![]() The navigation system helps emphasize that idea. There’s a sad backstory behind it all, but it’s a game about a creature finding a way to survive and thrive in any environment it’s placed in. Dilapidated apartment buildings become cat towers with lots of ledges to jump on and nooks to explore. The feline perspective allows players to see a potentially dystopian space through earnestly curious eyes. ![]() There’s an underlying sense of tragedy present in the isolated robot world, but the game doesn’t have a depressing tone. Stray feels like a direct descendant of Ico. Stray gets that a well-designed world doesn’t need to dangle treats in front of players … From the game’s astonishing electronic soundtrack to its detailed cityscapes awash in decaying neon signs, it’s easy to black out the real world as you wander around the digital one (that is, unless your actual cat gets hungry and starts shouting over your headset). The real star of the show is its distinct atmosphere, which turns the game into a truly transportive experience. The cat-focused gameplay is only a small part of what makes Stray work. No other game I’ve played with an animal lead has really captured that feeling in the same way, but now I wish more did. Those often comedic touches gave me a momentary glimpse into my cat’s confused little brain. It was when I got my head stuck in a paper bag, inverting my controls until I managed to shake it off. For me, the most memorable scene wasn’t when I was running from a pack of parasitic enemies. It’s the authentic feline moments that make the game special rather than its video game-y ones. For instance, one brief stretch of the game introduces a combat mechanic that disappears before it can really develop. Those ideas help bring some variety to the game, though they can feel a little obligatory at times. To widen out the list of actions players can do, Stray gives its cat hero a drone companion that handles the more basic adventure game tropes like trading items with NPCs. It’s the authentic feline moments that make the game special … There are a small handful of traditional puzzles that require brainwork, like using written clues to figure out safe combinations, but Stray doesn’t quite find as many ways to utilize the few skills players have as well as, say, Untitled Goose Game. Some of the charm gets lost in those moments, as I’d almost forget I was controlling a cat altogether once the adventure game auto-pilot kicked in. ![]() By the end of my journey, it felt like just about any non-platforming puzzle was solved by scratching or knocking something over. There are limits to what Stray’s able to do with its feline setup. Even totally optional interactions, like finding a good book nook to nap in, are joyfully clever. A stealth section had me jumping into boxes to hide from patrolling drones. For instance, scratching a door might cause an annoyed robot to swing it open, allowing you to dart inside. BlueTwelve Studio has a blast here figuring out how standard cat behaviors can twist into navigation tools. Separated from its family after dropping into a walled city full of sentient robots, the furry hero has to use its unique skills to solve puzzles and escape the mysterious slums. Image used with permission by copyright holder That premise allows for some creative gameplay decisions that are always a delight to discover. It’s your everyday pet that naps and scratches couches. The game’s orange hero isn’t some anthropomorphized, talking tabby running around on two legs. Stray has perhaps the easiest selling point in the history of video games: Live out your ultimate fantasy by controlling a totally normal cat. Software Usage Terms apply, See eu./legal for full usage rights.The best games on PlayStation Plus, Extra, and Premiumīest PS5 deals: Save on consoles, games, and accessoriesīetween its clever (though limited) gameplay ideas and weighty social commentary, Stray is a special experience that works best as a futuristic mood piece. exclusively licensed to Sony Interactive Entertainment Europe. Library programs ©Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc. See Health Warnings for important health information before using this product. You can download and play this content on the main PS5 console associated with your account (through the “Console Sharing and Offline Play” setting) and on any other PS5 consoles when you login with your same account. See Terms of Service for more important information. If you do not wish to accept these terms, do not download this product. See /bc for more details.ĭownload of this product is subject to the PlayStation Network Terms of Service and our Software Usage Terms plus any specific additional conditions applying to this product. Although this game is playable on PS5, some features available on PS4 may be absent. To play this game on PS5, your system may need to be updated to the latest system software.
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