Today,I'm talking about a game pretty dear to me.
Stray.
A atmospheric puzzle adventure with exploration.
Developed by Bluetwelve Studio
And Published by Annapurna interactive
Available on Steam.
First impression
It's a cute game with Cyberpunk visuals about a cat trying to get back to his friends.
From a cat which looks adorable to the city that just draws me in,the game looks and feels very real.
Gameplay
Puzzle adventure with exploration,but a story driven game.
I have played Stray on a keyboard.Despite the game at the start telling you that the game is designed for a gamepad or controller,i never had any problems with a keyboard. I never had a moment where I thought a controller was better either.
You control a Orange cat (our Stray),and have to jump,weave and solve puzzles to advance in the story.
There are a lot of things you can do for no reason other than you being a cat: Sleep,drink,meow (though meowing has some useful moments) and Claw at something like a cat tree.
Overall is the gameplay smooth,but imo,not the main focus.
Story & Writing
Here's where I think the main focus lies.Stray is about the Cat falling down into the city.You will be lead to our companion,B12,who helps you solve puzzles and translate the (confusingly named) companion robots.Over the course of the story,you have to help them,since many of them also want to get to the surface.You learn secrets about the companions,B12,the world and the city through our little drone friend.
The chapters are sometimes very short and I wish we had more time to explore,and generally I have a lot of questions still unanswered.
Atmosphere
Replayability
Emotional.Every Chapter has a new atmosphere; at first,when you fall,it's overwhelming,new and a bit frightening, then it's calm and hopeful,then it's determined and focused.
The Game does a great job at weaving one emotional beat to the next; it never feels abrupt,though I do sometimes wish we had a more of a 'red line' to go through all the chapters.
I think it's pretty Okey.Once you got all the Memories and discovered all the secrets,you're not gonna come back unless it's for the vibes.(Which I do.) The game is easy to pick up and for me, something to play when I'm in a blockade,tired or just in need of some fluffy meowing shenanigans.
Overall
A good game with a great emotional resonance,Stray Absoutly was worth my time again and again.
It's a solid game I would recommend to anyone who loves emotion over gameplay or cute cats with a bit of a aesthetic to boot.