Wednesday, 18 December 2024

Stray: Nintendo Switch Review

Stray: Nintendo Switch Review

Stray was always going to be a tricky game to port across to a smaller device. 

This once PlayStation exclusive excelled in its visual aesthetics and its detailed worlds that shone with the power of a console behind it.

So it was inevitable that Annapurna interactive would stumble into issues with this by porting it to a smaller device that lacks as much power as a next-gen machine.

Stray: Nintendo Switch Review

But while largely the graphics falter a little, none of the original core gameplay suffers as a result of the move across - and the core gameplay still impresses.

For those unfamiliar with developer BlueTwelve Studio's game, you play a stray cat who falls into a walled city populated by robots, machines and bacteria - and who tries to return to the surface with the help of B-12, a drone companion.

It's a third person game that sees you playing as a cat, meowing as a cat, and generally feline fine doing so.

Stray: Nintendo Switch Review

But where Stray works is in its lifelike motions and moves of the animal, leaping lithely from platforms, slinking across roofs, and climbing up obstacles. Puzzles litter the way, and the world offers some interesting edges to explore.

At its heart, it may be a cat simulator (you can claw things, knock things off walls, and scratch at floors) but it does it well. The puzzles are lighter fare aimed at guiding you to solutions rather than vexing you forever, meaning frustration is kept at bay throughout.

Even on a smaller scale, the heartfelt emotion hits as well as it always has. Stray will find a way into your heart and with its curious mix of dystopian story-telling and animal antics, it remains a potent game to experience.


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Stray: Nintendo Switch Review

Stray: Nintendo Switch Review Stray was always going to be a tricky game to port across to a smaller device.  This once PlayStation exclusiv...