Best Games Similar To Stray

Key Takeaways

• Check out these various titles that capture the puzzle exploration aspects of Stray or just have an adorable animal protagonist as well!
• Tunic offers a more action-packed experience than Stray, but still shares the same spirit of adventure and features a charming fox protagonist, making it a great game for those who enjoyed Stray.
• Okami may not be similar to Stray in gameplay or setting, but it captures the magic of controlling an animal in a video game and offers visually distinct locations, making it a must-play for animal-loving gamers.

There have been so many great cats throughout video game history. If we’re talking famous cats in video games, we’re confident your mind wanders to Big The Cat and those cats in Ghostwire: Tokyo that are constantly complaining. You know, truly iconic cats.

Well, fortunately, Stray is here to fill the catless void with an apawable — is that a good pun? — protagonist. However, if you’ve already beaten the game, then you’re likely looking for your next feline fix. Don’t worry, we’ve got your back. While they may not all feature a cat, these games are great if you love Stray.

Updated November 27, 2024 by Aydan Sattler: There’s a reason cat videos dominate the internet – cats are irresistibly adorable, endlessly charismatic, and perfectly balance aloof independence with affectionate charm. As the saying goes, the ancient Egyptians worshiped cats, and cats have never forgotten it. That’s exactly why these new game entries are perfect for fans of Stray: they capture everything we love about our feline friends.

14 Cat And The Ghostly Road

• Released: February 27, 2020
• Platform: Windows
• Genre: Point-and-Click Adventure

In Cat and the Ghostly Road, you take control of Yang, a white cat rescued from peril by a kindhearted painter. When supernatural forces steal the painter’s soul, it falls to Yang to save him. To do so, you’ll venture into the hauntingly beautiful world of ghosts, accessed through the painter’s own masterpieces.

Along your journey, you’ll encounter mythical beings like dragons, gods, and mischievous youkai. Though brief, the story leaves a lasting impression, weaving stunning visuals with intriguing puzzles to create an unforgettable experience.

13 Gibbous – A Cthulhu Adventure

• Released: August 7, 2019
• Platform: Windows, macOS, Linus, Nintendo Switch
• Genre: Point-and-Click Adventure

Buzz is an ordinary college student juggling schoolwork and a job at Darkmouth’s library, where life seems pretty mundane, aside from a sudden surge in cult activity around town. That all changes when he witnesses Don R. Ketype, a Private Investigator, being kidnapped, unwittingly acquires the Necronomicon, and accidentally casts a spell on his cat, Kitteh, giving her the ability to talk.

What starts as a simple mission to undo the unintended magic quickly spirals into a world-saving adventure. Buzz and Kitteh must team up, recruiting an eclectic group of allies to unravel the dark mysteries threatening their town. You take control of Buzz, Kitteh, and their friends to overcome challenges and progress the story. Kitteh’s special feline talents often save the day… when she feels like it. After all, she’s still a cat, with all the sass and independence that entails.

Gibbous’ story ends on a cliffhanger, and unfortunately, there is no news about a sequel. However, the game is still well worth playing.

12 The Purring Quest

• Released: November 12, 2015
• Platform: Windows
• Genre: Platformer

The Purring Quest is a charming, bite-sized platformer where you take control of Kimchi, a devoted cat on a heartfelt mission to reunite with its elderly human. After a tragic loss, Kimchi’s human struggles with memory loss, and it’s up to this determined feline to help him reconnect with reality.

Each level offers a final challenge, with only one being a traditional boss fight. This variety keeps the gameplay dynamic and engaging.

As you journey through beautifully crafted levels, you’ll encounter quirky challenges like avoiding territorial dogs and dodging bird droppings, all while meeting iconic internet-famous cats along the way. The Purring Quest is a wonderful mix of humor and heartfelt moments, all in the small body of a determined cat.

11 Spirit Of The North

Spirit of the North is a third-person adventure game that seems absolutely purrfect for those who enjoyed Stray. You’ll take on the role of a fox and traverse the game’s gorgeous landscapes inspired by Iceland. Before you ask, no, this isn’t Death Stranding but with a fox. Don’t worry; you won’t be stumbling across cliffs trying to deliver pizza.

Spirit of the North is entirely devoid of any dialogue or narration. Of course, that doesn’t mean it isn’t filled with mystery and intrigue. You’ll uncover the secrets of its world through an emotionally gripping journey all tied together by unbelievably stunning visuals. Suffice to say, if you enjoyed the puzzle exploration aspects of Stray — and well, the whole ‘it’s a game about an animal’ thing — then you’ll love Spirit of the North.

10 Tunic

While the little indie gem that is Tunic offers a lot more action than Stray, they do share the same spirit of adventure. Anyone who plays this game will immediately get an unmistakable Zelda vibe, something that you’ll feel is a wonderful thing.

You control a cute little fox as you adventure around trying to save the day as you uncover the story of the world. If you are a much more traditional gamer and like games like Stray, this is a great game for you to try.

9 Okami

Okami may not be about cats. It may not be set in a cyberpunk world full of robots. It may not be even remotely similar to Stray in any way, shape or form. However, if you love games about animals, and you’re fond of exploration in visually distinct locations – which surely you must be if you’ve played Stray – then Okami is absolutely for you.

Okami is far more action-oriented and features more open levels than Stray. However, the core gameplay of controlling a more than capable animal and maneuvering it around a hostile environment is always present. Okami may differ from Stray in a lot of ways, but it does manage to capture the magic of controlling an animal in a video game. Not since Nintendogs have video game animals seemed so cute.

8 Dog’s Life

One of Stray’s best features is the level of realism and detail present in its feline protagonist. If that was the aspect you gravitated towards the most, then perhaps you should hop on board the Dog’s Life bandwagon. You’re in for a real treat. Dog’s Life is a seminal PlayStation 2 game that has been sorely underappreciated since its launch back in 2003. It’s fair to say that without Dog’s Life, there would be no Stray.

You control Jake, a ne’er-do-well doggo with a penchant for messing up people’s days. Imagine Untitled Goose Game but with a dog and PlayStation 2 visuals. Dog’s Life is actually quite an impressive game from a technical standpoint, boasting decently sized levels to explore and a wide range of mini-games to enjoy. Sure, Dog’s Life isn’t as solemn or story-packed as Stray is. But it does let you poo on the floor. And there’s a minigame entirely dedicated to a pissing contest. So, do with that information what you will.

7 Biomutant

If you’re looking for a game with a lot of intense action while still wanting to control an animal, Biomutant is the soulslike game you might be missing out on. If you’re familiar with any soulslikes, you’ll already know what to do in this fascinating adventure.

You get to create your own character before venturing out into an open world to discover an intriguing story. The gameplay may be a bit more demanding than some others if you’re a casual gamer, but if you love a stiff challenge, it’s hard to go wrong with this game.

6 Untitled Goose Game

If you loved what Stray did but felt like you needed a lot more mischief, look no further than Untitled Goose Game. It’s a game so simplistic and yet so excellent that it doesn’t need any kind of creative title.

You go around as the titular goose, absolutely wreaking havoc on a village full of people. While that may sound a bit mean-spirited at first, five minutes of playing will have you laughing out loud as you solve all the little goose puzzles around town.

5 Encodya

While cyberpunk worlds are becoming increasingly popular, there are few that match Stray’s tone exactly. The robot-filled world of Stray is simultaneously beautiful and desolate, a trait of the cyberpunk genre and one often overlooked. Sure, you could play Cyberpunk 2077, but that wouldn’t quite capture the same vibes. Fortunately, Encodya, the critically acclaimed point-and-click adventure game, is here to offer you an engrossing world akin to Stray’s.

Encodya follows the story of SAM-53, a large robot that wants nothing more than to protect its owner, a nine-year-old girl named Tina. You’ll explore Neo Berlin, a destitute cyberpunk city filled with robots, as you embark on a heartfelt emotional journey that will almost certainly make you cry. Encodya absolutely nails the same tone as Stray and is perfect for those looking for a similar setting and vibe.

4 Catlateral Damage: Remeowstered

• Released: September 15, 2021
• Platform: Windows, Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox Series XIS
• Genre: Action, Simulator

There are too few video games that let you play as a cat. Sure, there are a handful that let you wander around as our seemingly endlessly energized yet simultaneously sleepy feline friends. However, for the most part, they’re in stark supply. Fortunately, Catlateral Damage: Remeowstered, a game with a name so punny it’s quite literally purrfect – yes, we know we’ve used it before, don’t be so catty – is here to save the day.

In Catlateral Damage: Remeowstered, you take on the role of a cat, and it’s your job — nay, duty — to destroy as much stuff as you can. You’ll rampage through procedurally generated houses, racking up points by causing an undeniably satisfying amount of chaos. Catlateral Damage: Remeowstered is enjoyable because of the simple pleasures it offers. But first, you must embrace your inner cat.

3 Octodad: Dadliest Catch

If something goofy is what you’re craving, Octodad: Dadliest Catch is one of the best games you could give a try. It essentially boils down to you controlling an octopus who has disguised himself as an adult man.

It’s your job to navigate around various situations without raising suspicion about the fact that Octodad is in fact an octopus. It’s as silly as it sounds in the best way possible and provides a relaxing but interesting challenge from start to finish for anyone who’s a fan of unique gaming experiences.

2 Ghost Of A Tale

• Released: March 13, 2018
• Platforms: Windows, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Amazon Luna
• Genre: RPG

Outside of Warrior Cats, house cats aren’t typically known to be fighters. Sure, they’ll give you a good scratch – and then a head nuzzle because they’re such adorable beings – if you so much as encroach on their side of the couch. But for the most part, you wouldn’t look at our whiskered friends and think “Oh yeah, they’d knock me out”. This is largely why you do a whole load of stealthing in Stray. If that was a component that you enjoyed, then you’d like a similar animal-themed stealth game named Ghost of a Tale.

There’s one huge cat-veat though. Ghost of a Tale is about a mouse, a cat’s sworn archnemesis. However, if your cat-like instincts have faded since playing Stray, then you shouldn’t really have a problem. Ghost of a Tale is an incredible game filled with fun stealth mechanics, a genuinely amazing world to explore, and rich lore to uncover. It’s as gorgeous and vibrant as it is deeply enjoyable and well worth giving a go if you’re even remotely a fan of Stray.

1 Little Kitty, Big City

In Little Kitty, Big City, you step into the paws of an adventurous kitty on a mission to find your way back home. As you traverse the sprawling city, you’ll make new friends, solve clever puzzles, and uncover hidden mysteries, all while getting closer to reclaiming your cozy patch of sun.

Much like Stray, the game lets you fully embrace life as a cat. You can pounce on unsuspecting birds, dodge water at all costs, knock objects off ledges with feline finesse, and discover the coziest boxes to curl up in. It’s a charming and whimsical journey that captures the essence of being a curious kitty in a bustling urban world.