Though it has been a few months since its official release, Stray continues to hold a special place in fans' hearts. Many already agree that Stray deserves a sequel, though none are sure what shape this sequel would take. The game has potential with its unique gameplay and artistic directions, but it's clear developer BlueTwelve Studio will need to go above and beyond for future games. As many speculate about what a hypothetical Stray 2 could do to improve upon its predecessor, BlueTwelve Studio should look at Unravel Two for inspiration.
Unravel shared similar beginnings as the debut game from Coldwood Interactive, and when it turned to develop its next title it faced similar challenges in how best to elevate a sequel. Expanding its scope and shifting to a co-op experience made Unravel Two its own game that stood out compared to its predecessor, and Stray could very easily do something similar for a potential Stray 2.
Unravel Two and Co-Op Games
In recent years, co-op games have become increasingly prominent with the capability of both local and online co-op, as well as cross-platform functionality. Likely motivated by the pandemic causing people to be stuck at home, these games are a means for players to connect with others, fostered by games that necessitate two players. Games such as It Takes Two and A Way Out were successful by making co-op a core focus of their gameplay experiences.
Following Unravel with Unravel Two shift to co-op gameplay was a drastic change, but it seems to have worked in Coldwood Interactive's favor. The reason behind Unravel Two's success in spite of this radical shift could be due to Unravel's remaining prestige. Players already familiar with Unravel would be more likely to take a chance on Unravel Two regardless of the fact it was now co-op, and Coldwood Interactive's forethought to make the game compatible with cross-platform play, assuaging players' concerns and strengthening its online functionality. Stray should follow this example, with a second game taking advantage of the prestige it holds while creating a cross-platform co-op experience.
Why Stray 2 Should Be a Co-Op Experience
At the end of Stray, while players discovered the truth behind who B-12 is and where all the humans went, some of its original story threads were left hanging. For instance, the game's main motivation was for the cat to make its way back to its family after falling into the city, but by the game's conclusion no such reunion took place. This has left the door wide open for future titles to pick up where Stray left off, with a potential sequel following the cat's efforts to rejoin its family - learning more about Stray's world along the way.
One possible means of expanding Stray's game design based on its ending would be for the cat to team up with another stray. While this could be any random stray to open up some relationship building within the sequel's story, it would be an excellent tie into the first game's narrative if it was a familiar face. From there, the two felines could explore Stray's outside world as they work their way home. This could easily build upon Stray's level and puzzle design, exploring distractions as part of stealth or time-sensitive puzzles that need two players to complete.
Stray is available now on PC, PS4, and PS5.