A cat is still a cat even in this gameplay trailer for Stray, set to release early 2022

The Annapurna games showcase ran only for 30 minutes, but it was jam-packed with more interesting games than many of the E3 events. However, the one that jumped out at me was Stray, a game where you played as a cat, doing cat things in a dilapidated city populated by robots. For the most part, Stray is about a cat doing plenty of typical cat things: knocking things off shelves, wandering aimlessly, and jumping across rooftops. However, as today’s gameplay walkthrough trailer for Stray shows, there’s a lot more that happens in a cat’s life when it’s wandering the cyberpunk streets of a robot dystopia. Stray is set to release on PC early 2022.

Thankfully, our furry friend won’t be alone in Stray. Early in the trailer, we meet a tiny, metal ally called B12. The miniscule flying drone pairs up with the feline, offering the kind of helping hand paws don’t allow. With B12 in tow, the cat gets a small (freakin’ adorable) backpack, where B12 can store items for one-time use or even quests. Near the end of the trailer, the cat stumbles upon a musician with no music to play. A quick search through the backpack reveals some sheet music, which the musician gladly accepts. The cat then curls up next to him to enjoy the tunes. Oh damn, I think I love this game.

Cuteness aside, there’s no denying that Stray has some dark edges. The decaying machine city is misty and caked in filth. Its denizens seem destitute, many wrapped in tattered clothes or sheets. There are also dangers, such as the pale grub-like creatures that the cat must escape from or fight off using B12. The developer promises mysteries to uncover and puzzles to solve.

Cat scratch fever

Either way, the gameplay trailer for Stray has me clawing for its release. The game is set to launch on PC early 2022, and it already has a Steam page to peruse.

“Stray is a third-person cat adventure game set amidst the detailed neon-lit alleys of a decaying cybercity and the murky environments of its seedy underbelly,” the game’s description reads. “Roam surroundings high and low, defend against unforeseen threats and solve the mysteries of this unwelcoming place inhabited by nothing but unassuming droids and dangerous creatures. See the world through the eyes of a stray and interact with the environment in playful ways. Be stealthy, nimble, silly,  and sometimes as annoying as possible with the strange inhabitants of this foreign world.”