It's been just about two years since gamers first got a look at Stray, a cyberpunk cat adventure game being developed by BlueTwelve Studio and published by Annapurna Interactive. Since then, gamers and cat lovers have been anxiously awaiting the title, which looks to be one of the most unique and charming games to release in recent years. Ahead of the game's recently-announced July 19 release date, CBR was given the opportunity to attend a preview for the game and take a closer look at the dark and adorable feline adventure that promises to take gamers on an adventure as paw-sitively charming as the creatures its based on.
At its core, Stray is a fairly simple game. Players control a nameless cat living in a world of robots, neon lights and dark alleys, and they are accompanied by a drone called B-12 who hangs out in their backpack. While BlueTwelve didn't say much about the story, wanting to keep it a surprise, one thing is clear from both the trailers and the gameplay demo: The developers understand cats (at least to the extent that anyone can understand cats).
The main thing that stuck out from our preview was how much effort BlueTwelve put into immersing players in their role as a cat. Certain puzzle have to be solved by doing things like having the cat pick something up in their mouth and bringing it somewhere else or, amusingly, knocking things off of surfaces in true cat fashion. Every detail, from leaving paw prints behind after walking through paint to having the option to scratch things using the triggers on a controller reflects the developer's goal of exploring different gameplay opportunities that come from being a cat.
While some of these options are primarily for immersion (such as an option to sleep pretty much anywhere just as cats are famous for), these cat-centric features often translate into unique gameplay options. For example, while scratching a couch might not achieve much outside of some property damage, going to a closed door and scratching it may alert someone who can open the door, allowing players to reach new areas that their feline protagonist would otherwise be unable to reach. There's also the option to hide in cardboard boxes, which can be useful for stealth.
As for the gameplay itself, Stray is a mostly linear game. Some levels are fairly straightforward, while other areas are a bit more open. The gameplay we saw featured a mix of fast-paced challenges as the cat runs through the world jumping on platforms and avoiding enemies, as well as slower moments of exploring the world with B-12 translating the robot's language and recovering its own memories. When asked how long it will take to complete the story, the developers told us that it would likely take the average player 7-8 hours, with an additional hour or two for those who want to find everything the game has to offer.
PlayStation gamers who enjoy trophy hunting will also be happy to hear that Stray has some trophies that are challenging and fun to unlock, with the developers teasing that one in particular will likely be difficult for most players. While BlueTwelve said it wanted to keep the game balanced and accessible for gamers of all skill levels, it also wanted to provide some challenges for gamers to overcome.
Overall, what's most clear about Stray is that the game is being developed by cat lovers for cat lovers. BlueTwelve estimates that about 80% of the team consists of cat owners, and there are a couple of cats who hang out in the office. The game's protagonist is even based on studio co-founders Koola and Viv's cat, Murtaugh. That appreciation for cats is reflected at every level, from the dynamic cat animations to the level and puzzle design. Stray appears to capture the cute, chaotic, and quirky behaviors that make cats so endearing, creating something that's both a celebration of felines and a solid adventure game in its own right.
Developed by BlueTwelve Studio and published by Annapurna Interactive, Stray will release for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, and PC on July 19