In the post-apocalyptic world of Stray, critics are divided on the story's impact. While some praise its unique premise, heartwarming bond between the cat protagonist and companion drone, and exploration of deep themes like AI and societal issues, others criticize its lack of emotional connection and forgettable characters. Despite mixed reviews, the game's intriguing world-building and engaging narrative have made it a standout title of 2022 for many critics.

In Stray, critics praise the unique experience of playing as a cat, engaging in cat-like behaviors, and exploring immersive environments. However, criticisms include simplistic platforming, repetitive mechanics, and shallow puzzles. Overall, while the gameplay captures the essence of being a cat, it falls short in providing challenging and varied gameplay elements according to some reviewers.

Critics rave about the stunning graphics and immersive visual design of Stray, praising its attention to detail in post-apocalyptic cyberpunk settings. Despite some criticism for outdated graphics and animation errors, the majority agree that the game's visuals are beautiful and captivating, successfully blending futuristic and natural elements for a visually striking experience.

Critics rave about Stray's sound design and music, praising the captivating soundtrack that enhances the game's atmosphere and mood. The immersive sound effects, including cat noises and robot sounds, are commended for creating tension and enhancing the experience of being a cat. While some reviewers had minor criticisms, the overall consensus is overwhelmingly positive, with the majority highlighting the effectiveness of the audio in Stray.

Critics have mixed feelings about the voice acting in Stray. Some praise the unique robot dialogues, while others criticize the lack of voice acting and dialogue options. Despite differing opinions, the absence of voice acting adds to the game's charm and fits well with its alien world. The use of text dialogue, bleep and bloop sound effects, and archaic language understood through a drone companion enhance the overall experience.

Stray impresses critics with stunning visuals and smooth gameplay on PS5 and Xbox Series X, despite minor technical issues like frame rate drops and animation glitches. Overall, the game delivers a visually appealing experience with stable performance, though some platforms face specific challenges like cat movement issues on PS5 and animation hiccups on Xbox Series X.

Critics' opinions on Stray's replay value vary. Some criticize its limited replayability due to short duration and lack of challenging collectibles, while others praise optional quests and collectibles for adding value. Overall, the game's short length and repetitive gameplay are seen as drawbacks, but its emotional storytelling and unique experience still make it enjoyable for many critics.