As a cat enthusiast and long-time gamer, I must say that Stray was a purrfect blend of two worlds I adore. When it was announced, I was meowing with excitement (I couldn’t help myself). The cyberpunk aesthetic combined with the realistic feline movements had me hooked from the start.
The game titled “Stray,” developed by Annapurna Interactive and BlueTwelve Studio, was quite the sensation when it was unveiled during a PlayStation event. Its unique blend of cyberpunk aesthetics inspired by Kowloon Walled City and an authentic portrayal of feline movements and behaviors resonated strongly with the online community, given their shared affection for cats.
As the Nintendo Switch nears the end of its lifespan, it’s still intriguing to see games running smoothly on this unique hybrid console, especially major titles like One Piece Odyssey that were designed for more powerful hardware. This is entertaining because it underscores the challenge developers have faced over the years. On the other hand, games originally exclusive to the Switch, such as Shin Megami Tensei V, become even more exciting when they’re significantly upgraded, like strapping rockets to their backs. Stray falls into this first category, given its gameplay and identity are heavily based on its visual direction. The idea of a Switch version that’s worth purchasing seems quite ambitious, but it’s certainly impressive!
Initially, you’ll find that one of Stray’s main problems on Switch is its load times. These aren’t consistently frequent or extremely long, but they are prolonged enough to be noticeable, making certain deaths when confronting Zurks more stressful than expected. The second major issue is occasional frame rate drops, however, these occurrences are rare and typically only manifest during specific game events, like ziplining on a bucket across an environmental transition. In general gameplay, Stray operates smoothly at 30 frames per second. The only other issue I noticed was the hero cat model occasionally losing texture detail and appearing slightly desaturated in color.
Stray on Switch stands out particularly in its visual sharpness. The city’s neon lights, foreign signage, and intricate architecture all play a significant role in navigation. I had worries about this aspect due to resolution or distance issues that often affect details in Switch games. However, my concerns were unfounded as I could easily spot landmarks in the distance, read crucial text, and discern platforming paths with ease while surveying my surroundings. The dialogue text when interacting with B-12 or other robots during the story is also clear and effortlessly legible on default settings. Even though Stray might be brighter, more bustling, more colorful, and more detailed on other platforms, I never felt like I was playing a watered-down version of the game.
If you didn’t catch Stray when it initially released and are intrigued about the new Nintendo Switch version, there’s not much reason for concern. The main issues are occasional load times and minor performance drops, but they occur so seldom that they hardly detract from the overall gameplay experience. On the plus side, the visual depth and sharpness that define Stray’s character and game mechanics remain strong, with no noticeable sacrifices that make the Switch version feel second-rate as you play it. Although a direct comparison won’t put the Switch version in the lead, Stray’s port performs admirably, giving Nintendo enthusiasts a chance to explore one of the most acclaimed indie games of 2022.
As a gaming enthusiast, I’m thrilled to share that come November 19, 2024, Stray will be hitting the Nintendo Switch! If you can’t wait that long, it’s already available on PC, PlayStation 4 and 5, as well as Xbox One and Series X|S. Interestingly, I was fortunate enough to receive a code for the Nintendo Switch version directly from the publisher for this very article.
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2024-11-18 20:27