STRAY - The Story Explained

Stray tells the story of a stray cat lost in an underground cyberpunk city, full of robots known as companions. But what happened to the humans that first built this city and created it's robot inhabitants? Can we help the cat and their new AI companion B-12 return to the surface? In this episode of horror games explained we take a look at the story and ending of stray. This is the story of Stray explained.
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[@silvally5464]

i like the idea where a dystopian world ruled by Robots didnt have a robots rebelled and killed all humans. in fact it seems many of the robots are somewhat sad the humans are gone

[@farrela3620]

It is quite a breath of fresh air to see a robotic-human dystopian story with no robotic genocide involved

[@macdieter23558]

All the people died because a plague came and killed them all. If you play the game until the end, you find out that that whole "world" exists in something like a round bunker. At the very end the cover is removed and the light of day makes you see the whole thing. Also there is an upper town and a lower town. The uptown people dumped all their waste into the downtown, they had not planned a real waste management! Then they invented bacteria who should have eaten all the waste. By now, scientists work on bacteria who should eat plastic waste. How could this go wrong????? These bacteria evolved into the zurgs which even were able to eat metal. The humans died from a plague which resulted from the waste problem (like the plague in the 14th century which evolved from rat fleas), and the whole complex went into a lockdown. The system was planned in a way that only a human could end the lockdown. Bad luck that all humans were extinct in that city! If you really play the game, you know that the robots were called "companions". A companion should at least mimick feelings to make a human feel comfortable. So the humans gave them an artifical intelligence - which evolved over the years. Shit, I really should play that game!

[@margarethmichelina5146]

And it still has some society class too. And just like society, the robots in Midtown a.k.a the upper class society are corrupted and like to discriminate. Meanwhile, the robots in AntVillage and The Slums are nice and lived in harmonious way even though they're not rich.

[@rizalina9418]

@@margarethmichelina5146 I like to believe that this is also why the Companions by the Control Room was not very human like; because the humans there didn't treat them nicely. They were actually just treated like slaves, where the humans who lived in the Slums treated their companions more like actual friends and family. There's also the theory that the humans in the Control Room might have fled the city the moment they realized that there was no hope for the city, but probably dying in the process since they didn't come back to let the remaining humans out. And that is also why the companions up there aren't human-like, cus they had way less contact with humans in general.

[@IsaiahRichards692]

Bro, Love, Death & Robots and Murder Drones did the same thing. Humanity destroying itself only for our homes to be usurped by our robotic servants is becoming one of the most mainstream apocalypse scenarios since zombies and mutant beast takeovers.

[@dia666]

Robots will never be perfect because they are made by imperfect beings. This game really knew how to portrait that.

[@janarcher1619]

❤❤❤❤

[@justpassingbye]

My own theory is that those companion with feeling are humans who upload themself to companions. As we find some coffin that similar to the scientist in antvillage. And just like our B12, their memory is corrupted but they choose to livw on their society so they dont remember. While the original conpanions can be see on the control room

[@dia666]

@@justpassingbye good theory! I believe somting similar, like the robots in the control room were probably the last ones created by humans. When they died the robots just performed there's tasks like before on autopilot and they were isolated from humans, since the other room needs a human to accessed it, they didn't saw or received the love that the other robots in the slums or midtown got. They didn't understand the feelings because they were isolated from humans. And on the part with love reviving, I believe that since death was becoming common, families and people who death took their family away had turned to the robots for confort and love who became there only family until or they died too or like you said put there memories inside the robots. That is an idea since the the scientist who was in the B-12 looked like it wanted to put themselves in the companion first but it didn't go according to the plan.

[@margarethmichelina5146]

The robots in Control Room are just like regular robots, very monotone and just do the tasks while the robots inside the world have more emotions and personalities. I assumed the robots inside the world just like B-12, used to be humans and their concious transferred to the robot. Hence why those robots act like humans.

[@noyoucantnoicantnowecantsostop]

Wait so by implying that logic, does that mean any God/dess regardless of affiliation, origin, or religion are an imperfect being as well?

[@ROMANTIKILLER2]

I really like how the studio could probably have got away with releasing essentially a cat simulator and use the cute factor as a selling point, but instead developed such a fascinating albeit bleak lore for an immersive postapocalyptic cyberpunk world.

[@hieioni3354]

It's Nier: Automata, but with cats and no hack and slash.

[@margarethmichelina5146]

Yeah, the studio kinda trick us by telling us: "So, you're playing as a cat and you're in steampunk world." But deep down, there's a big lore on it.

[@timelord2024]

@@margarethmichelina5146 isn't it consider a Cyberpunk world ?

[@j-skullz]

This game released just a couple months after I lost my cat, and the line 'you were my friend, the very best I could've asked for. thank you' really hit different

[@Jloffy]

Rip

[@damniwow8031]

thanks crying again

[@Uzi-Doorman_2024]

Oh my god my cat ran away and the game also came out a few months after that, and at this line i had to cry because it reminded me of my cat 😢 I can understand you really much...

[@fraymond3]

Lost mine last November, (

[@CrystalKing-2023]

I'm sorry for the loss of your cat. I hope that (he/She?) Isn't ever forgotten.

[@kurumachikuroe442]

If you listen closely, after Orange falls you can hear the rest of the family meowing far above, looking for Orange

[@margarethmichelina5146]

I also heard that too in the sewer. I thought the game is glitching because the cat's mouth doesn't move when he's Meowing. But when I press the button for Meow, his Meow sounds different and the Meows are echoing through the sewers.

[@stopcontact4005]

yeah i heard that too ,but its sad that we never see him return to his friends or family

[@margarethmichelina5146]

@@stopcontact4005 Maybe he will at The Sequel or DLC

[@vincentkrych2158]

@@stopcontact4005 Orange more likely returned home. After all, the ending of orange leaving the city.. The city home from the start is only a short distance away

[@SepsTArdJohn212]

That part really break my soul, man 😭

[@MrElijahIV]

Mike: "helping break him free Stealthfully and sneaky." The Cat: *Instantly gets caught and runs for dear life.* 18:57

[@TL_7Gaming]

The irony. :skull:

[@thatanimegirlwiththecape4807]

The cat: screw this man speaking above my adventure, ill do things my own way

[@Code_Lune]

@@thatanimegirlwiththecape4807 Cats really don’t give a crap. Even if it’s someone who they aren’t aware of.

[@johnremizeztomilloso158]

@@TL_7Gaming Do ya played Skullgirls before?

[@TL_7Gaming]

@@johnremizeztomilloso158 I have no idea what it is.

[@oscarvillegas1311]

What I really appreciated from the game was how they represented sentience. In the Slums, all robots have sentience, and the more you progress and the higher you go, the less sentience the robots have. At the top, the robots have no sentience. Pretty eerie if you ask me.

[@magnusm4]

But the robots on the higher level are more rebellious and thinking. Annoyed by the surveillance. While in the slums most are pretty much ok with sitting around. They're more active the higher you go, it's only the tyrannical force that's linear and the top robots with simple tasks.

[@daefaron]

@@magnusm4 There is also the fact of what they had available. The robots in the slums had much less available to do/have then the ones in mid-town.

[@margarethmichelina5146]

The word Stray actually has a lot of meanings for this game: 1. The protagonist is a literal Stray Cat 2. The Robots are the Stray that left by humans and they had no idea what to do to survive due to Zurks and also lack of lights 3. The world of this game that got abandoned by plague which killed the humans

[@victoriab7148]

That and also the protagonist got separated from their cat family, also straying away

[@TheMindElectricAddict]

The city is inspired in a abandoned city in real life!

[@ventrexia]

@@TheMindElectricAddict do you know which one?

[@TheMindElectricAddict]

@@ventrexia i forgot

[@margarethmichelina5146]

@@ventrexia A place named Kowloon Walled City in Hong Kong which is the inspiration of the robot city on this game

[@Kiku91]

I like the idea that B12 is still “alive” in the network. The scene where they are overriding the final security lock on the work bench is very similar to the scene where they were initially uploaded into the drone body. It makes sense that rather than risking shutting down while working, they transferred their memory into the machine before the drone gave out and finished the protocol internally. That does give light that there could be a return to the character if there was a sequel.

[@vhyez]

or maybe a dlc

[@unknownchoujin1436]

I didn't know he might still be alive. I almost broke down crying when it seemed like he died.

[@anickbounce1335]

I also thought something maybe there are other bunkers because that bunker is sealed city 99

[@Kiku91]

@@anickbounce1335 oh definitely, but whether they have humans or just companions is debatable. In the high town the tag line was “the safest walled city” could be good advertisement or that, city 99 was more efficient than the others….but city 99 failed to keep the humans alive…and if THAT was the most “safe” then…welll….🤷

[@anickbounce1335]

@@Kiku91 but what if there are other bunkers WITHOUT the virus???

[@Labyrinth_Props]

I’ve realised just how sus Clementine’s note was. I thought it was pretty weird that Blazer’s name was written when Clem said she didn’t know the guy’s name earlier in the game. Looking back knowing that Blazer is a snitch, it’s even more sus.

[@farrela3620]

That's some nice little detail. Didn't think that through on first playthrough

[@matthewkendall8592]

Also if you talk to the guy hanging out with Blazer in the night club, he shows admiration towards the security robots. I knew something was up then

[@margarethmichelina5146]

Also, also, we never see him again after we got the battery. And when we go back to Clementine's apartment, the cops are there along with the Sentinels. Blazer must leave us and work along with The Neco Corp. To kidnap Clementine. It would be better if we have a DLC when we play as Clementine to get revenge to Blazer because he's nowhere in the ending

[@Iron-Bridge]

@@margarethmichelina5146 Yeah. Would have liked to get back at Blazer. Hopefully there's a resolution in a sequel.

[@farrela3620]

@@margarethmichelina5146 I personally don't think a revenge story would fit in the Stray story, be it as clam or the cat. As B12 is now the current computer mainframe, blazer would definitely pay for what he's done

[@rancholotl3384]

I literally cried when I saw B-12 "die". But now, I know that he's fine, just inside the confines of a digital world once again.

[@margarethmichelina5146]

And the way the cat meows sounded like he's crying when sees B-12 died.

[@dibble1331]

honestly considering how b-12 talks about how awful it was, he’s probably not having a very good time

[@am-it1cc]

This game hit me hard bc the orange cat looks so much like my cat Kief that I had to say goodbye to a few months back, so this was like his final adventure for me. Definitely teard up at the end bc when the cat looked back at the city, it felt like my kief looking at me and saying goodbye. Love you buddy, miss you everyday.

[@hiddenhistory7662]

I lost my orange cat last May. I had him for 16 years, so he lived a full life, but I miss him every day.

[@am-it1cc]

@@hiddenhistory7662 shmoke one for the homies we've lost 🤟🏼😔

[@fraymond3]

Last November for me.

[@yummy.crayon]

Hey, this game was kief's way of having one last adventure with you. Just like how the terminal was flashing behind Kitty "as if someone familiar was living through the network." @23:18

[@am-it1cc]

@@yummy.crayon you got me tearin’ up @ work now 😭

[@mmalinoff5290]

This is such a creative, unique way of telling the dystopian world filled with robots story. The character designs and the personalities and relationships the robots have developed is a very fascinating story. I’m really glad that you played through it.

[@andreimillares7843]

Yeah, but Superhorrorbro forgot about his promise to upload a video about the story of Dark Deception Chapter 2 and the story of Mad Father.

[@CLONE._MP4]

@@andreimillares7843 cool?

[@solybossjeck5477]

O to meow

[@sm0rie]

This game reminds me a lot of the love,death, and robots series. They have episodes about cats surviving the demise of huimanity and lving among robots. Super interesting

[@eldritchcupcakes3195]

As well as making it not “evil robots kill humans and hate them” story. They still remember and care for us as a species as their ancestors

[@baebaeschoccymilk]

Fun fact: the cat is blinking slowly at the end is actually means that the cat is trusting/loving us, the player (i couldnt remember the meaning of the slow blink, but the closest is the cat is trusting you) Edit: soooo someone in the comment kindly correct me that the meaning of the slow blink is actually thank you :D

[@margarethmichelina5146]

The cat is breaking the 4th wall, I'm not a cat owner myself but I read in the comments in different video, that's the way the cat said "I love you" or "Thank You"

[@baebaeschoccymilk]

@@margarethmichelina5146 YESS IT WAS THE MEANING OH MY GOD THANK YOU FOR REMINDING MEE

[@lettuce6321]

The slow blinking is called “kitten kiss” which is adorable!

[@zaya5001]

Oh come on! I just stopped crying...!

[@Kushufy]

Neither of those things is true, they're just another example of pet owners believing what will make them feel better. 🙄 In reality what it means is "let us relax". Cats will do it towards the ones in their social circle when they're not hungry or energized, generally when they want to be groomed or go to sleep. They're not "showing love" or "thanking" anyone, it's just signalling the friends in the vicinity that they want a relaxed environment without others running around and doing things. By extension this does mean they trust you, but it's not the point of the gesture.

[@paigemalloy4276]

I like to think B-12 knew that it would still be trapped in the system, but was worried that the cat would stay in the buried city with him. He lied and said he was done for, so the cat would move on and find it's family out in the Outside World.

[@shutupandsmile]

The moment when Stray breaks the 4th wall to slow blink at the player breaks my heart in the best way. I love you too little outsider! ♥️

[@zopiranha3871]

I love the fact that the city we were in was the the 99th, meaning there's still hope humans are alive. Or more interesting things. Who knows what happend in those closed off cities.

[@Dawnelldo2]

I hope the other humans survived and have been working to repair the damage on Earth.

[@baimhakani]

Betting that there is definitely social class discrimination

[@indecisivewolf5620]

That's why I'm hoping for a sequel or spinoff. With there being plenty of other cities out there as well as an "outside" that we know isn't an unlivable wasteland, there are still many stories that can be told in this world.

[@Melgaer]

@@Dawnelldo2 there is a better hope for Earth without humans.

[@margarethmichelina5146]

And to think about it, when B-12 died it was the last thing that a human ever interract with an animal. B-12 was the last human whose concious go through a robot. But at the same time, I kinda confused, if the plague kill the humans or any living being, how did the cats survive?

[@randomaussieguy5206]

I loved playing this game it has such a good atmosphere even though it’s not a horror game I’m glad you reviewed it

[@ashdragonton3939]

I agree... except have you seen those zurks I think they qualify to make this a horror game- especially the hivemind.

[@randomaussieguy5206]

Yea good point I see how you would see it like that and I agree the zurks not so much but yes absolutely the hivemind gave me the chills

[@janarcher1619]

❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@randomaussieguy5206]

@@janarcher1619 ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@aaronsingh2369]

The concept of the game is so unique, now I'm waiting for part 2 of the game to come

[@Jonas-ej7id]

The most surprising aspect of this game to me was how well they were able to do the world building and lore in just a few hours. Definitely needs a dlc or a sequel to explore the lore.

[@goddess_fireash1911]

At the end it says it is the walled city 99. I wonder what is going on in the other cities!?

[@canton18]

@@goddess_fireash1911yoooo that’s crazy to think about

[@medicgaming7476]

@@goddess_fireash1911yeah that would be interesting, imagine the next game we find the cat family and find other walled cities to explore and free.

[@paulogomes8603]

I have thought a lot about how the robots have evolved when the ones in the Hightown station havent and I think its actually because of B-12, he was in the network for so long that he begun to influence it and through it the robots, which started their evolution. He couldnt do anything for the Hightown robots because he couldnt access that part of the system, which would make sense because their overlords wouldnt want them to hack their way out.

[@Raiethstar]

Hilariously it’s more likely the bacteria formed a symbiotic relationship with some sort of mite (judging by its looks). Bacteria don’t really become multicellular without millions of years and a good reason (no competition). Whereas a bacterial/mite symbiotic relationship makes a lot a sense. The mite like animal can travel farther and the bacteria can break down anything. It also wouldn’t take as long.

[@martaramoon17]

To me they look like ticks and when they jump on the cat the seem to get bigger like a tick does when feeding

[@StarParticleShade]

According to one of the signs in the third city has the number of days humans have been gone, and it translates to 6 million years, so I think your theory here is fantastic.

[@farrela3620]

@@StarParticleShade What 3rd city? there's only 2 and then the control room

[@maxedoutsociety]

@@farrela3620 slums, ant village, midtown, then the control room

[@StarParticleShade]

@@farrela3620 ....But... there are three...? The Slums Ant Village Midtown ??? What did I get wrong here?

[@lancesrr4124]

I think the Zurks have a Weakness to UV light since they've never come in contact with it as in the end of the game when the roof is opened the Zurks die it's not bright light it's UV light if it was bright light the Zurks would die to your flashlight the light Doc's invention puts out is similar to that of a black light.

[@margarethmichelina5146]

That's why the Zurks are inhabitant in sewers and in the closed building. That makes sense.

[@cutestcreeper569]

Everyone who watched gameplay videos know that already.

[@sailorswifty836]

When I heard they don't like Bright Lights, i tried to kill some with my flashlight before getting the UV light from Doc

[@olive3256]

The game said that. They are bacteria-derived lifeforms.

[@ceu160193]

Your flashlight isn't bright enough to harm them. You need either UV light, or very strong regular light.

[@nabihahurzuk7255]

The cat is such a good friend he never forgets to pick up b-12 when his system goes down at times,hes a friend that will never be forgotten sad that b-12 died tho

[@toriless]

I find it interesting it feels the needs to sleep with it after B-12 has left thus it is not doing it for B-12 but for itself. Sort of why humans have funerals, it is not for the dead.

[@roeland1205]

I like the ending, it is very catlike. The cat walks away with seemingly no notion or what just had happend, just like a real cat. The game makes you as a player project your human emotions. It really is a work of art.

[@mrdee2454]

I completed this with 95% collectables. Still my understanding of the plot is vague. This exact video I need

[@rotinasemroteiro]

This game was a very positive surprise, as I hadn't seen anything about it. Initially I thought it would be a simulator and that made the story surprise me even more. Theories explaining the reasons for the creation of the city have become my new favorite subject! I would love a sequel exploring the outside and, maybe, finding humans.

[@ButterscotchMcBean1995]

Same here.

[@drawnwithlove3499]

I'd love to see how the robots adapted to living in the Outside! Maybe the new conflict could be some robots not wanting to live in the Outside and believing they should all stay underground?

[@hieioni3354]

​@@drawnwithlove3499 First we need a DLC where the cat finally finds its pack and reunites with Clementine. The sequel should feature a dog instead.

[@toriless]

... or at least another city, maybe that is where B-12 went.

[@VivianaSilverback]

@@hieioni3354 No it shouldn't. Dogs are already used everywhere in every type of media. We're tired of it. We need more cat centered media. If you dislike the damn game just for feauturing a cat over a dog you're free to leave

[@Crekification]

there's so many layers to this game that I love. so much lore to be explored. I honestly loved my play through, my only issue was every chapter ended the same way as whatever companion you found had to do the "go on without me" cliche I understood momos cuz he had to hold the door open, and balcazar cuz he didn't really have a body, but Clementine easily could of made it to the sub way with the cat and b12 at the end

[@Croftice1]

She had to distract the Sentinels long enough for the cat to succeed. Sure, she could just hop in the station with the cat, but the Sentinels would find that stolen "car" from the prison and alert nearby Peacekeepers to open the fence door to the station, eventually catch our heroes. See distraction does exist and it's in the game for a reason. The Sentinels were on your trail, you'd never managed to reactivate the subway in time to escape them (with all the time the power up sequence took). The city opening scene also shows Clementine being arrested by the two Sentinels, before they shut down. That means they eventually caught her. She was acting as a bait to give the cat just enough time.

[@Crekification]

@@Croftice1 I would be ok with that explanation if she wasn't shown when the roof is open to only being chased by regular cops. Idk just seemed like she could of just closed the door behind her and they would of been ok

[@ZeranZeran]

Why does this have more heartwarming and emotional story than most AAA leading games? Man, that was beautiful.

[@Croftice1]

Unlike big AAA companies, that may have several departments working on a game, but communicating on a smaller scale with each other. A smaller studio has a bigger chance that these people know each other and interact on more personal levels. Communication is mostly the key. Bluetwelve is an indie studio, a smal group of people, who work together, talk together, overly interact on many levels. That seems to be the magic behind this game. They simply dedicate themselves to the smalest details and put enough effort into each aspect of the game.

[@Pendinci]

I love this story soo much. You’d think that it’s alll about the cat but it’s not!

[@randomgunenthusiast4658]

The cat is the main character

[@Bonesee]

@@randomgunenthusiast4658 and B-12

[@Pendinci]

@@randomgunenthusiast4658 I know, thats the point. Most games where you play as an animal are allll about that animal. But this one isn’t, which surprised me and made me happy. :)

[@randomgunenthusiast4658]

@@Pendinci are you sure about that?

[@Pendinci]

@@randomgunenthusiast4658 Yep! I’m very sure about what I said. I wouldn’t say it if I wasn’t!

[@cheeto8396]

Stray is a very cinematic game

[@sdowxVNWO]

the ending tells everyone that there a second chapter

[@SavvyBigdaddySav]

@@sdowxVNWO I'll drink to that.

[@birbingtonxxvi8378]

@@sdowxVNWO yay

[@Bos_Meong]

with huge success of the game theres nuge chance there will be stray 2, bigger and better

[@A-0-_-0-A]

I agree

[@ari1758]

I just finished the game today and it left me in tears. I loved it. I hope it gets a sequel.

[@goddess_fireash1911]

At the end it says it is walled city 99. We just might!! I wonder what is going on in the other cities

[@monio_]

I hope that we will get "Chapter 2" or "Stray: Reunited" dlc It would be amazing to play as the family of cats, and eventually find b12 again

[@arshu_parshu1999]

You do know that chapter 2 was literally at the start of the game

[@CataritoPurrito]

@@arshu_parshu1999 he means like a second game.

[@TheMindElectricAddict]

Yeah

[@daphangler]

my dlc prediction is Stray: New World

[@ethanwinters3281]

18:56 "Stealthfully sneaking like only a cat can" *Meanwhile the cat is spotted and is running for it's life*

[@aymanplaygames367]

xD

[@milomoli2830]

That's literally me in wotb when a Churchill VII or KB-2 (KV-2) spotted me and me running for my life

[@navaneethsivan5861]

Stray is a absolute masterpiece ✨️

[@ColyBaloneyCLBL]

It is !

[@milomoli2830]

Yeah but only has 10 hours of playtime meaning the player wanting another game like stray 2

[@giovannaharada4330]

Stray Goty 2022💞💞💞💞

[@duraburr3612]

stray has one of the best purrtagonists in game history.

[@DaveVelo1]

The story ends too soon. It needs a follow up game where Stray reunites with his family, Clementine and other robot companions. They team up to find out more about what happened to the humans.

[@Rnerdy197]

That's oftenly how games like that are don't answer everything and have a short story

[@aprilanimates2518]

Petition to turn Stray into a book series: Sign here

[@DarkNight-ik2qy]

I’d read that

[@SavvyBigdaddySav]

I sign

[@TehDJGoofy]

Let’s get this series, here you go!

[@eeveesden1534]

✍️

[@EvripidouM]

Movie

[@neofulcrum5013]

Some of the themes of stray seems to be striving for a better world and looking to the future.

[@xobsessedx1]

I really hope they make a sequel to stay even if it is a short game where the cat makes it's way back to its friends

[@cvx5832]

I have a thought, when b12 is killed maybe he didn’t die, but it did hurt to get transferred back into the network that’s how b12 opened the vault hatch also explaining the flickering at the end cutscene. Also great video, keep it up!

[@superbendy7303]

Scene Selection 0:00 - Intro 0:51 - Part 1: A lost cat, in a lost city 3:14 - Part 2: B-12 5:08 - Part 3: How robots inherited the Earth 7:35 - Part 4: The Outsiders 9:50 - Part 5: The Zurk 12:52 - Part 6: A ghost in the machine 15:25 - Part 7: Clementine's plan 19:45 - Part 8: The chilling truth 23:27 - Outro

[@G4bislifeless]

Thanks!

[@superbendy7303]

You're welcome! Still working progress.

[@PC_noobOfficial]

Thank you this helps (no this is not sarcasm)

[@valecraft4647]

@@PC_noobOfficial are you sure about that ?

[@PC_noobOfficial]

@@valecraft4647 yes I'm sure it's not sarcasm I realized it kinda sounded like it when I read it so that's why I added that to the end

[@alwaysplotting2096]

The robots weren't the only ones who evolved. Looks like cats got an upgrade as well.

[@parisheidi3119]

The cat can read!!!

[@toriless]

@@parisheidi3119 Not my cats, they can understand language and that certain sounds have meaning. One of my cats thinks his other name is cute.

[@TheMindElectricAddict]

I think youe mixed the things-

[@pennywang6461]

My theory is maybe some robot had evolved to be humanlike, but there’re also some are like b12, which used to be human, transfered their consciousness into a robot body to keep on. I think the outsiders, especially Doc and his son, used to be humans too. Afterall the transferring pods seems to be mass produced, and the case of the scientist not only was one failed case, but he was a loner, isolated in the dead city thus he was trapped in the system without any help, so anything that b12 thought about the situation back when he was human might not 100% correct. The truth may was everybody in the dead city died of plague, except the scientist. In upper towns they had better living environments, enough for them to waited for the pods and purchased it. And not every transferring case failed, even if some of them failed, there’re still someone who was there to make it success at last. However the top priority was still having a healthy living body so people at the top may had fled away a long time ago

[@reeceandben4876]

I was looking for this comment. The lack of bones anywhere was what got me. Where were all the bones? Bodies? Nothing. I get that it's likely 7 million years have passed, but still, I feel like the areas without zurg influence would still have human remains scattered about.

[@VivianaSilverback]

@@reeceandben4876 It's been 1000 years or so (many robots claim to be 300+) human bones are already decomposed in 50 years or so. Doubt they could last for 300, with or without zurks.

[@emiiaiai]

my favorite small little detail before we find b-12 you can meow at the camera and the camera will like nod it’s js so cute

[@RodAnimations38]

My question is why is this cat so smart. I know cats do have their own intelligence but this cat seems to be more intelligent than the average kitty cat. I think that cats might be evolving into more intelligent creatures here. Just a theory.

[@RemnantSoul]

As B12 could translate the companions. It's left to interpretation that B12 could legitimately communicate with the Cat as in game the Cat responds to B12 and any translations he makes from the companions.

[@RodAnimations38]

@@RemnantSoul I have thought about that too. Kinda like that it’s left up to interpretation.

[@liv.001]

im thinking that if robots could “evolve” than cats could evolve by understanding english.

[@RodAnimations38]

@@liv.001 same here

[@cutestcreeper569]

I heard a real life theory that cats understand humans perfectly, but it's just that they don't care.

[@MsGarnet12]

I think that the story has such a deep lore to it, so many secrets, do you plan to make a lore video maybe? I absolutely love your lore videos, i would love to hear your thoughts about Stray ☺️

[@ryssuesanz1660]

The most amazing thing about this game is that the developers managed to create a protagonist that no one can hate. Stonks

[@tehchar9000]

mike:"stelthily sneaking like oly a cat can" also mike: *not being stealthy at all and running directly into multiple drones sightlines and running for his life *

[@mishi9867]

Aside from our adorbs protagonist, the story of this game is really good! I enjoyed watching the gameplay.

[@ImmortalAbsol]

I'd like to see what the Outsiders do now the city is open, and if the actual assistant of the scientist could be repaired and be of any help.

[@margarethmichelina5146]

I also want to see a DLC of the reunion of Momo, Btalzar and Clementine as the group of the robots who want to see Outside world very much. The Zurks are dead, the Sentinels are disconnected. They can reunite again as group of friends. The same happen with the cat who can meet his family again in Outside world. If we can help Doc and Seamus to reunite? Why can't we help them too?

[@Croftice1]

The actual assistant of the scientist was the scientist himself. You've probably missed that point, when entering the Antwillage, crossing the long bridge and spotting, what looks like a stasis pod, or something, actually triggers another of B-12's memories and he foinds out, that HE was that scientist and not the scientist's assistant like he thought before.

[@shinyagami8843]

@@Croftice1 maybe he means the robot that was next to the pod the scientist used to transfer his consciousness? Case you don’t remember, in the secret room you find B12 at the beginning of the game, there’s a pod & next to it a robot.

[@CynderSpirit]

I was hoping the ending was going to be everybody ending up on that beach that's in the picture we find, like coming from darkness to paradise.

[@Tigerman1138]

I am noticing a lot of people here seemingly have lost their beloved cat around the time this game came out. I am happy if the game brought you any sense of release, joy, or calm. I am so sorry for your all your losses. I hope you all have since adopted. A stray could use your love & repay you with theirs.

[@CUB3-47]

I love at 18:55 he says "stealthily sneaking, only as a cat can" while getting seen by every sentinel in the room

[@LXG987]

Exactly what I thought!

[@Skyarmychic]

10:45. I loved them because thats a play on Doc and Marty (whose middle name is seamus in back to the future (he even wears the vest and chromatic hat). The gun is even called the defluxer and runs on 1.21 gigawats lol

[@BimDaTitanicNerd]

This game seems really awesome! Also those large eyes on the walls was absolutely terrifying!

[@_dmfd]

Reminded me of Little Nightmares 2 haha

[@The-ZebraFinch-Channel]

⁠@@_dmfdfinally someone said it

[@Valentina-ng4hh]

Just finished this game. Loved how the robots were basically humans, with names personalities and hobbies. I’m going to make the guess the reason the slum and midtown robots were kind was probably because their humans were kind to them. Notice how they all have cute and silly names as opposed to the control room robots that are simply named “helper #”. It’s refreshing to see that the AI didn’t turn on the humans and that it was just a disease that killed them.

[@ggamba2]

We played the Italian localized version and I'd like to praise the localizers for their very good job. Many names of places, songs and things in the story have been localized in Italian with plenty of references to Italian pop culture, sometimes with funny results.

[@VivianaSilverback]

... But this game is based off asian culture..

[@newerboomerangmiaro7778]

Honestly I love how this game has so many parallels with current events such as Zurks being similar to the bacteria being created in the real world by current world scientists to destroy waste, and the Walked city being reminiscent of the Current climate change solution being thrown up lately

[@Crekification]

if that actually happened I would love that cuz everyone would go under ground and I would get to stay above ground lol

[@AUTMN111]

i just wanna say,this is probily the best game ever created.i played this last night and most of the time was just me looking around and talking to the robots.the storyline is not only just pure amazing,its clever too.and the puzzles are fun yet not hard.this genuely is just such a great game.everyone in their life needs to play its just soo good dude!

[@barophobia3013]

I just love the game’s environment and the small little things throughout.

[@reedtheracco0n]

This game is a masterpiece. With a complex story, amaizing gameplay, and the cutenes of the protoganist, this gane is a hit for 2022. Its gonna stay in history

[@UnluckyOrLucky]

Kinda sad that B-12 didn't get to see the Outside 😢

[@ihavenovideos4560]

Amazing I just finished playing this beautiful game

[@cawingcrows2072]

I love the added detail of the cat acting like the backpack is a great weight upon it My cat does the same with a simple harness LOL

[@sheilag4863]

I am in awe of the people who made this as well as always thankful of your breakdown! Because of your wonderful research I have played more video games within the last year that were beyond just distracting but we’re actually entertaining! Thank you as always for doing such a great job.

[@wyvern_winter3328]

Ive been waiting for so long, i checked every morning when i woke up for this Lets GO

[@kooool6069]

Same

[@bmurgeanu]

Same.

[@sandwichittoo6755]

It's sealed city 99 isn't it? So there are at least 98 others? Then there's the possibility of more humans, just scattered.

[@ronin667]

I love the Back To The Future reference they built in with Doc and Seamus. Doc tells us that his anti-zurk device, known as "defluxor" (flux capacitor?), needs 1.21 gigawatts to operate, and Seamus, who is wearing Marty McFly's orange vest, is named after Marty's ancestor in BTTF 3.

[@itzsushi9924]

Let’s get this man to 10 Mil, he makes Amazing content and has to be one of the best horror theory KZbinrs on the platform, been a fan a while and he certainly deserves it.

[@freakystories3583]

I still don't think that B 12 is the only human to down load there mind into a robots body. I still think that all the other human like robots did the same thing. So they can continue to work for the big shot company's that made the robot bodies in the first places, after all that most have cost a lot of money to do so. and the organed robots never j at all there still the same as they where when they where made a very long time ago. I think that all the human like robots where human at one point in time but forgotten every thing as time went by. Just like B 12 also did, but he slowly remember thanks to the cat tacking him to old plaices that he forget about because he hasn't being there for so long since he was trap in side a computer Network for so long. Also that company is very evil and greedy to say the least, they know that it was going to make them a lot, a lot of money by doing so. As time went by everyone forget why and who they really are and stared to do things to past the time and as they where doing so they slowly for get more and more as time went by. As for the eye things I think that they are aliens from an other planet and it was them who made the humans sick and any other animals where mutated like the cat is, jure he looks normal but look how intellagined he is for a cat? Normal cats cant do what he did that's for jure?

[@ceu160193]

Most likely he is only human. I suspect those pods being for VR experience, never intended to be used for uploading human consciousness into computer, and that scientist was one, who attempted to use it for such purpose. We do not see many such pods anywhere, suggesting, that most humans didn't have access to them and simply died. As for cat being intelligent - you can see what cats sleep on at the beginning. It's cardboard box. Suggesting, that outside may as well be alive and well, with humans still alive. My theory is that group of people, fearing some apocalypse(war or something) constructed this city. When war broke out, they sealed it off from outside world, and were told, that outside is dangerous, so no one even tries to leave it. Which is why Clementine is a criminal - attempting to leave city is a crime, and most likely it was that way, when humans were still alive. Because no one outside knew of this city, as it was made in secret, eventually it was forgotten. Signs and architecture used suggest, that it's real world location is somewhere in Japan. When robots took over, they adapted human beliefs, such as outside being dangerous.

[@Geist1337]

I know cats can take really long falls and be fine, but when you see the scope of the place you fell into, it is pretty high up...

[@Croftice1]

The cat didn't fall that deep though. In the scene, where the cat falls, you see, that the fall is broken by some sloped surface and then the cat rolls down over some debris, or stones, or what, before falling some more and ending on the ground. It's not a continuous long fall, more like several smaller falls with some breaks and rolling inbetween. That's why the cat survives relativnely "unharmed". Such a deep direct fall would kill any cat.

[@datonedumbasian4919]

imagine a open world dlc of stray that starts at the end of the main story, man it would be cool

[@craigrobinson1234567]

Literally bought this as a cat game for my daughter and was blown away by the depth. It’s not little nightmares but anyone that likes a dark dystopian horror will love this!

[@everwildart3563]

Interesting how the Surface become "unliveable" for the humans but the cats are able to live normally and didn't get extinct Maybe related to their 9 lives (haha) or animals are just different but who knows since we don't see any other animals other than cats

[@KGdorah1964]

I’m sure a lot of organic life persevered, it takes a lot to wipe out an entire species who desire to survive. Humanity is a bit of a special case since in this world we brought about our own downfall.

[@EvripidouM]

Nature usually survives in places humans cant. Think of chernobil

[@farrela3620]

Most likely whatever made the outside unlivable has receded over many years and since the city is on lockdown with no news of the outside and humanity has long gone. The robots just naturally evolve to have sentience while still thinking the outside is unlivable

[@RemnantSoul]

As Jurassic Park is famous for: "Life, will find a way." Even now, nature finds away to continue in even the most inhospitable areas.

[@Nuhhuhhuh]

Pigeons at beginning of the game

[@cyndaquilllover4807]

I am so happy I am very interested in the lore

[@StarParticleShade]

This has become one of my favorite games of all time. My husband bought it for me as therapy to help me overcome the death of my 12 year old cat, Harley. I miss her so freaking much....but this game hurt in a good way, and reminded me that we will sacrifice our own happiness to make sure our furry friend is take care of. Putting her down was one of the worst moments of my life. Also - haven't the humans in this game been gone for over 6 million years? It says how many days they have been human-free in the last city you go to, and it's roughly 6 million years. ....but that wouldn't make sense, because no structures would last that long.

[@BlackCroft666]

The problem is that number is written down by robots. We can't assume that they see time the same as humans.

[@rogeliocano9536]

@@BlackCroft666 true also the clocks have 16 hours on them. Could be a different measurement of time but who knows.

[@lexington.]

Just an addendum; the Zurk are not affected by "bright light", rather they are more specifically affected by "ultra-violet light".

[@Croftice1]

Yea. The bright light is a common mistake by people, who misunderstood, Doc's research notes. - make cute noise, but aren't friendly - have perfect sight in the dark - react to very bright light The last point is often misunderstood as the bright light killing them, while it only means they REACT to it. Indeed you can attract them by meowing, or by directing B-12's flashlight on them, they will chase you after that. That's what "react to bright light" really means.

[@maxolotol_axolotol5481]

thanks for making this video. Even though watching your playthrough helped me understand the lore, this video tied up the lose ends to questions I had and stray is my new favorite story game

[@theFlying_Salmon]

I always love your videos, I may not always comment, but you are the one who keep my theories at bay

[@intrsv]

omg the last part where “someone familiar” living in the network shows himself again is so sad man

[@user-kl5zd2oe3e]

That was pure sci-fi told in the most creative way. I love it! Oh! And kitties are cute.

[@jbnufc633]

I’m so glad you made a story explained video for this. The game was amazing

[@harmonyssymphony]

Love this video it's so amazing! I can't wait for more videos about stray

[@SERXO111]

Definitely cried when my boy b-12 died man.. Shoutout in the end- he let us knoww he still here in the ending!!

[@vnuzi0x]

I've heard about Stray before, and I didn't think it was that fun until I watched this amazing video! Keep up the good work!

[@justalizard7192]

This game reminds me of the Love, Death, and Robots episode 2, Three Robots.

[@fireflyer97]

Loved seeing a summary of Stray's story through your narration style.

[@princebaal]

I think some companions have humans minds uploaded inside them, there's some obvious hints throughout the game. Robots don't remember they were first humans just like B-12 didn't remember. But the companions have reminiscences of smell, taste, love etc... You also have the pod in Antvillage of course, meaning that a lot of humans had probably the same idea as the scientist... Soooo, if B-12 uploaded its mind again in the network, maybe our favorite little drone can come back ?

[@Croftice1]

Yes. There was a deactivated Companion bot in B-12's flat, most likely the original destination for his mind, but he said himself, that something with the transfer was off and he ended up trapped in the network. Seeing that other pod in the Antwillage brought the exact same idea. Some people living there before the bots (or having them as helpers - a fancy word for slaves) must have been thinking of a way to tranfer themselves into the Companion bots. And some of them (if not all) might have succeeded.

[@pixel_byte326]

when I first heard of stray I was hyped as I loved cats and robots. I thought that the gameplay for Stray was a bit short and I was a bit sad when B-12 sacrificed himself as I will miss him very much. So that's why I hope that this game will get a sequel in the future.

[@GreekMapper889]

Stray:friends love

[@yuk1_a0i]

18:56 "Stealthily sneaking, like only a cat can" *almost gets shot by one of the sentinels* Mmm yes 'Sneaky'

[@wilmagregg3131]

such a great way of storytelling i like to think B12 was suprised he survived the finally but will now stay there watching behind to scenes. he probably has access to all systems of the city now practically a minor god to the machines if he felt the need to but i think hes fine simplu being the immortal historian.

[@lauraedman2073]

I love this game. I truly hope they make a stray 2 where b-12 maybe is okey and we are set on an adventure to find our cat family

[@mominashakeel4795]

Wow, the editing on this video is INCREDIBLE

[@marthaelenabrenesorozco2953]

GOOD VIDEO, the important thing is that the kitten is safe and with his family

[@gamebuster4844]

The cat in this game was inspired by the real cat belonging to the cofounders of Blue Twelve and it's named Murtaugh,by extension the cat in Stray is also named Murtaugh

[@disappearingangel4972]

Another fun fact is the cat is voice acted by a female cat named Lala

[@thatanimegirlwiththecape4807]

@@disappearingangel4972 so its three cats in one. That explains why they re so smart

[@arshu_parshu1999]

@@disappearingangel4972 maybe Orange: martaugh Mostly orange: lala Mostly white: Oscar Black: Jun

[@Croftice1]

Murtaugh was one of several cats, that inspired the stray cat. There's at least three other cats, that contributed to create the protagonist of the game. Murtaugh of course stands as a physical model, the cat's visuals were modeled after him. Then there's a Sphynx cat, that served as a model for stray's movements. Yet another cat was used for stray's cat like behavior (the playing with the other cats, the schratching behind ear, licking of the front paw and similar stuff) and then there's Lala a female cat lending her voice. People only ever mention Murtaugh, but without the other contributors, our stray cat wouldn't behave and sound the way it does in the game. Finally the stray cat in the game doesn't have a gender or even an official name. It might be Murtaugh, but honestly it's up to every player. It's quite a coincidence, that the stray almost purrfectly matches my uncle's female cat, Žofka (a czech translation of the name Sofia), not just the physical appearance, but also sounds, the cat meows just like our little Sofia does. All the sounds match. Since the cat doesn't officially have a gender assigned, for me personally it is the little Sofia and I always refer to the cat as her, when debating the game with someone.

[@leiarobinson3549]

Such a good game too! And at first I didn't quite understand the computer screen turning on at the end, but after watching this explanation video of Stray it put a big smile on my face realizing B-12 is still alive! :D

[@starchildlonelyness1348]

I love this channel. And everything you do you really brought light back into my life

[@ILOVECRK7]

Love your vids!!! I especially like this one because it’s such an interesting game with a great story.

[@samgao]

I lost it when B12 Died and the cat went to cuddle next to him. I started this game when my cat was with me, and I ended it when my cat passed away. In the final days when my cat passed, she would cuddle up to me extra close every day for long hours of the day. The end just brought up all those memories... Took me a couple of months of on and off playing...

[@t3_t323]

I loved playing this game so much and the ending brought me to tears, it was created so well and with such an incredible storyline that when i finished playing all i wanted was more, or perhaps just a final scene where our incredible little cat finds his family again.

[@G4bislifeless]

I've been waiting this for soooo long, basically since game came out