Review: Stray (Nintendo Switch)

Stray is a third-person adventure title for the Nintendo Switch. I say third person, but it’s really third cat, since in Stray, you play the role of a kitty lost in a dying city. This ambitious title heads to the Switch after an initial release on other systems in 2022. All I can say is, it’s about time.

The story begins with our unnamed kitty waking from a catnap. A beautiful scene unfolds as you learn how to control our protagonist, who can meow on command and rub lovingly against its cat family within their cave. This tutorial scene continues as the family wanders off, our protagonist in tow as we learn to jump and run. Controlling the cat instantly feels intuitive. The developers have done an excellent job of mapping cat movements, creating a natural way to control this four-legged creature.

As you stroll through the area, it soon becomes evident this is a post-apocalyptic world. Old pipes stretch across ravines as trees line the area, nature having taken back control. While you and your family seem to live in peace, an unexpected tumble traps our kitty in a starkly different area. 

Our adventure truly begins in a deep, dank alley full of rubbish. It’s time to start investigating! Stray’s narrative becomes a two-fold adventure. Firstly, you play the role of a lost cat trying to find its family. Secondly, as the story develops, you learn about the tragedy that befell this world – and work towards saving it.

The story is captivating without being overly complicated. As you explore, you soon meet an array of interesting characters. Without spoiling anything, it becomes evident that humanity has disappeared, leaving only robots in their wake. Rather than the terrifying AI of Skynet, these androids worked with humans, now mimicking and almost honoring them by wearing clothes and making music. No, there was something much more terrifying that wiped out mankind; and you will meet them along the way.

Stray’s narrative is nicely paced, dividing the story into chapters. There are 12 in total, typically beginning when you reach a new area. The environment ranges from sewers and buildings to a prison and a giant treehouse. Our little furball is adept at navigating any area, squeezing through tight gaps or jumping from high places just like a real cat. 

The gameplay also varies nicely. Some sections are quite fast-paced, requiring you to outrun some terrifying creatures. Other times, you might need to find and collect items for someone in order to unlock the next part of the story. There are also sections requiring stealth so as not to be caught. Amongst it all, there are puzzles aplenty. 

The puzzles are never overly taxing, yet tickle the brain in just the right way. Stray balances things perfectly this way, keeping things simple so as not to detract from the feeling of being a cat. For example, there’s a simple interface, with no life meter or even a map. At first, the lack of a map in this style of game had me feeling lost. The feeling soon passes, with Stray presenting a linear path that doesn’t feel linear. That is to say, you won’t get overly lost – even someone with a terrible sense of direction like me – yet the game lets you find the path on your own. It creates a strong sense of achievement as you wander and climb each area. 

Back to cat movements. I love the way the controls are set up. While walking and running can be done at any time, jumping and interacting with objects is only achievable when a small symbol indicates this possibility. It helps narrow your search to a degree, though don’t get me wrong – there are plenty of areas to explore, as well as collectibles to discover. The jumping itself is natural – you can reach most places easily. I also love that you can’t fall off even the narrowest of ledges, giving you an acrobatic feeling that comes with being a cat. 

As I mentioned, you’ll meet many interesting characters along the way. There’s a group of rebel robots that’s trying to reach the surface after being trapped underground for hundreds of years. In case you’re wondering how a mere cat can communicate with English-speaking androids, a small drone becomes your companion and translator. This addition keeps players on track so that our adventure, while controlling a non-human creature, still makes sense to the humans playing it.

Graphically, Stray is simply lovely. This is the type of game that had me stopping along the way to take screenshots and videos. The music is equally delightful, with some excellent tunes that pivot from moody to thumping depending on the scene. There are some breathtakingly beautiful sections throughout the adventure, and I love the juxtaposition of a cute kitty existing in this decaying world. 

It also wouldn’t be a cat-based game without cat-like moments of humor and joy. Apart from the ability to blurt out the cutest meow ever on command, our little kitty can also knock random items off shelves. Sometimes this is necessary to solve a puzzle, but at other times it’s just because you can. Walking robots can also trip over you. And there are also several nap spots to discover. A particular favorite of mine was when our feline napped alongside a musical robot as he played. After all, cats sleep 18 hours a day, and saving the world is tiring. 

These sweet moments exist to create a sense of hope despite the dark story. They also help catapult Stray into that rare type of game that has it all: unique gameplay, compelling story, and a sense of enjoyment that will linger in your memory long after the credits roll.

Overall, Stray is an ambitious outing featuring a feline trying to find its way home. The post-apocalyptic setting is both creepy and uplifting, with many characters to interact with. The visuals and audio are delightful, and the story is satisfying to see through to completion. Well done!