Games like Stray - 15 best games where you play as an animal

Gaming is a wonderful medium where you can step into various roles and explore different stories without constraints. It's a way to escape from the ordinary and become anyone or anything you desire, even a pet, as seen in one of the acclaimed indie gems where you play as a ginger cat roaming through a cyberpunk city.

With that in mind, we want to discover more games like Stray. We're particularly interested in titles where animals take the lead role, rather than just being sidekicks.

What are the best games like Stray?

Our list of games like Stray features a wide selection of titles. Some of them are more realistic than others, but they all have one thing in common - fuzzy creatures are at their center of their narrative! Curious to see them all? Read on!

Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey

Evolution is a fascinating process, and in Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey, you can experience it firsthand. Your journey begins in Neogene, Africa, some 10 million and 2 million years ago.

This TPP survival takes the concept of an animal simulation game very seriously. Your task is to create a society: take care of your clan's needs, grow in strength, and evolve. As you play, you'll need to be careful, as danger lurks around every corner, threatening the very existence of your species.

AWAY: The Survival Series

In AWAY: The Survival Series, you become a sugar glider trying to survive on Earth. Humanity is gone, but the world is still a dangerous place for any animal, let alone this little hero. 

You can also play as different animals, insects, and reptiles to see things from their perspective. However, to do so, you have to find them all yourself, which can get tricky with some rare species! The gameplay is quite addictive, as you'd expect from games like Stray.

Cult of the Lamb

While Cult of the Lamb may not be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about games for animal lovers, it's still an interesting option. In this title, you take on the role of a small lamb who quickly rises to become a cult leader. Your goal is to expand your sect as much as possible while eradicating the old gods and nonbelievers. 

You do this by recruiting new members and going on crusades while progressively building up your base. Despite its charming character design, Cult of the Lamb offers gameplay that's far from wholesome unless dark rituals sound cute to you.

Night in the Woods

Continuing our round-up of the best games where you play as an animal, we come to Night in the Woods. Here, you follow Mae, a college dropout, who returns to her hometown. Aside from reconnecting with her friends, who are zoomorphic creatures like herself, she also tries to unravel the town's mysteries.

Over the years, Night in the Woods has garnered widespread acclaim for its engaging narrative, sharp dialogue, and stellar soundtrack, all of which are well-deserved. If you haven't yet had the opportunity to check it out, consider this your invitation to dive in!

Endling - Extinction is Forever

Unlike some of the other picks on our list, humans are very much present in the world depicted in Endling - Extinction is Forever. This poses challenges for the fox family at the heart of the story as they struggle to find a safe haven amidst dangerous humans and wildlife. 

As you navigate this harsh environment, you also have to search for a lost cub while avoiding various threats. Hunt for food, care for your offspring, and strive to survive in the bleak, hostile environment.

Gibbon: Beyond the Trees

If you've ever watched documentaries about monkeys, you're already well aware of their impressive climbing skills. Gibbons, in particular, are masters of brachiation. The thrill of quickly swinging from one branch to another is exactly what you can experience in Gibbon: Beyond the Trees.

Once again, humans are your antagonists and will not hesitate to eliminate you at the first opportunity. The game offers addictive and dynamic gameplay while delving into the complex issues surrounding humanity's misdeeds and their detrimental impact on the environment.

Goat Simulator and Goat Simulator 3 (Included with PC Game Pass)

Everybody needs a good dose of chaos every now and then, and fortunately, Goat Simulator delivers just that. Imagine playing a Tony Hawk's game, but instead of performing cool tricks on a skateboard, you roam the streets as a wild goat. 

In one of the quirkiest (and most fun!) animal simulators around, the objective is simple: wreak as much havoc as possible. Lick everything you can, get high scores, and, most importantly, have a great time! You're sure to enjoy yourself no matter which entry you choose.

These titles and dozens more are also available on PC Game Pass, a gaming service from Microsoft. Check out the 1-month membership deals below.

Still not convinced? Check out our list of the best indie games on Game Pass to see what else the library has to offer.

KeyWe

KeyWe casts you as adorable kiwi birds—and dedicated postal workers at that. Meet the courageous protagonists, Debra and Jeff, who are committed to delivering the mail no matter what. Even in the face of challenges like bad weather, they're determined to fulfill their role. Luckily, you can join forces with a friend for a local co-op session or find a partner online to share the workload at the post office.

LOST EMBER

LOST EMBER, an action-packed adventure, stands out from other games with pets due to its fantasy elements. Its storyline revolves around an ancient civilization and its spiritual beliefs. In this world, the virtuous ascend directly to heaven upon death, while those deemed sinful must navigate their own path after reincarnation into animals.

Much of the gameplay centers around embodying a wolf, renowned for its agility, speed, and ability to cover vast distances. However, players also have to inhabit other forms to overcome some obstacles that require different capabilities.

Maneater (Included with PC Game Pass)

In many PC games where you play as animals, being hunted is a common theme, but Maneater flips the script with its unique approach. You take on the role of a young shark thrust into a fight for survival, seeking strength and vengeance against the fisherman who's wronged you.

To teach him a lesson, you have to indulge in a relentless feeding frenzy to evolve into a fearsome apex predator. With each evolution, you become more unstoppable, dominating not just the sea but also the land.

Okami HD

When a game still looks this good years after its original release, it's a testament to the dedication of the developers. While the HD version of Okami does enhance the graphics a bit, its timeless art style still shines through.

As the goddess Amaterasu in the form of a magnificent white wolf, you embark on a quest to defeat Orochi, a fearsome demon. Harness the power of the Celestial Brush and use it as both a weapon and a tool for crafting items. Master different techniques to unlock your true potential and triumph over Orochi's darkness.

Seasons After Fall

In Seasons After Fall, a mesmerizing 2D platformer, you're no ordinary fox. You possess a magical ability to manipulate the seasons at will, which has disrupted the rhythm of nature. To restore harmony, you set out to find the four Guardians of the Seasons and inherit their powers.

This unique gift will prove invaluable as you navigate your way through various challenges. Freeze bodies of water to create pathways, and hasten the arrival of spring to allow the growth of flowers that serve as climbing aids. You'll need your wits about you to overcome all the puzzles.

Shelter and Shelter 2

The Shelter series, as the name implies, is all about finding a haven. The primal instinct of every mother to secure the ideal refuge for her offspring is at the heart of these games where you play as an animal.

In the first installment, you take on the role of a badger who has to avoid conflict to survive. In the sequel, you embody a more powerful creature, a mother lynx. Though capable of defending herself against threats, protecting her cubs remains her top priority. Both installments feature a distinctive art style and captivating soundtracks, adding to the overall experience.

Untitled Goose Game

Of the animal games on Steam (and included in this list), Untitled Goose Game is the one that most closely resembles the Goat Simulator experience. It casts you as a rogue goose who stirs up trouble in a quiet, idyllic village. This premise is quite intriguing, isn't it?

As you play, you have to create as much chaos as possible by antagonizing the villagers and stealing their belongings. Interestingly, you can also team up with a Player 2 to form a duo of troublemaking geese. Peace was never an option here.

Little Kitty, Big City (Included with PC Game Pass)

Although Little Kitty, Big City isn't the most realistic animal game on the market, it's still a must-play for any cat lover. It lets you step into the paws of a feline protagonist who embarks on a grand adventure. 

As you navigate through a bustling cityscape, you'll encounter various creatures and complete many quests. Your ultimate goal, however, is to find your way back home. Adding to the fun are a variety of adorable hats that make your fuzzy character even cuter.

And that concludes our list. While each game offers unique gameplay, settings, and narratives, they all feature remarkable creatures embarking on epic adventures.

We hope you've found something you like in this selection. If you did, we'd love to know which titles caught your attention the most. Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments!