I think it’s important to note that humanity doesn’t only live on in the companions. It lives on in the cats, too. Cats only really meow to get a human’s attention. But they still meow in Stray, long after humans have left. I’d like to think that they’re remembering us in their own little way.

@Sm0k3turt

Жыл бұрын

Or Talkin to the robots who heavily resemble humans

@potassiumkat207

Жыл бұрын

maybe, but the cats still meow to each other before the cat even falls into the city. or it could be a sound only cats can hear, but the player, being a cat, gets to hear it

One fan theory I really like is that some of the more sentient robots were once humans who uploaded their consciousnesses, similar to B12. I also love that the game doesn't explicitly say this, nor does it tell exactly how long humans have been gone. There's a slew of theories around this, which I think is fantastic. One problem with modern storytelling is everything is shoved into the audience's face, with no room for personal interpretation. Stray lets the players' imaginations roam, to come up with their own theories and what the story means to them. That is the true definition of art.

@Sm0k3turt

Жыл бұрын

I like this a lot. Thanks for enjoying it man!!

@serian3138

Жыл бұрын

This is accualy a fact.the cage where you go in to upload your mind is found at least twice in the world of stray (in the ant city and in the flat)

@Sm0k3turt

Жыл бұрын

@@serian3138 yes. But I doubt they used TWO of them for the entire human race

@Lukadsgr

Жыл бұрын

​@@Sm0k3turt Yeah, they used a lot more. When you go to the city and find a memory inside the celling of the pizzeria, B-12 starts saying that he loved when he was a human to go to a place that looks like that pizzeria, and that there was a guy that was the pizzeria worker who B-12 liked his services, B-12 continues by saying that he cant remember the name of the guy, but he thinks that starts with the letter "M". Guess what? The name of the Robot in the pizzeria is Mattbee. :D

@sincereharmony7264

Жыл бұрын

@@Sm0k3turt their city was number 99 so there are atleast 98 other domes with their own humans and pods and robots. Not the entire human race were in there

6:24 One other thing I noticed besides B12 being a cute little reference to the studio who developed Stray is someone pointed out in another video that B12 is also a possible reference to the B-complex vitamin, which is an essential nutrient in cats, responsible for supporting a healthy digestive, immune, and nervous system.

@IvoryTowerCollections

Жыл бұрын

Just a bit before this at 6:13 is clearly an egg reference to the movie the Shining. Look at the wall paper pattern. Very close to that of the carpet in the hotel.

@ahmedbasim2302

Жыл бұрын

I don't think that is intentional vitamin b is essential in all animals and humans

Every single time I watch and experience the ending, I can't help but tear up. Every. Single. Time. It really shows how captivating Stray is, how well it gets us so attached to the beings and the story

@Sm0k3turt

Жыл бұрын

Thanks! The game is pretty cool. But I think a large reason it’s so effective as a story is the writing and music. It’s just vague enough to let you fill out the blanks without feeling contrived. The soundtrack is also excellent and very unique

@Random_scug

Жыл бұрын

im not tearing up over a game of a cat your the one who is

@filostratos5696

Жыл бұрын

A fan theory says that the cat after the ending reunited with his buddies because the place you end up to "the outside" is a 20 min. Walk to them

The slow blink at the end made me cry, if you know cats it's a way to say that they love and trust you and it's focused on the player in this scene while the camera go back.

Wow! You're seriously underrated. I've never seen a video essay about Stray so eloquently worded, you nailed the vibes of the game perfectly here. Well done!

@Sm0k3turt

Жыл бұрын

Thanks man! I am running on vibes and good editing lol

Oh how I wish I could play Stray for the first time again. These feelings of intense melancholy, paired with hopefulness, yet being constantly reminded of the fragile nature of it. But one thing stands out more than the rest: the resilience. It doesn't matter what comes next, there is always a way to overcome it. I can hardly put into words, what this game means to me. It was supposed to be a silly little cat game, but it ended up becoming one of my all time favorites. Thank you so much for this video. Absolutely agree with everything. To sum it up in a stray little cat way: *slowly blinks*.

@Sm0k3turt

Жыл бұрын

Same. It is a silly cat game Fs but I appreciate that it went a little deeper than it needed to.

This game is one of a kind. No matter how much you already saw it on YT, you got to put on your headphones and experience it on your own.

This is great, found your channel after searching for some meaningful stray content. While the "Top 10 Hidden Easter Eggs YOU missed in Stray" videos are fun, I was really searching for something that resonates with the heavy feelings I am experiencing while playing stray and processing the story in its entirety. This video is beautiful and sums up a lot of what I was feeling while playing the game as well as brought some really wonderful new thoughts for me to ponder. I appreciate your brain juice

@Sm0k3turt

Жыл бұрын

I love “I appreciate your brain juice” lmao. I’m working on an Inside Retrospective so get excited for that! Thanks!

@stinkychevre

Жыл бұрын

@@Sm0k3turt hehehehe fuck yeahhhhhhhhhhhhHHHHHHH I’m so excited. Inside is another of my absolute favorite games! Loved when you brought up how inside moves in a constant deep descent, but stray, no matter what, you’re constantly ascending. Boom my mind went crazy over that. Excited for more! :)

this dude is underrated. like, really underrated. this is honestly the best stray video ive seen. you put emotion into this, unlike others who just blankly read off a script. keep up the work!

@Sm0k3turt

Жыл бұрын

Cheers mate! I try to look at everything from a perspective of empathy. Generally I just like to make videos that make people feel things (:

Loved the game. I want to play it again. Aside from the cats - the storytelling, environments, characters and music - were so close to perfect. It drew me in and I kept thinking about it until I had the time to play it again. It’s not that expensive, and you’re supporting a small developer who put a ton of love into this game and story. What got me to comment on your video - wait, what? There’s a soundtrack?!? Yeah, I’ve seen the (sometimes valid) criticism, and this game is not 100% perfect (is any game?). But I have been playing games for many, many years on every platform you can imagine- and this game stands out to me as one of my favorites of all time, certainly the most memorable in the last 10 years. Finally, while I would love to see more of this world and what this developer can do - this game was the perfect length. It was long enough I couldn’t finish in one setting, but short enough that I felt like I could finish without dedicating my life to a video game. Oh, and the use of the camera - that was extremely clever and cinematic.

@Sm0k3turt

Жыл бұрын

It’s a cool game. It’s fun to see so many people connect with it like I did! Glad you enjoyed it!

oh god. oh heck. oh crap. i- wh- you have no right to make me cry as hard as i did from that end oh my goddd. this was amazing and you deserve wayy more subscribers on this channel holy shit

@Sm0k3turt

Жыл бұрын

Spread the word 😉

MY GOD THIS IS SO GOOD. So perfect and easy to understand. Also why is this guy so poetic it amazes me. He should be a poet

@Sm0k3turt

2 ай бұрын

Writer moment (;

Well, the answer to why these bots act human lies within the two pods you see in the game. Especially the first one used by the scientist to upload his consciousness. Because what was connected to that pod? A robot. "Something went wrong", B12 stated. I think, the robots are acting human, because they are shadows of the humans uploaded into them via these pods. But because of the time they all forgot their roots. B12 only could remember it all, because the cat allowed him to visit the whole city and not just stay at a single place.

@TheTuubster

Жыл бұрын

... that's also why the bots at the control room were still in their original state: The pods were never used on them.

@yujukiyuuki7203

Жыл бұрын

If that true then why we only see two pod in the games.if all bot is human data that download insiden Robot should it be many pod?

@TheTuubster

Жыл бұрын

@@yujukiyuuki7203 The same reason why MRI devices are not available around every corner. ;)

@yujukiyuuki7203

Жыл бұрын

@@TheTuubster wdym?

@Sm0k3turt

Жыл бұрын

I thought that too but there’s too much evidence against that it’s all humans. ONE robot to our knowledge was human. But most of them seem to just be cultural copies.

Man, you nailed the feeling of the game! This is probably my favourite Stray video I've seen, great analysis!

@Sm0k3turt

Жыл бұрын

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it!

my gosh, i loved this video, loved the edition, use of music and your opinion. This video is insane keep up the good work. Loved this

@Sm0k3turt

Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much!

Stray is one of those absolutely unnecessary (BUT neccesary at the same time) games that you adore with your life. Why would someone want to play a game as a cat? And what kind of story can such game tell us? The tale of human extinction and what remains after can only be told by someone (something?) that elicits empathy, care and respect. What better way to do it than making an animal, one that is beloved as a pet nowadays, to take on that role and show us what life could be after we're gone? Stray is one of my favorite games, one I didn't know I wanted until I first saw it, having cats myself and loving them. I grew so connected to this little fellow that I still tear up when I remember the things that happened along the way. We care about so many things, so many living beings, so many memories, so much knowledge, properties, relationships. But once we're gone, who's gonna remember all of it for us? And does it even really matter if there's no one to remember the things we did? I loved how we got to see a developing digital society, how they adjusted to their own environment and grew as a new species, but with traces and traits of the one that came before. Also, the fact that animals survive beyond ourselves is what I believe to be the natural order, even though I can't tell the future. To close, if you haven't played Stray yet, please do. And if you haven't because you only got a Nintendo Switch, well, it's our lucky year, as we're getting it later this year Hey, Sm0ke, thanks for this awesome video!

This was fantastic. I've just finished the game and now I can't get enough of the lore. I think the scientist ushered everyone in the slums into his place and saved himself for last. He exhausted the machine and that's why he ended up in the network instead of his own robot body like the rest.

@Sm0k3turt

Жыл бұрын

I truly believe that humanity died. I just love the robots mourning the humans and becoming them idea.

this is amazing, you're incredibly underrated

@Sm0k3turt

Жыл бұрын

Thank you! I try to make good stuff that is both entertaining and interesting and thought provoking!

Dude I can't believe you've only got a thousand subs with this standard of video!! Just subscribed keep it up :)

@Sm0k3turt

Жыл бұрын

Thanks a ton! Please leave your worshipping tokens in my mailbox.

Great video, absolutely nailed the explanation and the emotion this game gave me And the jokes got me laughing

@Sm0k3turt

Жыл бұрын

That means I did what I intended to! I’m trying to elicit emotion, thought, and a good laugh all at once.

this analysis is amazing! please do more! you killing it!

Perfect description at the end. You have inspired my 3rd play through with these thoughts in my head.

@Sm0k3turt

Жыл бұрын

Haha cat go jump

Late to the party, but subbed and great video. Just finished the game.

@Sm0k3turt

Жыл бұрын

Personally I think it just being humans would be lame. I thought the whole point was that they were long gone. Even if they were alive in that way, it wouldn’t be as fun.

Feeling soul-crushing emptiness after finishing the game yesterday, loved this video

@Sm0k3turt

5 ай бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it!

Damn bro you really did a stellar job on this! Keep up the great work man. You're destined for greatness!

Tears came when beat the game , and also watching this video. Thank you.

There is someone who gave his best effort to decipher the alphabet being used by the robots in this game. Check it out, it is so cool that the devs really gave their effort for it.

@TrelliessRose

Жыл бұрын

They seemed to nail all twenty-six letters, too.

Hey man, I love the way you executed the video it's just amazing. Looking forward to seeing more of such amazing content. :)

@Sm0k3turt

Жыл бұрын

Thanks! I try to make cool meaningful stuff.

what a cool video essay!! i found i had a lot of the same appreciations you did, i just couldn't find the words for it :] very cool!!

@Sm0k3turt

Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much!

The pacing and use of music is just perfect. Keep up the incredible work!

@Sm0k3turt

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks! The soundtrack is excellent. Go support the dude who made it he’s just as underrated as me

A poetic review of a wonderful game.

@Sm0k3turt

Жыл бұрын

Thanks! Check out my other stuff if you’re interested.

nice story recap

@Sm0k3turt

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching it!

This video is pretty cool! I laughed at some points and I understand your point! You clearly deserve more attention, keep that up! Here is a fact that may make you guys much more happy: The border of the underground city is a circle having 360 degrees. By using maths you can calculate that walking 1 degree of that circle, takes around 30 seconds. Now in the end, we all expected a scene where the cats meet eachother again, though that didn't happen, instead we only saw how the cat sniffed the air, and walked to the right. Now, if you retrack the route from their home and the city entrance, you will see that both locations aren't far away from eachother. The home of the cat sits inside the border, therefore we can surely take the border circle of 360 degrees to measure the distance between both locations. If you do that, you'll see that the entrance/exit only 1 degree away from their home! Meaning it only takes 30 seconds for the cat to get back home. If you now pay attention to the ending scene, the cat sniffes the air, showing us that the cat is smelling their friends, also the cat goes to the right, and that's exactly the correct direction to get back home! In addition, you see a screen flickering, meaning that their human friend is still alive! An ending scene as such wasn't needed, it is perfect as it is right now! Thank you for reading!

@Sm0k3turt

Жыл бұрын

That’s how I interpreted it. It’s heavily implied. That’s all it needs.

By far the best game in years! Cant wait for more!

At first I didn't opened the video because "It's just another analisys about stray, or about the death of humanity" But after watching it you really express another opinion, i really like your view of the game. The video is really well done in the thecnical point of view (editiing, commentary) It was worth watching. ¡Kepp up with the good work!

@Sm0k3turt

Жыл бұрын

Thanks! I try to not just find the “deeper meaning” or whatever. Stories are subjective and I like to embrace that!

bro I felt so connected with this game, it felt so real, like you were actually that cat, solving and re-building the world, wanting to go back with your cat friends, I finished the game today and I cried so much when it ended, I hope a Stray 2 comes out, This game was so good and we can tell it was a success. B-12 and all the robots, Clementine, Momo, Doc, etc. Actually felt like friends to me. And when B-12 used his last power left to open the roof, I felt so bad, I hope that he comes back, because in the ending we can see a sign of him flickering, just how he guided us in the begining of the journey.

@Sm0k3turt

Жыл бұрын

I don’t think it needs a sequel. It’s perfect as it is. (:

Great video essay!

@Sm0k3turt

9 ай бұрын

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed!

Dude, your slightly monotone explanation is sick. I love this type of video. 0:03 too 1:16

@Sm0k3turt

Жыл бұрын

Thanks man! I love making moody shit.

This guy deserves way more subscribers

B12 is also a important vitamin for cats!

@Sm0k3turt

Жыл бұрын

That’s actually a rad detail!

THIS IS SO UNDERRATED WHAT

The best soundtrack:Cassette Tape

This is so good!

@Sm0k3turt

11 ай бұрын

Thanks!

Bro.... I cried while watching this... you did a really good job (no sarcasm)

@Sm0k3turt

Жыл бұрын

That’s nice. Didn’t mean to make you cry but if I did it means I made an effective video! Thanks! (Sarcasm I hate you)

@wintereyes7674

Жыл бұрын

@@Sm0k3turt hehe

Holly shit, You're The only person who has even come close to capturing the feeling we all got playing stary, I absolutely adore this game and this video makes me love it even more, I remember watching some of the game play after beating it myself and feeling disheartened by how sinical some of it's players were about the robot's and how they complained that the ending doesn't have much weight because we only spend 6 or so hour's with them Wich genuinely sucked listening to, and throughout my playthrough I didn't exactly feel the weight of the death of humanity as I was kind of desensitized to that whole stick bc of Media, but while watching the video I truly began to realize just how bitter sweet and sad it is that the robots mourned us and greived after we were gone, despite all the hell we probably put them through, it touches my heart in a way not much else ever has, I'm incredibly thankful to you for opening up my eyes to that Truth. Have a wonderful day and sub!

@Sm0k3turt

Жыл бұрын

Thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed it. I’m also biased cause I have a springtrap poster that I’ve owned for 6 years now.

@mr.spring-miser3034

Жыл бұрын

@@Sm0k3turt haha, I guess I could say the same I've owned a springtrap Funko pop for around 5+ years! That and I draw him constantly.

Gotta love a new sm0ke video

you should make more of these they deserve a ton more views

@Sm0k3turt

Жыл бұрын

Difficult to work up the motivation to edit 😞

The ArtStyle of this game is just awesome.....

Just finished the game, awesome video

hah cat is big funny. love a sm0ke vid.

Ohhhhh my god I love the way you explain the plague I feel like I'm listening to actual history

@Sm0k3turt

Жыл бұрын

Thank you? Lol

11:34 "Cyber trash aesthetic." I like that word usage. It fits nicely.

@Sm0k3turt

Жыл бұрын

Cyber trash

@tashibalampkin8555

Жыл бұрын

@@Sm0k3turt Whoops. My bad. Thanks for the correction.

@Sm0k3turt

Жыл бұрын

CYBER TRASH 2077!! *heavy metal starts playing*

Excellent analysis of an awesome game. Stray was surprisingly touching and the soundtrack added a lot of atmosphere. Did you mention PRESS O TO MEOW 😸

@Sm0k3turt

Жыл бұрын

I did not. A terrible video because of this.

4:06 Dude is fed the f up. Like, damn. Tell us how you feel. 😂

Damn this game is deep

Bruh just got All achievements I hope whoever made the cant Catch me thigh steps on a Lego. Great video I’ll sub I don’t see why not

@Sm0k3turt

Жыл бұрын

That achievement made me cry

26:36 I love this part

20:30 blazer actually had a reason for helping u steal the battery. If you show clementine's note to one companion, he tells you that blazer used to work at the factory but got fired, and ge's got a beef with them

@Sm0k3turt

Жыл бұрын

Oh that makes sense yeah. Still could’ve been made more clear.

@EvripidouM

Жыл бұрын

@@Sm0k3turt i understand what you mean. Some fleshing out (metalling out??) wouldhave been nice Btw your essay is my fav on stray i have watched so far. I want to show it to people who say that its just a stupid cat simulator.

6:01 I never noticed until now that in the apartment, the music that plays is one of the songs that Morusque plays :0

@Sm0k3turt

Жыл бұрын

That’s a great detail

Great video, I love the dive into the the game and pointing out all the details that made it so great. I find it annoying when I try and talk about the game, I only receive 'lol cat, look it's a cat, cute cat', absolutely drives me up the wall, it's more than just being a cat damnit, haha. Man the first time I made it to the last city and it being pristine absolutely caught me off guard. The shift in tone was so drastic! I love the amount of personality they put into each robot, and the animation is beautiful. But yeah fuck that achievement, hahaha, that took forever to get.

This is an amazing video. That is all.

It might be because i dont have a cat and havent had much experiences with them that making a connection with stray was ALOT slower, as in im not interested just because theres a cat, so alot of my enjoyment with stray wasnt the cat, it was the robots, B 12, the storytelling and the music. It was really fun just getting to chill through a pretty well decorated and interesting world, finding items and hearing B 12's insights on items, characters and areas with occasional moments or b 12's more "Important" insights. The ending is pretty good i guess, but i didnt really find it that emotional compared to some people, mostly because there is only so much emotion a cat can show. Would have been interesting to see this game done with a dog, defo worth a few hours of your time. Great video btw❤

@Sm0k3turt

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching! I would love to see a similar game with a different animal.

Glad I wasn't the only one to go "are those fucking headcrabs?"

@Sm0k3turt

Жыл бұрын

I saw so many people say similar things, I had to.

This video is amazing. I'd love to hear you talk about more complex stories like that of God of War's or whatnot. Either way, this was great!

@Sm0k3turt

Жыл бұрын

I’ve had an idea for a god of war video that would be a bit more personal.

@maleehadamda6814

Жыл бұрын

@@Sm0k3turt well, whether you plan on making the video or not, i hope you continue making videos on whatever you please, because video essays like these are sooo good and fun to digest. Thank you for making this vid ❤️

i subscribed in the first minute of the video

I think the idea that the Companions "mourn" and celebrate humanity by doing their best to imitate humanity is why I like this game so much.

@Sm0k3turt

Жыл бұрын

Me too. I found that endearing, even if it isn’t completely original.

So if we are in walled city 99 what happened to the other 98 cities? There could still be humans alive

@Sm0k3turt

Жыл бұрын

Absolutely! But this is what happened to 99. It also could be that every previous city was completely infected. I doubt they are alive anyway as it’s been a long time. If they did survive they’re long gone.

It's astonishing how some can drain this much narrative from this game and others only see orientalism and cultural appropriation. Sometimes language is round dome where some try to reach and others shrink in it's lower levels. Loved this video!!

@Sm0k3turt

Жыл бұрын

Thanks! I think there is some merit to the stuff about cultural appropriation. But it’s baffling to me that people target a weird indie game about robots instead of, oh I don’t know CYBERPUNK 2077 lmao. Thanks for enjoying! Could make a whole video about that topic lmao

@saooran7364

Жыл бұрын

@@Sm0k3turt I guess the wholesale mess 2077 brought to the table kinda suffocated the cultural mess lol I would like a video on the topic. I got few cultural appropriation issues beside the guardian robot and the luck golden cats.

@BlackCroft666

Жыл бұрын

That argument ist dumb as heck anyways. THe design of the areas are based on chinese cities. Maybe the game even plays in China. But then those who make that argument are actual soulless NPCs anyways. Less human than those robots in game.

Subscribed.

@Sm0k3turt

Жыл бұрын

Thanks!

ahh I played this game twice and I STILL don't understand how the cat fell in when there was a roof over the city?

@Sm0k3turt

Жыл бұрын

He fell through a hole in the wall. I like to think of it as a cool way of showing how the wall didn’t really help humanity. It isolated us in our final moments.

I think antvillage is actually one of the giant water tanks that supply the city a companion was talking about it. I'll edit my comment when I play again and give the name and location of the companion.

@EvripidouM

Жыл бұрын

It is. It was mentioned in b12's memory in the sewers

I already played it and in one hour I finished to chapter 8😊

@Sm0k3turt

Жыл бұрын

Damn you’re movin fast!!

I can imagine Pyrocynical making a video essay on Stray, only he won't do it.

@Sm0k3turt

Жыл бұрын

I am Pyrocynical Lite

Does anyone know the name of the song playing at 25:37

@Sm0k3turt

Жыл бұрын

It’s all the Stray soundtrack. That one is slums I believe. But just listen to the whole album. Some tracks have different segments in one track

@goobertime2119

Жыл бұрын

Thank you!

I'm de cat queen no ons else

💖

@Sm0k3turt

Жыл бұрын

Funny cat

Whats the name of the music that starts as 25:25?

@Sm0k3turt

Жыл бұрын

Probably “The Slums” or “Intruder”

@genuinerodent5243

Жыл бұрын

@@Sm0k3turt thanks, great video

@Just_Joey4

Жыл бұрын

It's "slums" and it starts at 6,10

this is really sad

@Sm0k3turt

Жыл бұрын

Thank you

sorry but I am about to end your dream: 1. momo, doc and samuel can only go the way we had gone in the game to antvilige and midtown witch mean the had to go thrue the big eye-zurks thing waht not disserpeard at the sun-end and they would prop. die on the way... 2. if they get to midtown and Clem there is still the subway with we took so they can't get to the controlroom and go out. 3. if they get out or stay in the slums, city or go out, they have to worry bout rain! They where build after they where in the city so they never knew about rain and bould prop. also die. sorry again but I can't stop thinking about these fakts

@Sm0k3turt

11 ай бұрын

Fair. But thanks for watching! They would probably die to rain lol. Who knows maybe they are waterproof.

@_MimiKa8

11 ай бұрын

@@Sm0k3turt well they where made after the humans livd in the citys so Idk

@Sm0k3turt

11 ай бұрын

@_MimiKa8 Fair. Thanks for your thoughts anyway! Glad you watched and enjoyed!

egg

@Sm0k3turt

11 ай бұрын

Egg

they didnt make a whole language for the game because 1. that takes alot of time and effort and 2. it takes a lot of knowledge about linguistics, what they actually did was just make some characters up and assigned each character to an english letter, its just using a different alphabet to write regular english

@Sm0k3turt

Жыл бұрын

Interesting! And totally fair. Making a language is hard.

post the screenshot you took at 14:22

@Sm0k3turt

Жыл бұрын

No (:

Some ppl dont like this game. I don't understand it...

@Sm0k3turt

Жыл бұрын

It’s a bit derivative and has some weird choices.

Cat breeders deserve it. Adopt, don't buy.

@Sm0k3turt

Жыл бұрын

Damn, ruthless but fair. Good advice.