Stray Gods: RP Musical Review – GameTopic
Stray Gods: RP Musical Review - GameTopic
Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical – A Supernatural Murder Mystery Worth Singing About!
Are you ready for a video game that combines the supernatural, murder mystery, visual novel, and musical genres? Look no further than Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical! This game is a one-of-a-kind experience that boldly embraces its bonkers premise. Prepare yourself for magical moments when mortals and Greek gods burst into song, allowing you to choose responses that shape the story, affect other characters, and even change the lyrics! Musical battles reach new heights when you decide who sings and how they express their emotions. It’s a thrill that keeps on giving, even if the overall experience falls slightly flat due to predictable storytelling. But fear not, the captivating art and incredible voice acting will keep you entertained throughout your journey.
In Stray Gods, you step into the shoes of Grace, voiced with moxie and flair by the talented Laura Bailey, known for her role in The Last of Us. Grace, a college dropout, finds herself in the wrong place at the wrong time, falsely accused of murdering a muse of the gods. The voice acting in this game is top-notch, with recognizable talents such as Troy Baker, Merle Dandridge, Ashley Johnson, Felicia Day, Rahul Kohli, and Anthony Rapp. These vocal performances bring life to every line, making the characters feel vibrant and engaging.
Let’s talk about the Greek mythology aspect. While Stray Gods explores this rich world, it falls slightly short in offering fresh interpretations of iconic characters like Athena, Pan, and Persephone. We expected to be enchanted by new sides to these gods and their storylines, but the game sticks a bit too closely to traditional archetypes. However, there are some delightful surprises, like Baker’s moody portrayal of Apollo and his engaging surfer bro backstory. These moments add depth to the pantheon but don’t fully capitalize on the potential for innovation.
The writing, led by BioWare veteran David Gaider, strikes a balance between plot acceleration and character development, given the game’s three-hour playtime. The focus is primarily on uncovering the murder suspect and clearing Grace’s name, with only a few optional dialogue choices providing insight into the characters’ lives. Although character development takes a bit of a backseat, the game’s unique art compensates for it. The hand-drawn characters are vivid and distinctive, featuring bold lines and fashionable choices. The gods, adorned with edgy piercings and accessories, exude personality that complements their writing and voice performances. The colorful backdrops, whether a lair or a luxury apartment, are visually stunning and will mesmerize you at every turn.
Now, let’s address the elephant in the room: the lack of lip movement during musical numbers. While it’s typical for visual novels, Stray Gods’ musical nature demands a different level of immersion. Seeing characters with closed mouths while singing can be jarring, momentarily breaking the illusion. However, the varied camera angles keep the scenes flowing smoothly.
- Top TVs for PS5 Gaming
- Xbox Game Pass adds acclaimed game with rave reviews.
- Top Affordable Gaming Chairs in 2023
While the murder mystery’s culprit might be a tad predictable and unchanging, Stray Gods offers replayability in the form of different character interactions. Depending on whether you play Grace as Clever, Charismatic, or Kickass, dialogue options and scenes play out differently. A Kickass Grace will aggressively shake down suspects, while a Clever Grace will rely on reason and logic. This flexibility adds depth and incentive to revisit the game.
On the gameplay front, Stray Gods keeps things simple and accessible, resembling an interactive TV special. You’ll search for clues, charm, interrogate, or sneak past characters and obstacles, deciding how Grace approaches each situation. The dialogue choices during intense song battles add a sense of urgency, even though there are no real consequences for failing to make a choice in time. It’s an engaging experience that even newcomers to video games can enjoy.
On subsequent playthroughs, you’ll appreciate the incredible original songs that could easily fit into a Broadway show. Composed by the acclaimed Austin Wintory, these songs delve into the characters’ contemplations on mortality, bitter reflections on the past, and the release of pent-up emotions. The talented voice actors deliver heartfelt performances, showcasing impressive vocal range. While the songs may lack immediate catchiness, a second playthrough allows you to uncover recurring themes and character accents. Highlights include Grace’s Hamilton-like rap battle insults and a quirky cover of “I Put a Spell on You.” The villains’ soliloquy, with appropriately devilish undertones, adds to the dark allure of the story.
Speaking of emotions, Stray Gods dwells on some somber themes, which may not be to everyone’s taste. It explores the past wrongs suffered by the gods, leading Grace to navigate their emotional turmoil. While this adds depth to the narrative, some players may find it too bleak, especially when spending extended periods in this world. Video games often offer escapism, and Stray Gods could benefit from finding a better balance between reflection and light-heartedness.
During my first playthrough, allowing every dialogue line to play out resulted in a pacing issue during some slower songs. Characters delved into their lives and decisions, causing the story to drag at times. However, fear not! The game includes an option to skip dialogue in subsequent playthroughs, making the experience more streamlined and enjoyable.
One of the joys of replaying Stray Gods lies in the life-and-death consequences of major plot points. Beyond that, you’ll have the power to change the lyrics of songs, determine who gets solos or group performances, and shape Grace’s spotlight-sharing tendencies. Witnessing the songs evolve while maintaining an overall melody is a fascinating touch that keeps you engaged throughout the game.
Now let’s dive into a thought-provoking aspect of the game: Grace’s muse ability. This power allows her to influence those around her, making them break out in song and possibly altering their mental health and life decisions. While the game doesn’t delve too deeply into this concept, it raises an important question about agency. Does Grace’s influence strip others of their free will? Life is Strange: True Colors tackles this theme more comprehensively, making it a missed opportunity for Stray Gods. Nevertheless, the game chooses to let Grace do what she wants without dwelling on the consequences, providing a lighter approach within the narrative.
In conclusion, Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical offers an extraordinary blend of genres that will charm fans of supernatural stories, murder mysteries, visual novels, and musical experiences. While the predictability of the plot and the characters’ lack of innovation in Greek mythology archetypes affect the overall experience, the incredible voice acting and stunning art compensate for these shortcomings. With simple gameplay mechanics, multiple dialogue options, and life-and-death consequences to explore, Stray Gods rewards replayability and invites you to uncover every hidden melody and character arc. So grab your microphone and get ready to embark on a musical journey like no other!
