Cat lovers and gamers, rejoice! Amidst the chaos of PlayStation’s June 2022 State of Play, a whiskered wonder captured the spotlight—Stray, the highly anticipated third-person cat adventure game, has finally set a release date: 19 July 2022.developed by Annapurna Interactive, Even better? It’s coming day one to PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium, available on both PS4 and PS5.
What is Stray all about?
In Stray, you don’t play the hero… you purrform as one. You’re a stray cat, navigating a decaying cybercity filled with mysterious robots, neon lights, and hidden dangers. Developed by BlueTwelve Studio and published by Annapurna Interactive, this game blends exploration, stealth, and storytelling—all from the perspective of a curious cat.
Fun fact: The developers studied real cats (yes, hours of cat videos!) to capture the most realistic feline movements possible.
Core gameplay: More than just meow-sive cuteness
Stray’s appeal goes beyond adorable fur and whiskers. The controls have been carefully designed to mimic natural cat movements—scratching doors, curling up in cosy spots, knocking things over (obviously). BlueTwelve’s Swann Martin-Raget mentioned the challenge of replicating a cat’s grace and behaviour, but with a team of cat owners behind the project, it was a labour of love.
You’ll also meet B-12, a tiny drone companion that helps you interact with the environment and communicate with NPCs. It adds a layer of clever puzzle-solving and storytelling to the journey.
PS Plus and why this matters
Launching directly onto PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium is a big move. It shows Sony’s commitment to spotlighting indie gems that bring something fresh to the table—especially for players craving something unique beyond typical combat-heavy titles.
More PS Plus exclusives to explore:
Why we’re obsessed
Even if you’re more of a dog person (guilty as charged), it’s hard not to be charmed by this moody, mysterious world and its agile protagonist. Stray isn’t just about cat tricks—it’s about identity, survival, and discovery in a broken future that oddly mirrors our own.
And, yes, you cannot hurt the cat. We checked.
Final thoughts: Should you play Stray?
Absolutely. Whether you’re in it for the story, the sci-fi setting, or just to scratch virtual furniture, Stray offers something refreshingly different. It’s indie gaming at its most creative, and we’re 100% here for it.
