TL;DR
- Access Seamus’ apartment through the left-side boards he removes for you
- Reveal the hidden code panel by knocking pictures off the walls in the main room
- Solve the ‘Time will tell’ puzzle by reading clock hands pointing to 2, 5, 1, and 1
- Use the code 2511 to unlock Doc’s Secret Laboratory door
- Complete side quests for cables and poncho to repair the tracker and continue your adventure
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BlueTwelve Studio and Annapurna Interactive launched their acclaimed cyberpunk adventure Stray on July 19, immersing players in a beautifully rendered dystopian world. You assume the role of an adorable ginger cat navigating through a metropolis abandoned by humans but populated with robotic inhabitants, environmental hazards, and intricate puzzles. This title has rapidly become Annapurna Interactive’s most successful launch to date, praised for its unique feline perspective and atmospheric storytelling.
During your exploration of the Slums district, you’ll encounter Seamus, a distressed robot seeking assistance. His mission involves locating his father Doc’s concealed laboratory, which holds crucial answers about the city’s mysteries. This questline represents one of the game’s more complex puzzle sequences that many players find challenging.
Doc’s clandestine research facility is cleverly concealed within Seamus’ residence, hidden behind a disguised wall section. To reach his apartment, Seamus will dismantle one of the wooden panels situated to the left of the main doorway, creating an entry point perfectly sized for your feline protagonist. Once inside, present Seamus with Doc’s personal journal that you previously acquired, triggering the next phase of your investigation.
Expert players recommend thoroughly exploring Seamus’ living space before initiating the laboratory search. Check for additional interactive elements and environmental storytelling details that provide deeper context about Doc’s research and the family’s history within the city’s unique society.
To uncover the laboratory entrance, leap onto the central table and deliberately knock down all the framed pictures adorning the walls. This action reveals a previously hidden numerical keypad accompanied by the cryptic clue: “Time will tell.” This phrase directly references the multiple timepieces mounted throughout the room.
The puzzle solution requires careful observation of the clock faces distributed around the chamber. Each timepiece has its hands frozen at specific positions indicating numerical values. The definitive access code for Doc’s Secret Laboratory remains 2511, derived from reading the clock hands in a specific sequence. Many players mistakenly attempt to solve this puzzle by examining watches in random order, but the correct approach involves scanning them systematically from left to right.
Seasoned Stray players suggest these optimization techniques: First, clear the entire wall space by knocking down every picture frame in one continuous sequence. Second, methodically examine each clock by approaching them at eye level for optimal visibility. Third, document the numbers mentally before approaching the keypad to avoid input errors.
Avoid these frequent mistakes: attempting codes in incorrect sequences, missing subtle clock hand positions, or overlooking one of the timepieces entirely. The puzzle typically takes 3-5 minutes to solve when approached systematically, but can frustrate players for much longer without proper strategy. Understanding game mechanics like environmental interaction systems from other games can provide useful cross-reference for puzzle-solving approaches.
Within the laboratory’s left-side shelving units, you’ll discover a concealed container. Knock this box to the floor to reveal a malfunctioning tracking device critical for advancing the narrative. The local programmer Elliot possesses the technical expertise to restore this equipment to working condition.
Before Elliot will repair the tracker, you must complete two prerequisite tasks: purchase specialized cables from the local merchant and craft a traditional poncho for the elderly grandmother. These side quests not only progress the main storyline but also deepen your immersion in the game’s rich world. Once fulfilled, Elliot will successfully fix the tracking device, enabling you to pursue Doc’s trail through subsequent districts. The cable acquisition typically requires 8-10 minutes, while the poncho creation takes approximately 15 minutes depending on your familiarity with inventory management systems.
Action Checklist
- Locate Seamus’ apartment and have him remove the entry board
- Present Doc’s diary to Seamus to activate the laboratory quest
- Jump on table and knock down all wall pictures to reveal keypad
- Systematically examine all clock faces for hand positions
- Input code 2511 to unlock laboratory entrance
- Retrieve broken tracker from left shelves and begin side quests
No reproduction without permission：Game Guides » How to find Doc’s Secret Lab in Stray walkthrough. Where to get lab entrance code Complete guide to finding Doc's Secret Lab in Stray with code puzzle solutions and advanced strategies