Screen-headed bots have names and you will likely remember them. It's very simple - there's no need to worry about inventory space or juggling too many items - and NPC chatter is short, but friendly.

You can store puzzle-solving materials and present them to characters during conversation when necessary. You can communicate with robots in the city using your drone. Ask around if you are unsure and then let the neon lights draw you in. Midtown is a bustling, lively area with some tricky critical-path puzzles. It was a fun experience and I wasn’t wasting my time. I set out to collect energy drinks, sheet music, and memories for my drone companion B-12 who is the driving force behind this epic escape story.Īlthough I didn't have to go through the Slums in detail, I found myself so engaged in finding every hidden corner that I didn’t mind. In the first of the two main hub-like areas of the city, I spent a lot of time jumping on pipes, air conditioners and walls. You can have a chat with the locals by bringing B-12 along. It's easy to forget about falling, and the game feels real enough. Instead of making precise jumps, the game is more about mentally charting the path ahead. To keep things moving, instead of jumping manually and landing like in 3D platformers, tap 'jump' whenever you see the visual prompt 'land here'. If it appears like the cat can jump onto a surface in Stray, there's a good chance it can. This game would not have as much flow in less skilled hands. Yet, the 'way forward” is not overwhelming or confusing. As a cat that is agile, there's plenty of vertical space to explore. The ruins of the city are a great place for Stray to play. As someone who enjoys simulation-oriented games that attempt to capture a certain animal's spirit while still being enjoyable to play, I have been burned before. We've seen it before, with flashy ideas and games that grab the attention of the wider internet. This is the most important question I have to answer when I start this review. Released: JMSRP $29.99Īs a general idea, I was concerned that Stray might feel too one-note.

Developer: BlueTwelve Studio Publisher Annapurna Interactive. It is worth mentioning the lighting and colors. Stray is a puzzle-adventure video game that rewards curiosity, keeps you engaged and has a richly crafted world. The setting was unexpectedly captivating and capturing my imagination. The game's charming robot companions and the strange, yet vibrant, city they live in are both highlights.

Star of the show is the unassuming protagonist, a cat living in a sci-fi world where humans have long since passed.

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