How to Get Past the First Ventilation Fan in Stray

Stray features a variety of puzzles throughout its gameplay, some of which can take a bit longer to work out. Here's how to get past the very first ventilation fan in Stray.

Stray's opening moments are a bit of an emotional rollercoaster. A little orange cat, roaming the empty, overgrown wastes of a seemingly abandoned world with its stray cat friends, loses its footing after a failed jump from one ledge to the next. The cat falls down into the depths below, landing injured and alone in a strange subterranean settlement. Its enough to make any animal lover wimper in distress.

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As you move through the dark and abandoned environments, jumping over ledges and slinking through small gaps, you eventually come across a deadend. A light glows from behind a ventilation fan, but its moving too fast for you to squeeze through. With no other visible exits, it's clear the only way forward is through the fan, but how?

Well, there's a trick to solving this puzzle. Here's what you need to know.

As you explore the small area, looking for ways to progress, you'll notice a small metal bucket. Most interactions in Stray are guided by button prompts, and moving close to this bucket will prompt you to interact with it.

Simply pick up the bucket and move it towards the ventilation fan. Move it close enough and the bucket will automatically lodge itself in the fan, stopping the blades and allowing you to move forward.

Stray is out now on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and PC.

Be sure to check out our review on Stray for a full breakdown on the game's offerings.