Stray Review (Nintendo Switch OLED)

Rating: 8.2
Author: Jim Smale

by Jim Smale · December 5, 2024

Stray Review, Stray is a third-person cat adventure game set amidst the detailed, neon-lit alleys of a decaying cybercity and the murky environments of its seedy underbelly. Roam surroundings high and low, defend against unforeseen threats, and solve the mysteries of this unwelcoming place inhabited by curious droids and dangerous creatures.

Stray Review Pros:

Beautiful graphics.
5.6GB download size.
3 save slots.
Graphics settings – motion blur slider, and brightness slider.
You can remap the controls.
Game settings – reticle, reticle scale, show Hud, show jump prompts, show cat death, and auto camera.
Controller settings – vibrate Invert axis and sensitivity slider. Shake mode, run mode, zoom mode, and defluxor mode.
Action puzzle platformer gameplay.
Tutorial pop-ups as you play.
A full 3D game world with 360-degree camera control.
You play as a cat.
Interact and play with other cats.
A fascinating game world full of wonder and exploration.
Puzzles are plentiful but laid out in a way that you are not bombarded by them constantly.
FMV cutscenes and in-game interactions.
Full of charm and personality.
The story is really good and has a lot of room for you to interpret parts of it for yourself.
The Reload checkpoint option also shows how much you have played since the last checkpoint.
Turning off button prompts make the game a lot more immersive.
Third-person view.
Solid parkour platforming that feels good but also looks good.
The world is just big enough that you can get some exploring in without feeling too lost.
A handy meow button.
The world is populated with robots who are friendly and try to communicate with you.
Amazing lighting work.
It’s such a memorable experience.
I personally found it very hard to put down.
The art and font work in particular is so impactful and cool looking.
You do get the opportunity to do ass-hole cat actions like knocking things over and generally being an arse.

Stray Review Cons:

In docked mode, the game still has a fair amount of slowdown and juddering.
You can see where they dialed the graphical details back.
No way to skip cutscenes.
Very little replay value.
Sad scenes that could be distressing to some gamers.
Any precise actions can be tricky more for the way in which the cat turns.

Stray:

Official website.

Developer: BlueTwelve Studio

Publisher: Annapurna Interactive

Store Links –

Nintendo

8/10

Graphics - 8/10
8/10

Sound - 8/10
8/10

Accessibility - 8/10
8/10

Length - 8/10
9/10

Fun Factor - 9/10

8.2/10

Summary

The game boasts beautiful graphics and a manageable 5.6GB download size, offering three save slots for players. The graphics settings include a motion blur slider and a brightness slider, while the controls can be remapped to suit individual preferences. Game settings are comprehensive, featuring options for reticle adjustments, HUD display, jump prompts, cat death visibility, and auto camera. Controller settings are equally detailed, with options for vibration, axis inversion, sensitivity adjustments, and various modes like shake, run, zoom, and defluxor.

The gameplay is an action puzzle platformer with tutorial pop-ups to guide players. It features a full 3D game world with 360-degree camera control, and you play as a cat, interacting and playing with other cats in a fascinating world full of wonder and exploration. Puzzles are plentiful but well-spaced, ensuring players are not overwhelmed. The game includes FMV cutscenes and in-game interactions, adding to its charm and personality. The story is engaging and leaves room for personal interpretation.

The game offers a reload checkpoint option that shows progress since the last checkpoint, and turning off button prompts enhances immersion. The third-person view and solid parkour platforming feel good and look impressive. The world is large enough for exploration without causing players to feel lost, and a handy meow button adds to the fun. The world is populated with friendly robots who try to communicate with you, and the lighting work is amazing, making the experience memorable. The art and font work are particularly impactful and cool-looking. Players can also engage in typical cat behaviors like knocking things over.

However, the game has some drawbacks. In docked mode, it experiences slowdown and juddering, and the graphical details are noticeably dialed back. There is no way to skip cutscenes, and the game has very little replay value. Some scenes are sad and could be distressing to certain gamers. Precise actions can be tricky due to the way the cat turns.

Overall, the game is a memorable experience with beautiful graphics, engaging gameplay, and a fascinating world to explore. Despite some technical issues and limited replay value, it offers a unique and charming adventure that is hard to put down.