Review: Stray

destructoid.com:

Stray isn’t just a good time for cat lovers, it’s a good video game, period. A great one, even.

The unassuming protagonist — a normal cat in a not-so-normal sci-fi world in which humans are long gone — is the star of the show. But the game’s surprisingly endearing robot companions, and strange, decaying yet vibrant city they inhabit, are also high points. I didn’t expect the setting to draw me in and capture my imagination this much.

If you like the sound of a puzzle-adventure game that rewards curiosity and stays fresh the whole way through with a wonderfully fleshed-out world, you’ve gotta play Stray.

Stray (PC, PS4, PS5 [reviewed]) Developer: BlueTwelve Studio Publisher: Annapurna Interactive Released: July 19, 2022 MSRP: $29.99

Just as a general concept, I was afraid Stray would end up feeling too one-note — anyone else? Coming into this review, I feel like that’s one of the main questions to answer.

It’s something we’ve seen before with games that capture the wider internet’s attention with a flashy idea. And as a fan of more simulation-minded games that try to nail a specific animal’s vibe while still being fun to play, I’ve been burned before, definitely.

Stray pulls off the balancing act, though — it’s inherently engaging to explore as a cat, and the ruined city is a perfect playground. There’s so much space to explore vertically as a nimble cat, yet the “way forward” is never overwhelming or obtuse. In less capable hands, this game wouldn’t have nearly as much flow, and I think that’s the crucial ingredient.

In Stray, if it looks like the cat can leap onto a surface, chances are, it can. And to keep things moving along, instead of manually jumping and landing like in a 3D platformer, you’ll just tap “jump” when