'Stray' Review

The first time you load up Stray, you'll be treated to a post-apocalyptic world that's seemingly devoid of humanity and taken back by nature. A sense of wonder will quickly envelop your thoughts as you take control of the game's main cutesy calico and gallop alongside your fellow kitties during a sunny outdoor run. When your main kitty finds itself split apart from its besties, the game's true adventure takes over. Taking control of your new furry bestie is a joy since it reflects all the mannerisms and body motions you see in your everyday cat. Your new favorite tomcat can take big & small leaps, rub against friendly robots to show affection, hop into random boxes just for fun, and paw at various items when it's time to knock something over. Not only are those actions great for delivering everything you expect from a cat, but those same behaviors also play a huge part in how you'll tackle many of the game's stealth scenarios and puzzles. And before you ask, yes - there's a button that you can use to instantly meow.

One of Stray's most commendable attributes is its art style. As you make your way through an underground city inhabited by bots that mimic human behavior, you'll be taken aback by all the city-inspired sights. The slums you'll crawl through are filled with graffiti, splashes of color pop up in portions of the locales you'll explore, and the indoor shops/homes that your new bot buddies inhabit are equally attractive in their own right. The deeper you make your way through Stray, the more visually arresting the places around you become. I won't spoil what those locales are - just know that you'll always want to take an opportunity to have a cat nap while the camera zooms out to let you take in all the visual splendor around you. I also have to show some love to Stray's excellent sound design - the lowkey meows from your beloved cat, the signature gibberish the bots spout out, and all the catchy EDM & acoustic tunes your ears will be treated to are a testament to that statement.

For a game that appears to be nothing more than an excuse to run around as a fully realized 3D cat, Stray is a lot deeper than it initially appears to be. You'll be treated to storylines that deal with themes of togetherness, oppression, and hope. And by the time you reach the game's conclusion, you'll gain a deeper understanding of your helper bot B12, the machines who previously attempted to escape their underground expanse, and the rest of the population that make their stay in that same locale. There are intense moments that push you to keep your cat out of the clutches of parasitic organisms and calmer moments where you'll knock some pool balls around a table while some curious bots look on. Stray embraces the simplicity of being a playful cat and also introduces a surprisingly complex adventure that you'll never forget. I say all that to say this - this kitty caper is a fun one that will surely scratch the itch of curious onlookers that want to give it a shot. And that right there is how I'll bring my glowing Stray game review to a close.