An adorable new game is coming to PC and the Nintendo Switch on September 26th, called The Spirit and the Mouse. It looks like the perfect game for fans of Stray, as the player takes the role of a little mouse named Lila as she explores a small French village called Sainte-et-Claire. Overall, the game looks wholesome with the protagonist able to listen and help troubled villages while collecting happiness for new abilities.
The mouse is not alone either, because like the cat from Stray, Lila the mouse gets a companion. Instead of an A.I., though, this companion is a spirit named Lumion. Lumion is not the only spirit in the game either, as there are others that can be met that are called Kibblins. Since this game is set to come out soon, fans of Stray should mark their calendars for this adorable little gem.
About The Game
Based on the trailer, the game seems to be about a mouse struck by lightning. The mouse survives and meets an electric spirit and the two begin to work together to help the human village recover from mischief wrought by the Kibblins. The mouse gets electric powers, giving her the ability to travel through wires around town. She also works to befriend the Kibblins to help her help the human village.
Like Stray, the game is narrative focused. While playing as a little animal, the player can listen to the concerns of villagers and help them out. Exploring is also greatly encouraged, and the world is quite interesting from the viewpoint of a mouse. According to the game's Steam description, players can uncover secrets at their own pace, solve character-driven puzzles, play minigames, and collect happiness to get new abilities.
Another element that brings The Spirit and the Mouse close to Stray is that it is also an indie game. It was developed by Alblune, a two-person studio run by Alex Strook and Lucie Lescuyer. According to Alblune's Twitter page, the indie team seeks to focus on non-violent games in creative universes that can be enjoyed by people of all ages.
In Comparison To Stray
Since Stray came out this summer and got overwhelming amounts of positive reviews, it is hard not to compare it with The Spirit and the Mouse. Both involve animals with fantastical sidekicks, urban exploration, and what appears to be a wholesome view into the lives of the townspeople. There are, though, some key differences.
One major difference is that the location does not appear to be dystopian. In Stray, the Walled City had dark undertones of human extinction. The Spirit and the Mouse appears more innocent, with humans still alive and well in a sleepy French village and no dystopia in sight. While Stray was cyberpunk, The Spirit and the Mouse seems more fantastical due to its presence of electric spirits and electric-based mouse abilities.
Another key difference is the fact that players will be a mouse instead of a cat. This will change the way exploration works. While Stray focused much on how cats can explore a city vertically and through lots of jumping, The Spirit and the Mouse will likely use the mouse's uniquely small size to get into places. As shown in the game trailer, the mouse will also be able to travel through wires. The Spirit and the Mouse isn't coming to PlayStation just yet, which may be an obstacle for some Stray fans, but it'll still be accessible on a few different platforms, so fans should keep an eye on it when it launches this month.
The Spirit and the Mouse is coming out on September 26th, 2022, for the Nintendo Switch and PC.
