When starting out in Stray, you meet the hero cat. They are nameless, injured and alone. But this is no alley cat. In a strange city populated only by robots, their sole objective is to navigate their way home.
Brought to life by a team of cat lovers at BlueTwelve Studio, the cat possesses all the lovable traits you might expect from a fearless feline protagonist.
Reference for the hero. Studio co-founders Koola and Viv's cat.
Studio cat and reference for animation. Animator Miko's cat.
Studio cat. Level artist Clara's cat.
Producer Swann's cat.
Producer Swann's cat.
B-12 can be called upon to help interact with anything electronic (computers, doors, etc.), and helps the cat read the robot alphabet on signs and understand what robots say.
While only a small drone, B-12 contains the inventory for quest items. Items in this inventory can be shown to robot inhabitants to progress. It also stores ‘memories’ that can be inspected later to reveal information about the city.
Call him at any time to remind you of your current objective - especially if you’re lost and don’t know where to go.
While the cat’s speed and agility are its first line of defence against enemies, an unlockable ability gives B-12 some tools to fight back. Tick-like enemies called Zurks and other dangers are waiting for you though, and B-12’s skills are limited so you’ll also need to use stealth and the environment to outwit them.
B-12 provides torchlight in the many dark areas of the city.
Some robots are especially useful to help you progress your journey. Keep an eye out for Momo in the opening section of the game, and later, Grandma, who helps make clothes out of spare parts for the community. Try talking to everyone though as you never know who will prove a useful contact.
The city in Stray is inspired by Kowloon Walled City – a place that BlueTwelve Studio co-founders have always been fascinated by. They considered the concentration of dwellings and various levels to feel somewhat organic.
Using this as a reference, visual experiments of a city like Kowloon were created, and soon became a perfect playground for a cat. The concept for Stray quickly followed.
Colourful neon signs and string lights beautifully illuminate what would otherwise be a bleak dystopian civilization.
Adding robots to this environment provides an intriguing narrative, and a stark contrast between their synthetic yet humanoid nature, the organic feel of the city and distinct lack of humans.
The verticality of the city adds a new dimension to exploration.
You’ll need to solve environmental puzzles and search high and low for ‘memories’ that unlock data in B-12 about the city. How do the plants still grow without sunlight? Where did the robot alphabet come from? What happened to the previous inhabitants of the city?
Only a cat can access some of these areas to uncover mysteries of the past and present.
Buy on PlayStation Store
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