If you’re not familiar with Stray, it’s a PS4/PS5 game where you play as a cat. It’s a very short game; the main story can be beaten in an afternoon. However, it’s available on PS+ (although going away soon), and can be purchased outright for <$30.
It’s the first time in a long time where I felt totally delighted by how innovative and different a video game was. First of all, playing as a cat isn’t just a cute gimmick. The level designs are all about navigating around slums using your size and acrobatic abilities of a cat.
Second, the world that the devs have created is so cool. It’s like some sort of cyberpunk version of Kowloon Walled City.
This game is not Elden Ring. But for an afternoon, it’s absolutely worth your time. I can’t recommend it enough. Especially if you are finding yourself burned out by the usual types of games. I hope the devs follow up with something else adjacent to this game!
It’s available on PC and there’s a sale on Steam too, 25% off, biggest discount so far. Been looking to pick it up.
I’m going to consider myself a below-average gamer because it took me several afternoons to finish the game. I got lost. I failed a lot at certain high-action sequences.
Aside from all that, absolutely wonderful, poignant yet hopeful game. I bought it and don’t regret it at all.
Eh, I found it decent. For $30 bucks, it didnt give me nearly enough play time to make it worth it for me. For $60 there are games that gave me 300+ hours worth of play time. There wasnt any replayability. However, I did find it a cute concept and the cat was absolutely adorable. And it upsetted me whenever the cat took any damage, so I did grow an attachment to the cat. But over all, it just wasnt for me
I guess it depends how heavily you weigh the value of a game on time invested vs creativity, gameplay, innovation etc.
Yup. Unfortunetly im at a point where I just like to sink lots of time into my games. Especially now that $70 seems to be the price standard. Replayability is proably one of my biggest factors when deciding on a single-player game. I originally bought the game for my wife, but I bought it, went to work a 10 hour shift, came back, and she was already done! So then I played it and finished it in almost the same amount of time. $30 for that just seemed… sorta like a rip off. Granted, I know its an indie game and it wasnt advertised as some huge game. But those are just my thoughts on the game
Nah I hear you. Value gets confusing when games like TOTK exist, or Hades. I guess if a game’s length is unsatisfying it doesn’t leave a nice taste. Especially so if you’ve spent a few quid on it in today’s financial climate.
I understand the argument, but for some people, a game that is short and sweet has more value than hundreds of hours that feel like filler sometimes. I have an hour or two of free time each day, and found myself not wanting to start any game above 40 hours or so.
I wish more games had a similar atmosphere.
I also wish you got some more closure at the end.
I’m still not sure if I finished it or not
It’s also on PC via Steam (at least) and current 25% off.
Plays pretty impressively on the steam deck, too. And definitely a lot of fun.
It was a short game but it did more in 8 hours than I’ve seen some games cover in 60 and I’ve never felt that invested in wanting to make sure the protagonist is okay
Stray is currently on sale for the summer sale on Steam.
I’ve been thinking about picking it up in the current Steam sale. Roughly how many hours do yo think it takes to complete at a pretty slow/casual pace? Mainly wondering if it’s worth $22.50 as I’ve read it’s a somewhat short game. Was going to wait for it to come down closer to $15 but I’m ready for a new casual/cute game now so I could be convinced to get it sooner rather than later lol
I’ve never quite understood the “dollar to hour” ratio people seem to crave. Games are the only media that people apply this “rule” to. I’ve never heard of someone talk about the Dollar to Time ratio of a book, or a movie, or tv series. They mostly just talk about how it’s a good or bad series. Maybe I’m off base, but I just find it weird.
I’m also weird, but the pattern I use for books and movies is kinda indirectly dollars/hr.
Basically if I think I’ll watch it more than twice, I’ll buy it. Otherwise it’s a rental/stream.
If it’s a book, I’ll either just go to the library or maybe buy the paperback. If I think I’ll read it more than twice I might get a hardcover.
My guess is people probably find it easier to gauge the worth of a game considering most games have a higher price point than those you mentioned. You could look at it the same way for a subscription service like Netflix. If you’re spending $10 a month over the course of a year and have invested $120 into the service but have only watched a couple of movies or barely use it, it may not seem like its worth it. I don’t think this sentiment is really expressed with things outside of gaming.
Stray is a great example for me of a game that was pretty short but I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and felt satisfied when I finished it.
5-6 hours if you are a seasoned gamer, 10ish if its a newer realm for you.
At a slow pace, maybe 10 hours? I really do think it’s worth it though.
I’d say it’s worth $22.50
I didn’t think it was short, I think it was almost the perfect length. I want more digestible experiences, a 2hr game that’s got a well told narrative is worth so much more to me than a 100hr grind fest.
I agree with everything else you said, I was deeply moved by it and even teared up at times
Seriously! I absolutely loved it. It was so nice just getting to explore and puzzle things out. A good balance of that plus a few intense moments. Just an awesome experience!
I can second this. I had a really nice time playing Stray.
I’m rather new to Playstation. What do you mean with ‘it’s going away soon’? If I have a Playstation subscription and ‘buy’ it (for free, as part of the subscription) can I keep playing it? Or do I need to complete it before a cut of date?
As long as you download it now, then you can keep the game as long as you’re a member of PS+. So if you even think you might play it in the future, download it now. Once it rotates off the subscription, then it won’t be available for download anymore (but people who already downloaded it can keep it).
Slightly off topic but do you find PS+ worth it? I’m toying with getting it at the moment
Yeah it looks interesting. It’s in my steam watchlist waiting for a steep discount.
With so many games to choose from, it’s hard to justify the money on what appears to be a very short game.
I played it for about one hour and then asked Steam to refund me. If some sort of gameplay mechanics where there they did nothing for me.
It’s been on my list for a while now. The Kowloon walled City comparison put me over the edge.
Thanks!
