To unlock the full potential of your drone companion, B-12, in Stray, follow these detailed steps and strategies designed for exploration and interaction.

How to Unlock and Activate B-12

1. Locate B-12 in Chapter 3 – The Flat:
– Begin your adventure in Chapter 3, specifically within the area known as “The Flat.” Your goal here is to find and activate B-12.
– Explore the Apartment: Thoroughly search the apartment for necessary power sources and clues needed to unlock B-12’s capsule.
– Unlock the Side Room: Attend to any locks or barriers that might be preventing access to the side room where B-12 resides.
– Activate B-12: Upon finding the inactive drone, interact with it to awaken B-12. Following this interaction, B-12 becomes your AI-controlled companion and also provides a backpack for your cat, enabling item collection throughout your journey.

2. Puzzle Solutions:
– Prepare to solve various puzzles in the apartment, which may involve manipulating objects or connecting power sources. Resolving these puzzles is crucial to accessing and activating B-12.

Maximizing B-12’s Abilities for Exploration

Once activated, B-12 offers numerous capabilities vital for exploration:

– Translation:
– B-12 excels at translating the robotic language, which serves as your primary communication method with the game’s inhabitants. Understanding robot dialogues will help you receive quests, hints, and enrich the story experience.

– Item Collection and Inventory Management:
– The drone digitizes items for storage in your inventory. Be proactive in interacting with highlighted objects to gather resources and memories crucial for progression and unlocking collectibles.

– Activating Devices:
– B-12 can interact with electronic locks and other devices scattered throughout the city. Keep an eye out for interactive panels, as B-12 will typically prompt you to utilize them.

– Light and Defluxor:
– Flashlight: A basic light source provided by B-12 for illuminating darker areas ensures you can navigate safely.
– Defluxor: In chapters 7 and 8, B-12 equips you with this tool, which emits UV light to eliminate hostile creatures known as Zurks, making passage through infested zones much safer.

– Puzzle Assistance:
– Collaborative puzzles will require both your cat and B-12. Utilize B-12’s abilities to interact with machinery or decode messages to progress.

– Collecting Secrets and Memories:
– B-12 can scan and collect secrets, including its own memories, which contribute to the game’s lore. Access your memories via the backpack screen and ensure thorough exploration to enrich your narrative experience.

– Task Reminders:
– If you find yourself stuck, ask B-12 about your current objectives to receive helpful reminders on what tasks are at hand.

Tips for Optimal Use of B-12

– Interact with Everything:
– Engage with all robots, items, and devices to maximize interaction potential. This strategy will help you avoid missing critical items or important lore.

– Strategic Use of Light and Defluxor:
– Utilize B-12’s flashlight to navigate dark areas while conserving energy. Save the Defluxor for encounters with Zurks to ensure you are not caught unprepared.

– Pay Attention to B-12’s Dialogues:
– Listen to B-12, as it will often share valuable context, hints, or narrative details that enhance your gameplay experience.

– Collaborate on Complex Puzzles:
– For intricate environmental puzzles, seek ways for B-12 to assist, whether it be through code translation, machine operation, or door unlocking.

By effectively utilizing B-12’s capabilities—translation, item collection, device activation, lighting, puzzle-solving, and memory gathering—you unlock the full essence of your journey in Stray and experience the world as intended. Happy exploring!