Software:Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical

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Short description: 2023 video game
Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical
Developer(s)Summerfall Studios
Publisher(s)Humble Games
Writer(s)
  • David Gaider
Composer(s)
  • Austin Wintory
  • Montaigne
  • Tripod
EngineUnreal Engine
Platform(s)
Release10 August 2023
Genre(s)Role-playing, adventure
Mode(s)Single-player

Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical is a role-playing adventure video game developed by Summerfall Studios and published by Humble Games. The game was released on 10 August 2023, for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S.

Synopsis

In Stray Gods, players assume the role of Grace, a college dropout who finds herself accused of murdering the last muse. Grace must prove her innocence to a pantheon of Greek gods, consisting of Athena, Apollo, Persephone, and Aphrodite, all within seven days. She must learn to wield her newly developed powers of music to find out the truth behind Calliope’s death.[1] Players select dialogue choices, which change the lyrics, musical style, and even outcome of the songs.

Cast and characters

  • Laura Bailey as Grace, a young singer who inherits the power of the last muse, Calliope.
  • Janina Gavankar as Freddie, Grace's best friend.
  • Ashley Johnson as Calliope.
  • Erika Ishii as Hermes.
  • Felicia Day as Athena, Goddess of Wisdom and leader of the Chorus.
  • Troy Baker as Apollo, God of Prophecy and member of the Chorus.
  • Mary Elizabeth McGlynn as Persephone, former Queen of the Underworld and member of the Chorus.
  • Merle Dandridge as Aphrodite, Goddess of Love and member of the Chorus.
  • Khary Payton as Pan.
  • Kimberly Brooks as the Oracle.
  • Abubakar Salim as Eros.
  • Lauren "Lolo" Spencer as Venus.
  • Allegra Clark as Hecate.
  • Rahul Kohli as Asterion, the Minotaur.
  • Anjali Bhimani as Medusa.
  • Anthony Rapp as Orpheus.

Development and release

Stray Gods is developed by Melbourne, Australia-based developer Summerfall Studios. It is written by founder David Gaider, formerly of BioWare, and scored by Austin Wintory, composer of Journey. The songs were co-written by Wintory with singer Montaigne and the Australian musical trio Tripod. Stray Gods uses 2D hand-illustrated visuals, featuring comic book-style aesthetics with stylized character design.

Originally named Chorus: An Adventure Musical, the game had successfully crowdfunded on Fig.co in 2019, after it was announced at PAX AUS in an opening keynote by David Gaider.[2] The name change was announced on March 18, 2022, as well as Summerfall Studios’ partnership with Humble Games for Stray Gods.[3]

Chiefly inspired by Buffy the Vampire Slayer's musical episode "Once More, With Feeling", the developers of Stray Gods wanted to make a video game that combines hallmarks of musical theatre with interactive storytelling.[4]

The game includes branching narrative paths, where player choice will not only determine the story and tone of the dialogue spoken, but also the melodies, lyrics, and styles of music that Grace sings.[5] According to Austin Wintory, the "combinatorial potential of the songs" in Stray Gods is so large that it is virtually impossible for anyone to have the same playthrough twice.[6] In June 2023, Summerfall and Humble announced that the game will also be available on all major home consoles alongside its Steam release in August.[7]

On April 12, 2023, Summerfall Studios and Humble Games unveiled the cast of Stray Gods in a live event at the El Rey Theatre in Los Angeles.[8] Titled Myth & Music, the one-hour event was hosted by Troy Baker and livestreamed on Critical Role's Twitch channel. With live performances by Laura Bailey, Mary Elizabeth McGlynn, and Ashley Johnson, Myth & Music also included various Q&As which revealed the casting of Felicia Day, Rahul Kohli, Anjali Bhimani, and Janina Gavankar.[9] The full cast list was revealed at the event.[10]

On June 27, 2024, Summerfall Studios released a DLC called Stray Gods: Orpheus. It features six additional songs by the original songwriters, as well as one co-written with Tom Cardy.[11]

Reception

Reception
Aggregate score
AggregatorScore
Metacritic(NS) 70/100[12]
(PC) 76/100[13]
(PS5) 78/100[14]
(XSXS) 70/100[15]
Review scores
PublicationScore
Destructoid7.5/10[16]
Eurogamer3/5[17]
Game Informer8.25/10[18]
GameSpot9/10[19]
GamesRadar+4/5[20]
Hardcore Gamer4/5[21]
IGN7/10[22]
PC Gamer (US)81/100[23]
RPGamer4/5[24]
Shacknews8/10[26]
The Guardian3/5[27]
VideoGamer.com7/10[28]

Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical received "generally favorable" reviews for the Windows and PlayStation 5 versions while the Nintendo Switch and Xbox Series X/S versions received "mixed or average" reviews from critics, according to review aggregator website Metacritic.[12][13][14][15]

Accolades

It was an Honorable Mention for "Excellence in Audio" and "Excellence in Narrative" at the 2024 Independent Games Festival Awards,[29] and was an Honorable Mention for "Best Debut" at the 24th Game Developers Choice Awards.[30] The game was also nominated for "Game, Original Adventure", "Original Light Mix Score, New IP", "Performance in a Comedy, Supporting" with Janina Gavankar as Freddie, Mary Elizabeth McGlynn as Persephone, and Felicia Day as Athena, and "Song, Original or Adapted" with "Adrift", and won "Performance in a Comedy, Lead" with Laura Bailey as Grace, and "Writing in a Comedy" at the NAVGTR Awards.[31][32] It also won the award for "Best Music for an Indie Game", "Best New Original IP Audio", and "Best Original Song" at the 22nd Annual Game Audio Network Guild (G.A.N.G) Awards, whereas its other nominations were for "Best Ensemble Cast Performance" and "Creative and Technical Achievement in Music".[33][34]

Year Award Category Result Ref(s).
2023 Australian Game Developer Awards Game Of The Year Won [35]
Golden Joystick Awards Best Audio Nominated [36]
2024 Grammy Awards Best Score Soundtrack for Video Games and Other Interactive Media Nominated [37][38]
GLAAD Media Awards Outstanding Video Game Nominated [39]
British Academy Games Awards Debut Game Nominated [40]
Games for Change Awards Best in Innovation Won [41][42]

References

  1. ↑ McClure, Deven (15 September 2022). "David Gaider & Liam Esler Interview: Stray Gods, A Roleplaying Musical". https://screenrant.com/david-gaider-liam-esler-interview/. 
  2. ↑ Brown, Fraser (11 October 2019). "Chorus is an interactive mythological musical from RPG veterans". https://www.pcgamer.com/chorus-is-an-interactive-mythological-musical-from-rpg-veterans/. 
  3. ↑ @summerfallgames (March 17, 2022). "We are so pleased to announce a partnership with @PlayHumbleGames and a brand new name for our debut title. Introducing...✨STRAY GODS: The Roleplaying Musical✨". https://twitter.com/summerfallgames/status/1504474321368268805. 
  4. ↑ Williams, Leah J. (28 August 2022). "Stray Gods wouldn't exist without Buffy, and the Australian Government". https://www.gameshub.com/news/features/stray-gods-musical-development-funding-release-27798/. 
  5. ↑ Andreadis, Kosta (11 October 2019). "Chorus is Part Musical and Part Adventure Game, with an All Star Cast". https://www.ign.com/articles/2019/10/11/chorus-is-part-musical-and-part-adventure-game-with-an-all-star-cast. 
  6. ↑ Brosofsky, Ben (17 April 2023). "Stray Gods Myth & Music Event Previews A World of Possibilities". https://screenrant.com/stray-gods-myth-music-preview-event/. 
  7. ↑ Romano, Sal (June 11, 2023). "Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical adds PS5, Xbox Series, PS4, Xbox One, and Switch versions". https://www.gematsu.com/2023/06/stray-gods-the-roleplaying-musical-adds-ps5-xbox-series-ps4-xbox-one-and-switch-versions. 
  8. ↑ Romano, Sal (13 April 2023). "Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical launches August 3". https://www.gematsu.com/2023/04/stray-gods-the-roleplaying-musical-launches-august-3. 
  9. ↑ Vitale, Adam (13 April 2023). "Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical launches on August 3 for PC". https://www.rpgsite.net/news/14040-stray-gods-the-roleplaying-musical-launches-on-august-3-for-pc. 
  10. ↑ Jackson, Zach (13 April 2023). "Aussie-Made Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical Is Hitting The Stage In August". https://www.well-played.com.au/aussie-made-stray-gods-the-roleplaying-musical-is-hitting-the-stage-in-august/. 
  11. ↑ "Stray Gods: Orpheus adds six new songs, coming June 27 to all platforms" (in en-US). 2024-06-21. https://www.godisageek.com/2024/06/stray-gods-orpheus-adds-six-new-songs-coming-june-27-to-all-platforms/. 
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 "Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical for Nintendo Switch Reviews". https://www.metacritic.com/game/stray-gods-the-roleplaying-musical/critic-reviews/?platform=nintendo-switch. Retrieved 9 August 2023. 
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 "Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical for PC Reviews". https://www.metacritic.com/game/stray-gods-the-roleplaying-musical/critic-reviews/?platform=pc. Retrieved 9 August 2023. 
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 "Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical for PlayStation 5 Reviews". https://www.metacritic.com/game/stray-gods-the-roleplaying-musical/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-5. Retrieved 9 August 2023. 
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 "Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical for Xbox Series X Reviews". https://www.metacritic.com/game/stray-gods-the-roleplaying-musical/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-series-x. Retrieved 9 August 2023. 
  16. ↑ Perez, Cody (9 August 2023). "Review: Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical". https://www.destructoid.com/reviews/review-stray-gods-the-roleplaying-musical/. Retrieved 9 August 2023. 
  17. ↑ Nightingale, Ed (9 August 2023). "Stray Gods: A Roleplaying Musical review - Greek melodrama fails to reach lofty expectations". https://www.eurogamer.net/stray-gods-a-roleplaying-musical-review-greek-melodrama-fails-to-reach-lofty-expectations. Retrieved 9 August 2023. 
  18. ↑ Harte, Charles (9 August 2023). "Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical Review - Hades Meets Hadestown". https://www.gameinformer.com/review/stray-gods-the-roleplaying-musical/hades-meets-hadestown. Retrieved 9 August 2023. 
  19. ↑ Ramée, Jordan (9 August 2023). "Stray Gods: A Roleplaying Musical Review - Worthy Of An Encore". https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/stray-gods-a-roleplaying-musical-review-worthy-of-an-encore/1900-6418099/. Retrieved 9 August 2023. 
  20. ↑ Wald, Heather (9 August 2023). "Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical review: "Demands more than one encore"". https://www.gamesradar.com/stray-gods-the-roleplaying-musical-review/. Retrieved 9 August 2023. 
  21. ↑ LeClair, Kyle (9 August 2023). "Review: Stray Gods". https://hardcoregamer.com/reviews/review-stray-gods/460036/. Retrieved 9 August 2023. 
  22. ↑ Liao, Shannon (9 August 2023). "Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical Review". https://www.ign.com/articles/stray-gods-the-roleplaying-musical-review. Retrieved 9 August 2023. 
  23. ↑ Taylor, Mollie (16 August 2023). "Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical review". https://www.pcgamer.com/stray-gods-the-roleplaying-musical-review/. Retrieved 9 August 2023. 
  24. ↑ Wachter, Sam (9 August 2023). "Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical Review". https://rpgamer.com/review/stray-gods-the-roleplaying-musical-review/. Retrieved 9 August 2023. 
  25. ↑ Bowling, Audra (9 August 2023). "Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical Review". https://www.rpgfan.com/review/stray-gods-the-roleplaying-musical/. Retrieved 9 August 2023. 
  26. ↑ Mejia, Ozzie (9 August 2023). "Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical review: Take a bow". https://www.shacknews.com/article/136588/stray-gods-the-roleplaying-musical-review-score. Retrieved 9 August 2023. 
  27. ↑ Taylor, Josh (15 August 2023). "Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical review – a mythical gig where you shape the songs". https://www.theguardian.com/games/2023/aug/15/stray-gods-the-roleplaying-musical-review-a-mythical-gig-where-you-shape-the-songs. Retrieved 9 August 2023. 
  28. ↑ Johnson, Odhran (9 August 2023). "Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical review - almost all the right notes". https://www.videogamer.com/reviews/stray-gods-the-roleplaying-musical-review/. Retrieved 9 August 2023. 
  29. ↑ "Visai Games' 'Venba' Leads Finalists for the 2024 IGF Awards". 2024-01-11. https://igf.com/article/visai-games-venba-leads-finalists-2024-igf-awards. Retrieved 2024-01-31. 
  30. ↑ Sinclair, Brendan (2024-01-16). "Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Baldur's Gate 3 top GDC Award nominations". https://www.gamesindustry.biz/zelda-tears-of-the-kingdom-baldurs-gate-3-top-gdc-award-nominations. 
  31. ↑ "Marvel's Spider-Man 2, Stray Gods, and Final Fantasy XVI top NAVGTR Award nominations". 2024-01-30. https://navgtr.org/2023-nominees-topped-by-spider-man-2-stray-gods-ffxvi/. 
  32. ↑ "Baldur's Gate III wins Game of the Year from NAVGTR®". 2024-02-27. https://navgtr.org/2023-winners-are-baldurs-gate-iii-msm2-hifi-rush/. 
  33. ↑ Brew, Caroline; Wu, Valerie (2023-12-13). "'Star Wars Jedi: Survivor' and 'Mortal Kombat 1' Among 2024 Game Audio Network Guild Awards Nominees". Variety. https://variety.com/2023/gaming/news/game-audio-network-guild-awards-nominations-mortal-kombat-1-star-wars-1235835282/. Retrieved 2024-03-06. 
  34. ↑ Hutchinson, Sabrina (2024-03-22). "22nd G.A.N.G. Awards Nominees [sic – Full List"]. https://www.audiogang.org/22nd-g-a-n-g-awards-nominees-full-list-2/. 
  35. ↑ Smith, David (2023-10-04). "Australian Game Developer Awards 2023: The Complete List Of Winners" (in en-AU). https://www.kotaku.com.au/2023/10/australian-game-developer-awards-2023-the-complete-list-of-winners/. 
  36. ↑ Loveridge, Sam (2023-11-10). "Here are all the Golden Joystick Awards 2023 winners" (in en). https://www.gamesradar.com/golden-joystick-awards-2023-winners/. 
  37. ↑ Bonthuys, Darryn (November 15, 2023). "Snubbed At The Game Awards, Stray Gods Gets Grammy Nomination" (in en-US). https://www.gamespot.com/articles/snubbed-at-the-game-awards-stray-gods-gets-grammy-nomination/1100-6519187/. 
  38. ↑ Smith, David (2023-11-10). "Stray Gods, The Aussie-Made Musical RPG, Was Just Nominated For A Grammy" (in en-AU). https://www.kotaku.com.au/2023/11/stray-gods-the-aussie-made-musical-rpg-was-just-nominated-for-a-grammy/. 
  39. ↑ "GLAAD Announces Nominees For The 35th Annual GLAAD Media Awards". 2024-01-17. https://glaad.org/releases/glaad-announces-nominees-for-the-35th-annual-glaad-media-awards/. 
  40. ↑ Hill, Mark Joseph (2024-03-07). "BAFTA Games Awards Nominees Announced". https://gamerant.com/bafta-game-awards-nominees/. 
  41. ↑ Kerr, Chris (2024-05-29). "Exclusive: Here are your 2024 Games for Change Awards finalists". https://www.gamedeveloper.com/design/here-are-your-2024-games-for-change-awards-finalists. 
  42. ↑ Kerr, Chris (2024-06-28). "Venba, Stray Gods, A Highland Song honored at 2024 Games for Change Awards". https://www.gamedeveloper.com/marketing/venba-stray-gods-a-highland-song-honored-at-2024-games-for-change-awards. 



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