Stray (PS5) stars a stray orange tabby, and it’s fun despite its short length. You’ll dodging monsters, solving puzzles, and knocking stuff over in this third-person action adventure. You’ll have a blast, but don’t expect anything groundbreaking from this game. You start out as the titular stray cat, along with three other kittens. When you fall into a sealed underground city, you have to find your way out. It’s obvious that the game takes some liberties. Despite being a cat, you’re smart enough to understand directions and solve puzzles. Sadly, my own cats aren’t that smart.
It’s a simple game. Running, jumping ledges and aircon compressors, knocking down bottles and books. Just like a cat, you can scratch carpets, couches, and walls. Meowing is the most important skill. Even in cutscenes, it’s too fun to spam, even if it doesn’t do anything. Stray is all about reuniting with your litter, and you’ll have to make your way through the city to do it. A drone called B-12 will tag along with you, as well as robots called Companions. You’ll have to sneak through some parts, dodge enemies, and solve the mystery of the city. Combat sections were tense, but mostly boring.
You can finish it in half a day – it’s short. You can also explore great-looking environments, collect stuff, and complete achievements. One achievement requires you to beat the game in under two hours, so I’m guessing speed runners will like it. It ends pretty quickly, leaving the story a little open-ended. The game has been well received so far, so a sequel seems likely.
