Stray is my second favorite game of 2022 and a game I would recommend to cat lovers, casual gamers and gamers looking to try something new and innovative. It's a cyberpunk-themed, light platformer/puzzle game that you can complete in a single sitting, but one with an excellent narrative and the best soundtrack of the year (sorry Elden Ring). Sprinkled between the puzzles and platform sections are fast-paced chased sequences to give a light dose of excitement.

None of these core gameplay sequences are particularly challenging or complex, but you get some variety for a 6-7 hour game. In addition to these shorter levels and their sequences are two larger levels that allow for some exploration and collection hunting that may give you a reason for a second playthrough.

To avoid spoilers, I'll say that the themes of Stray's narrative are rather ambitious for such a small, novelty game. It very much asks questions about what makes us human and our relation to A.I, art and animals.

Stray is a surprisingly profound, fun game and I sincerely hope if kicks off a new era for ambitious indie games much like Journey did back in 2012.

9/10.

Stray is my second favorite game of 2022 and a game I would recommend to cat lovers, casual gamers and gamers looking to try something new and innovative. It's a cyberpunk-themed, light platformer/puzzle game that you can complete in a single sitting, but one with an excellent narrative and the best soundtrack of the year (sorry Elden Ring). Sprinkled between the puzzles and platform sections are fast-paced chased sequences to give a light dose of excitement. None of these core gameplay sequences are particularly challenging or complex, but you get some variety for a 6-7 hour game. In addition to these shorter levels and their sequences are two larger levels that allow for some exploration and collection hunting that may give you a reason for a second playthrough. To avoid spoilers, I'll say that the themes of Stray's narrative are rather ambitious for such a small, novelty game. It very much asks questions about what makes us human and our relation to A.I, art and animals. Stray is a surprisingly profound, fun game and I sincerely hope if kicks off a new era for ambitious indie games much like Journey did back in 2012. 9/10.