Stray Children

The main pros of the game

• Atmosphere and Art Style: The game is praised for its beautiful visuals and unique aesthetic, reminiscent of classic RPGs. The art direction and character designs are often described as charming and nostalgic.
• Soundtrack: Many users highlight the music as wonderful and fitting for the game's tone, enhancing the overall experience.
• Writing and Story: The narrative is considered heartfelt and thought-provoking, with some users finding it deeply resonant and emotionally impactful.
• Nostalgic Elements: Fans of earlier titles from Onion Games, like "Moon," appreciate the callbacks and the overall vibe, which feels like a culmination of the developers' experiences over the years.
• Engaging Puzzles: Some users enjoy the challenge of the puzzles and the trial-and-error nature of the combat system, finding it rewarding to figure out the correct dialogue options.

The main cons of the game

• Combat System: The battle mechanics, particularly the "TALK" feature, are criticized for being tedious, confusing, and often requiring guesswork. Many users find the combat frustrating due to unclear hints and the need to repeat long sequences after mistakes.
• Linear Design and Missable Content: The game is described as overly linear, with points of no return and missable items that can ruin a completionist run. This aspect frustrates players who enjoy exploration and backtracking.
• Lack of Quality of Life Features: Users express disappointment over the absence of features like the ability to skip dialogue or speed up cutscenes, which can make repeated playthroughs tedious.
• Localization Issues: Some players feel that certain nuances and clues may have been lost in translation, leading to confusion in gameplay.

The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users

• Quality of Life Improvements: Players desire features such as dialogue skipping, faster movement options, and additional save slots to enhance the gameplay experience.
• More Intuitive Combat Mechanics: Many users suggest that the combat system could benefit from clearer hints and a more straightforward approach to the "TALK" options to reduce frustration.
• Exploration Elements: A desire for a more open-world structure or the ability to revisit areas freely is frequently mentioned, as players miss the exploration aspects found in previous Onion Games titles.
• Guidance for Puzzles and Combat: Users call for better hints or guidance systems to assist players in navigating the more cryptic elements of the game, making it less reliant on trial and error.

Summary

• Overall, while "Stray Children" is celebrated for its artistic qualities and emotional depth, it faces significant criticism for its gameplay mechanics and design choices that can detract from the overall experience.

Summary generated on: November 9, 2025