Editor's note: our hands-on time with Stray has been limited to the PlayStation 5 version of the game so far. We have not had access to test the Xbox version ahead of release, so these impressions are purely based on the PS5 experience at the time of publishing.
After a long, catnip-barren year, indie darling Stray is finally out on Xbox platforms today after launching in 2022 as a PlayStation console exclusive. We played through the game last year on PS5, so here's what we think of this kitty-filled adventure as it sneaks its way onto Xbox. Spoiler alert: fantastic feline adventures await.
Ever since Stray slinked its way into the eyes of the general public, players have been enamoured about the thought of exploring a largely abandoned cyber city as a cute little cat. On paper the idea makes so much sense; cats are mischievous little fellows who'd probably love a good post-apocalyptic explore, and the internet loves them to boot. Thankfully, Stray not only works on paper but also in practice as BlueTwelve Studio delivers one of our favourite indies so far this generation.
The basic setup is this: you're out with your feline friends doing your thang when you accidentally fall down a massive gap and end up in a sprawling underground city. The atmosphere of the city is notable right off the bat; something just feels odd about the place and it makes for some eerie exploration as you fumble around, looking for what's next. You also quickly realise that there aren't any humans down here - the place is home to a bunch of robots who contain 'memories' of life before, when humans inhabited the city.
Much of Stray is about wandering around and figuring out how to progress, with the robots playing a very important role in that cycle - they know lots about the city and where to find things. Interacting with them becomes key, and you'll likely form close bonds from time to time with what feels like the only sentient things left in the world (aside from your cat pals back home of course).
The longer the game goes on the more it relies on these robot interactions, and we must be honest, this is probably Stray's weakest link. During the early parts of the adventure you're doing lots more creeping around and just taking in the atmosphere, and those early sections play to Stray's biggest strength; environmental storytelling. We understand that the game goes for a more involved crescendo towards the end, but our favourite parts of Stray were right at the beginning where we just soaked up the city and everything its spooky streets had to offer. And offer lots they do.
You might be thinking, how does Stray actually play? Well, sort of like a 3D platformer we suppose. Yes, it seems odd to play a video game as a realistically rendered cat to begin with, but the star of Stray doesn't really control much different to your average 3D platforming hero. At times the kitty fairs even better to be honest; cats are great at slinking around, leaping up to ledges and just finding the sneakiest way to get where they want to go. Oh, and you can scratch at furniture, so it's realistic too!
There's quite a heavy 'walking simulator' vibe with Stray though - you're not going to be doing quite as much jumping, platforming and collectathon-ing as your average 3D platformer. Again, this plays to the game's strengths though, as the walled city is probably the biggest 'character' in the entire game and the less distraction from that, the better.
Once you continue to figure out where to go next and progress through large parts of the city, the game's conclusion arrives quite suddenly, but it does pose some interesting questions. A lot of the storyline and general themes within Stray are largely up to the player's interpretation, so we won't spoil much aside from saying we felt pretty satisfied with it by the end. The emptiness of Stray's world sticks with you, and the whole experience leaves quite a profound impact by the end of the adventure.
We can confidently say that Stray is absolutely worth playing, even if it's perhaps become a bit of a victim of its own hype over the last year. You'll struggle to find such a well-realised setting in an indie title like this, and that's definitely the game's strongest asset. The stray kitty itself definitely plays its part in the adventure though, and if you're especially fond of our feline friends, we'd imagine you'll have a great time with this gorgeous indie adventure on Xbox.
Are you planning on grabbing Stray? Let us know if it's a day one buy down below!
Comments 18
I'm not normally a fan of Walking Sims but loved every minute of Stray.
Will likely pick it up on Xbox to play through again with the added bonus of a fresh achievement list
Can't wait to sink my claws into this. I never did get around to this one on PS5, but I was happy this finally came to Xbox as it is my platform of choice - plus I had a $10 Microsoft credit thanks to Microsoft Rewards, which also help!
I’ll definitely play this at some point, but I’ll be playing games like Zelda, Diablo IV, Starfield, Alan Wake 2, and BG3 before I pick this up. So it’s gonna be a bit…
I played this last year, great game. It was never a "Playstation exclusive". It came out for PC as well and was always going to be coming to Xbox after a year.
Never appealed to me on PS5 but its one of those games that I'd consider trying if it came to PS+/GwG or Game Pass. It never appealed enough that I'd consider spending money on it and doesn't appeal more now its finally coming to Xbox.
Its like Deathloop/Ghostwire - two games that never appealed before MS announced they were purchasing Bethesda and wouldn't have purchased either of these - but I can play them now on Game Pass if I wanted (not that I have yet).
It's good that others can now get to play on more platform but its not something I'd spend money on or feel like I have 'missed out' on something if I never play
@BAMozzy it was on PS+ so you missed getting to try it.
Watched a large part of my daughter's playthough, and it was cool for both of us. But after 'seeing' it, didn't feel the need to have a go myself. In other words, great looking and worth the time, but it's the tour of the environs that's the hook.
@PsBoxSwitchOwner It was? As in the PS+ Essential tier - not the Extra/Premium tiers. If it was, I would have added it to my PS+ Essentials 'Library' of games that I may/may not end up playing - if it was on PS+ Essential, then I probably did add it but never appealed enough to bother downloading/playing...
I won't subscribe to Extra/Premium tiers to play games that have been out a while and only subscribe to Game Pass because it offers Day 1 releases. Otherwise I'd stick to Gold/Game Pass Core and just buy games as when they are at prices I'm willing to pay.
As I said, its the type of game I'd only consider 'trying' if its given away on a Service I subscribe to - but even that isn't a guarantee I'll actually get round to trying it because it doesn't appeal 'more' than many of the other games I can play.
I'm not going to play something I'm not that bothered about when I have games I am really invested in, games I really want to play/finish etc so even if they do give it away 'free', I doubt I'll get round to playing it - but I would add it to my PS+ (Essential only tier) games - just in case one day I change my mind or fancy playing something 'different'...
@BAMozzy @PsBoxSwitchOwner It's was on PS+ Extra. It being removed was the reason I finished it and got the plat for both PS4 and PS5 versions.
Tried to play it. Just wasn’t my cup of tea. Glad others enjoyed it though. Not sure why it received nominations for awards. I guess it was the PS5 factor.
@cburg I think so, it was even awarded Game of the Year by Golden Joystick.
Shame it took this long to arrive. I just ordered the Spider-Man edition PS5 alongside a physical copy of Stray. I waited over a year to play this so I can wait another 3 weeks at this point lol.
Happy it’s on multiple platforms now, though!
I am very disappointed with this game. You just have to press buttons in the right places and you have to find that specific places first.
I wish my cat could jump only where I allowed
My daughter enjoyed it on PC. I just bought it again on XBox for the TV experience.
Been wanting to give this a go since it came out on PS5. Downloading now.
I am in love with this kittycat adventure. It's exactly what I hoped for and I'm definitely going to play it several times over hahaha
Would the people here say this is a good game for the 6-8 year old set? I'm wondering how complicated it is. They enjoy wandering around doing things at their pace games.
Finished on PC, I'll plan to play it again.
Amazing game.
Leave A Comment
Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...