Video games have had their share of anthropomorphic protagonists based on various animals, like Sonic, Crash or even Ratchet.
But it's very rare to see a lead character that is just an animal and not an animal with mystical powers like Amaterasu in Okami or a mythical creature like Spyro.
Developers BlueTwelve Studio looks to change that with their new title Stray which puts a domestic cat in the spotlight.
Stray is about a ginger cat who, after becoming separated from its family, must unravel the mystery of Dead City to get back home.
The ginger stray isn’t alone in this dystopian cyberpunk city, it is accompanied by a navigation droid called B-12.
B-12 is also searching for a way out of the city, but its memories, especially of its owner the Scientist are scrambled.
The duo set on a dark adventure, filled with sassy robotic lifeforms who fear creatures called the Zurks, in an attempted to find a way out of Dead City and the secret behind the outside world.
Stray’s plot is really fascinating as you have two unlikely heroes playing detective in an extraordinary world where everything is shrouded in mystery.
The game is filled with wonderful lore that keeps getting better as players expose the different secrets.
It's enjoyable to watch B-12’s innocent demeanour develop during the adventure as it grows in knowledge.
Stray’s pacing is right on the mark with the game striking the right balance between each major plot point keeping the overall experience very exciting.
Stray is a visual masterpiece that not only is stunning to look at but does a great job conveying different moods and atmospheres with its design.
There are several layers that makeup Dead City and each has been tailored fantastically, from the brazen neon lights that dazzle the high rises to the dark and eerie underparts.
It is clear to see how much work the developers have put into designing this world.
The character models are amazing with the feline protagonist being one of the best-looking animals I have seen in a game.
It looks and acts just like a real cat would. The robot’s cyberpunk-inspired designs are very charming and ominous at the same time.
For their first game, BlueTwelve Studio has truly created something special that’s unlike anything out right now.
Stray is an adventure game that combines several different elements to make up its enticing gameplay.
It is set in an almost open world that's filled with interactive NPCs and other peripherals.
Exploration is a big part of Stray and the game allows you to fully traverse the world with only a few areas being off limits. But the world is filled with a fair amount of secrets, information and items.
My only issue is that I would have loved a full open world that would’ve let the player explore till their heart's content, as there are several places that only cats can go and being able to fully see the entire world through a cat's eyes would be amazing.
Stray’s world is filled with many puzzles that offer various levels of challenge. They really vary in design with some utilising platforming elements that are probably the most straightforward out of the challenges.
The game really starts to become tricky when players have to search for items to enter secure buildings or solve codes.
It really helps to be curious and try all available options that may look correct, like dropping cans into fans or even searching for battery packs.
What I love is that the game rarely gives you hints and this will force players to really explore their surroundings and try out different methods.
There is combat but that plays a smaller role in this game with the Cat and B-12 using weapons to deal with the Zurks.
The game does a great job offering different experiences during each segment, striking the right balance between all the different gameplay elements.
The protagonist in Stray has access to several different abilities by using its jacket and B-12.
As players progress the stray will increase its skill set allowing it to defeat more enemies and reach new areas.
The great thing about Stray is that the developers haven’t oversaturated the game with so many different abilities, the protagonist still acts like a cat and players will mostly be relying on its agility and jumping skills.
I particularly love that the cat has the ability to scratch certain objects and how much its meow plays a massive role in its skill set.
Verdict 4/5
Stray is a fantastic first game from BlueTwelve Studio, that is an experience unlike any other.
I love the detail paid to make the protagonist as life-like as It could be, creating one of the most endearing characters to date.
I would love to see a sequel of some kind that takes place in a massive open world, but saying that Stray is still one of the year's hidden gems.
Stray is out on 19 July for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 and Microsoft Windows
