Exploring the Alleyways: Top 5 Games to Play If You're a Fan of "Stray"

"Stray" is an upcoming game that has taken the gaming world by storm even before its release. Developed by BlueTwelve Studio and published by Annapurna Interactive, the game allows players to step into the paws of a stray cat navigating a cyberpunk city. Its unique premise, stunning visuals, and intriguing gameplay have left many gamers eager for more. If you can't wait until 2022 to get your fix of feline adventures, here are five alternative games that might tickle your whiskers.

1. "The Cat Lady"

Introduction to "The Cat Lady"

"The Cat Lady" is a psychological horror adventure game developed by Harvester Games. It's a dark and intense game, where you play as a lonely, depressed woman who finds herself in a surreal world after attempting suicide.

Gameplay, Story, and Setting of "The Cat Lady"

In "The Cat Lady," players control Susan Ashworth, a lonely woman with the ability to communicate with cats. The gameplay is puzzle-focused, requiring the player to collect and combine items to progress. Throughout the game, Susan confronts manifestations of human cruelty and depravity, aided by her feline friends. The game is set in a dark, surreal world that mirrors Susan's mental state, filled with unsettling imagery and eerie soundscapes.

2. "Night in the Woods"

Introduction to "Night in the Woods"

Infinite Fall developed a single-player adventure game called "Night in the Woods". It is a story-driven game with a strong focus on characters, dialogue, and exploration, with an indie aesthetic that appeals to many "Stray" fans.

Gameplay, Story, and Setting of "Night in the Woods"

In "Night in the Woods," you play as Mae, a college dropout who returns to her struggling hometown. The gameplay revolves around exploring the town, interacting with its inhabitants, and uncovering the town's dark secrets. The game's setting is a decaying Rust Belt town full of anthropomorphic animals, with a story that explores themes of mental health, disillusionment, and the stagnation of small-town life.

3. "Blacksad: Under the Skin"

Introduction to "Blacksad: Under the Skin"

Pendulo Studios developed an adventure game called "Blacksad: Under the Skin". Based on the noir comic series "Blacksad," the game offers a grittier, more adult-oriented experience compared to the other games on this list.

Gameplay, Story, and Setting of "Blacksad: Under the Skin"

In "Blacksad: Under the Skin," you play as John Blacksad, a hard-boiled cat detective in 1950s New York. The gameplay is a mix of investigation, puzzle-solving, and quick-time events. The story revolves around a murder mystery that Blacksad must solve, filled with twists, turns, and a cast of colorful characters. The game's setting is a beautifully rendered version of 1950s New York, inhabited by anthropomorphic animals.

4. "Okami"

Introduction to "Okami"

"Okami" is an action-adventure game developed by Clover Studio. It is a unique and visually stunning game that combines Japanese mythology with a distinctive cel-shaded art style.

Gameplay, Story, and Setting of "Okami"

In "Okami," you play as Amaterasu, the Shinto sun goddess who takes the form of a white wolf. The gameplay is a mix of action, platforming, and puzzle-solving, with a unique mechanic where players use a celestial brush to interact with the world. The story is a grand adventure that draws heavily from Japanese mythology, with Amaterasu on a quest to defeat the eight-headed demon Orochi. The game's setting is a beautiful and stylized version of classical Japan, filled with lush landscapes and mythical beasts.

5. "Cat Quest"

Introduction to "Cat Quest"

"Cat Quest" is an open-world RPG developed by The Gentlebros. It's a light-hearted and fun game that combines elements of classic RPGs with a world full of feline puns.

Gameplay, Story, and Setting of "Cat Quest"

In "Cat Quest," you play as a cat adventurer, exploring a massive world filled with monsters, dungeons, and quests. The gameplay consists of real-time combat and exploration, with a leveling system and equipment upgrades reminiscent of classic RPGs. The story is a charming tale of heroism and cat puns, with the player on a quest to rescue their kidnapped sister. The game's setting is the world of Felingard, a vast and varied continent filled with towns, dungeons, and secrets to discover.

These five games each offer distinctive experiences that should appeal to fans of "Stray." Whether you're drawn to the dark psychological horror of "The Cat Lady," the small-town exploration of "Night in the Woods," the noir mystery of "Blacksad: Under the Skin," the mythological adventure of "Okami," or the light-hearted RPG fun of "Cat Quest," there's something here for every cat-loving gamer. So why wait until 2022? Dive into these games and satisfy your inner feline adventurer