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Play OverviewPlay Overview

Stray (2022) is an adventure traversal game about a cat lost in a futuristic city where robots live. You guide your feline friend in and out of buildings, across roads and generally poke your nose in to see what is going on.

It's a combination of exploration and puzzle-solving interspersed with more fast-paced action sequences. You have a pack on your back that enables you to interact with the environment.

But, similar to games like Limbo or Inside, the real focus is the story and the setting of the game. "Lost, alone, and separated from family, a stray cat must untangle an ancient mystery to escape a long-forgotten cybercity and find the way home." It's a game that asks questions about human survival and our relationship with machines. What better creature than a cat to unlock humanity's forgotten future?

Our examiner, Ben Kendall, first checked Stray 3 years ago. It was re-examined by Andy Robertson and updated 10 days ago.
Kids not old enough for this yet? There are lots of games similar to Stray. Here are some similar younger-rated games:

Play StylePlay Style

This is an Adventure and Traversal game with Narrative and Puzzle elements. This is a single-player game.

 
You can play this game in the following styles:

DurationDuration

Play Time: This game will take between 6 hours and 8 hours to complete.

Age RatingsAge Ratings

Content Rating

Rated PEGI 12 for Moderate Violence. The player's cat character can be attacked by large flea-like creatures, which causes the cat to meow and the screen to turn red. If the cat is unable to shake off the creatures, it falls over and players restart at the last checkpoint. The creatures can be killed if a light is shone on them, causing them to pop. Later in the game, the cat character must avoid being shot by electric lasers emitted by sentry drones. Again, if the cat is hit by the laser beams, the screen turns red and the cat falls over. No blood or injuries are depicted.

Rated for younger players in the US. Rated ESRB EVERYONE 10+ for Animated Blood, Fantasy Violence. Players sometimes encounter parasitic blobs/mice-like bots that can attack and kill the cat. Players can access a UV light to defeat the mice-like bots, causing them to explode and emit splashes of coloured liquid.
There are a few ways your cat can get hurt that may unsettle younger players. In the deeper sewers, you can be chased by Zurks, a large, mutated bacteria that can swarm and devour the cat. They hunt you and you have to run away which can be stressful and scary for some. When they catch you they cover you like a piranha and then the screen goes dark red. At other times the cat is hurt by lasers and tranquillised to be trapped in a cage. You can be shot by floating robots that kill you with a sparking laser after which you are seen lying motionless on the ground.

Skill Level

10+ year-olds usually have the required skill to enjoy this game. Still, it's important for parents and guardians to consider the maturity required to process the game content. The skill here is more choosing traversal routes and observation to find things rather than platforming timing.

CostsCosts

Stray usually costs £23.99 to £24.99.
 

Stray

XBox Store Xbox X|S £24.99
XBox Store Xbox One £24.99
PlayStation Store PS5 £24.99 Free

PS Plus Extra

PlayStation Store PS4 £24.99 Free

PS Plus Extra

XBox Store PC £24.99
Steam Store PC £23.99
Steam Store Mac £23.99
There are no additional in-game purchases, loot boxes, adverts or subscription costs.

DetailsGame Details

Release Date: 19/07/2022, updated in 2023

Out Now: Mac, PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One and Xbox X|S

Skill Rating: 10+ year-olds

Players: 1

Genres: Adventure, Traversal (Narrative and Puzzle)

Accessibility: 17 features

Components: 3D Third-Person and Cartoon

Developer: HK Dev Blog (@HKDevBlog)


Taming Gaming Book Written by parents for parents, the database complements the in-depth discussion about video game addiction, violence, spending and online safety in the Taming Gaming book. We are an editorially independent, free resource without adverts that is supported by partnerships.

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