowadays.”
- “For 30 dollars, the game felt whole, and not marred by intrusive microtransactions or obstructive UI elements.”