Stray Game Review
Game : Stray
Platform : PC
By : Annapurna Studios
Price: RM54 on steam
Welcome to another dystopian future. But in this future you don’t control a
futuristic super soldier, a cyborg, or a super human of any kind. The hero in
this game comes in the most unlikely form. You control a Cat. Welcome to the
world of Stray.
Stray is a 3rd person view game set in a beautifully depressing
setting on a far away future set in Wall City 99. Supposedly as one of the last
Bastions of Humanity against some cataclysmic threat that happened way before
the game’s current timeline. So if the city was supposed to keep the city safe,
why are you not controlling a futuristic badass human commando in the game?
Well, this is because all the humans in City 99 are dead. Not from the threat
outside the walls but from a plague that eventually wiped out all human life.
The game gives some glimpses into what happened to the humans, but nothing
really concrete. And the technology left behind, such as the robot servitors
were left to their own devices for centuries, eventually becoming self aware
and started to emulated their long gone human masters and made their very own
society in the ruins of City 99. And whatever the plague was that wiped out the
humans, apparently doesn’t affect
animals, this is where the Stray comes in.
You start the game on the outer walls of the city. This is where you learn
controls of your Cat, from jumping, running, meowing and more. As the game
progresses and you master the controls, you eventually fall into the sewer
systems of city 99, while your cat siblings can do nothing but watch as you
fall. You eventually make your way to the slums of city 99 and get sucked into
an amazing adventure for a cat.
Game play
As the cat you use all your speed, agility and cuteness to traverse the world, solve puzzles and progress the story. Although communicating with the robot denizens of the world is a little problematic since well you’re a cat. Early on in the game you will meet a little drone called B12 that will join you in your journey and translate everything for out feline protagonist. Not only can this drone speak cat, it can also hack consoles, open doors, be a flashlight in dark areas and even wield a weapon that can destroy the Zurks, the enemies of the game. He’s basically a high tech army swiss knife.
Graphics and Audio
The graphics of Stray is very good, which is surprising
considering its low system requirements. The details on the buildings, the
texture, the realistic animation of the cats fur all leads to the believability
and immersion factor.
As for audio, the game does it well and its all accompanied by a very nice
ambient style soundtrack. Another thing to note about the game is that not a
word of English is spoken throughout. The Robots use their own language and B12
becomes essential in translating everything from spoken dialogue to the signs.
Conclusion.
Stray is a refreshing change from your usual protagonist in dystopian future type games. You’re just an ordinary cat, trying to find a way out to get back to your family. It’s simple yet fun and makes for an interesting narrative and a unique angle in story telling. I give it a 9/10
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