01//Briefing
A cat is separated from its family and falls into a sealed city where humans have disappeared and robots live on with their own habits and culture. With a drone, B-12, that can translate and carry items, you explore and slowly uncover what happened. It is a gentle, melancholy story with a satisfying ending.
02//In the field
You jump between ledges with a single button, knock things off shelves, scratch carpets and curl up for naps. Light puzzles and some chase sequences against creatures called Zurks add tension. It is not a demanding game; its pleasure is in being a cat.
03//The city
The Walled City is a gorgeous neon slum of cables, laundry, signs and rooftops, inspired by real dense cities. Robots have homes, bars and music, and talking to them is often funny and touching. This is the strongest atmosphere on our chart after Night City.
04//Systems & choice
Very light: there is no levelling and few choices. Hidden memories and badges add some collecting. The game is about mood more than systems.
05//On your rig
Verified on Steam Deck and runs on modest PCs. It looks excellent with simple settings. Expect about six or seven hours.
Upgrades
- Unforgettable premise
- Beautiful, detailed city
- Charming robot inhabitants
- Short and well-paced
Bugs
- Platforming is simplified and automatic
- Little replay value
BEST FOR
Anyone who wants a short, beautiful, low-stress cyberpunk game.
SKIP IF
You want challenge or a long game.
SC//Scores
- Story & writing ×25%
- 4.0
- Play feel ×25%
- 3.4
- World & atmosphere ×20%
- 4.8
- Systems & choice ×15%
- 3.0
- PC tech ×15%
- 4.6
4.0×25% + 3.4×25% + 4.8×20% + 3.0×15% + 4.6×15% = 3.950 → 4.0
FINAL VERDICT
Stray is a small game with a big heart. Its cyberpunk city is one of the most atmospheric on Steam, and playing as a cat never stops being delightful.
Written by the Game Top Guide editorial desk · Updated 3 Oct 2026 · How we rate · Report an error
