As an avid gamer and content creator with a passion for all things Stray, I‘ve carefully explored every nook and cranny of this incredible cybercity. In my quest to uncover all secrets, I prioritized tracking down the 4 elusive Energy Drinks hidden amongst the vending machines.
These Energy Drinks quickly became my obsession – not just because they restore my cat‘s stamina upon drinking, but primarily due to their role as currency at Azooz‘s shop. As I discovered early on, his shop holds unique collectible upgrades that would enhance my exploration dramatically.
So why exactly are Energy Drinks so valuable in Stray? Let‘s take a quick dive into their backstory…
Why Energy Drinks Matter in Stray‘s World
As the robot population grew in this futuristic cybercity, their engineers searched for renewable fuel sources. They wanted to avoid fossil fuels and discovered a groundbreaking method to efficiently recycle residual pollution back into clean energy.
The scientists leveraged cutting-edge filtration technology to harvest the pollutants emitted by surrounding factories. They then formulated a glowing blue liquid concentrated with this reclaimed energy.
Although synthetic in nature, this neon blue fluid ended up being highly compatible with both robot and organic biology. It was loaded with renewably-sourced energy to recharge mechanical parts and revitalize living cells.
The scientists encased it into convenient drink cans modeled after vintage human beverages. These Energy Drinks, as they labeled them, became widely manufactured and distributed across the cybercity through vending machines.
Over time, the resourceful Slums population also realized Energy Drinks made for the perfect currency and bargaining chips. Valuable items could be obtained by exchanging a set number of drink cans with local shopkeepers.
So for us Stray cat explorers, stockpiling Energy Drinks allows us to purchase gear that significantly empowers our urban adventures!
Where To Find All 4 Energy Drink Cans
As soon as I reached the Slums, I began scouring every alleyway in search of precious Energy Drinks. Although vending machines appear frequently throughout the environments, only 4 of them in the entire gameworld contain drink cans.
Based on my extensive exploration of the Slums and surrounding rooftops, I‘ve mapped out the exact location of all 4 Energy Drinks, as highlighted on the map above.
Here are step-by-step directions for finding each energy drinkcan in Stray:
Energy Drink #1
When first arriving at the Slums, you‘ll notice a sleeping NPC named Morusque on an overturned trash can. This is your reference point for the first Energy Drink.
Stand directly facing Morusque, then turn around 180 degrees to spot a bright neon sign with twin vending machines glowing underneath.
Out of these two machines, only the right one contains an Energy Drink. Approach it and press X to claim your first drink can!
Energy Drink #2
Next, wander down the alley just beyond where you met the first Slums NPC, Kosma. You‘ll recognize Kosma by the white powder spilled across the ground nearby.
Follow this alley until you reach the dead end, then turn left to spot another vending machine tucked against the wall.
Press X when prompted to claim the second available Energy Drink.
Energy Drink #3
The third Energy Drink requires some rooftop navigating. From the ground level near Grandma NPC, spot the cloths hanging between buildings that lead upwards.
Use your feline jumping and wall running abilities to follow this path up onto the rooftops. Here you‘ll discover a friendly NPC nonchalantly sweeping trash near the edge.
Stand directly facing the NPC sweeper, then quickly rotate the camera 180 degrees behind you to spot one more vending machine! Approach and press X to claim the third available Energy Drink.
Energy Drink #4
For the final Energy Drink in Stray, return to the open rooftop zone with the previous NPC sweeper. Run past the friendly sweeper bot until you notice the small metal barrel ahead, which should stand out given the environment.
Just beyond the metal barrel sits an inclined pathway leading downward. Follow it to the left, around corner, then stop at the edge. Glance left once more to spot one final vending machine!
You‘ll need to carefully walk the narrow ledge around to reach it. But pressing X will reward you with the 4th and last obtainable Energy Drink in Stray!
What To Purchase from Azooz
After finally collecting all 4 Energy Drinks, I quickly brought them to the shopkeeper Azooz expecting rich rewards.
And I was not disappointed…his shop is filled with incredibly useful collectibles that are only purchasable via Energy Drinks!
Based on my own trials and errors, here is what you should prioritize buying with your scarce supply of Energy Drinks:
Sheet Music #4 – 65 Cans
The rarest and most expensive item in Azooz‘s shop is Sheet Music #4. As a musician myself, I knew collecting all music sheets across the city would enable me to jam out by playing keyboard!
So I didn‘t hesitate splurging 65 cans in exchange for this final sheet music. Playing keyboard was one of my favorite hidden secrets discovered in Stray!
Electrical Cable – 30 Cans
After securing the music sheet, I next purchased the Electrical Cable for 30 cans. I had stumbled upon rumors of a secret poncho armor hidden away, which required a cable to access.
Turns out the poncho grants enhanced defense against the sinister Zurks, so obtaining it helped ease my paranoid fear of their 1-hit K.O. attacks!
Mysterious Relic – 20 Cans
Another coveted item I purchased was the Mysterious Relic for 20 cans. Apparently this item would help progress the story campaign related to my companion robot, B-12.
Since B-12 and I had grown rather close, I wanted to help uncover more about his mysterious origins! The Ancient Relic ended up being integral to accessing hidden details about his past.
Optional Purchases
After buying those three essential collectibles, I still had a few Energy Drink cans left in my inventory. Here‘s what else I was able to pick up with my leftover currency:
- Memory Stick – 50 Cans
- Adds a bit more backstory
- Strange Eye – 15 Cans
- Purely cosmetic decoration piece
I wouldn‘t recommend prioritizing these optional items over the poncho cable, music sheet, or relic described earlier. But if you come across surplus Energy Drinks, they offer some bonus collectible value.
Quick Recap – Energy Drink Locations
If you‘re still struggling to find all the Energy Drinks, no worries! Here‘s a quick text recap of the exact locations in order:
- Face Morusque NPC, then turn around to right vending machine
- Pass Kosma NPC, go left at end of alley
- On rooftops face sweeping NPC, then turn around
- Past sweeping NPC, go left at barrel down to ledge
I‘d highly recommend reviewing the annotated map included earlier in this guide as a helpful visual reference!
Pro Tips for Efficient Exploration
Based on my deep dives into Stray‘s world over multiple playthroughs, here are some pro tips worth noting:
Optimal Order
I‘d recommend collecting Energy Drinks #2, #3, and #4 first before circling back for #1 last. This prevents excess backtracking to Azooz‘s shop.
Use Abilities
Frequently use your Flash and Sprint abilities when navigating the environments and platforming. This will speed up exploration dramatically!
100% Drop Rate
Vending machines containing Energy Drinks have a 100% drop rate. So no need to return to the same machine multiple times!
The Hunt Continues…
As an avid completionist gamer, my quest to discover Stray‘s secrets continues. Although tracking down these Energy Drink locations represented a key milestone, I‘m still searching every corner to uncover more hidden collectibles.
I welcome you to join the hunt! Let me know in comments if any other rare mysteries remain elusive in your playthrough. Now that we‘re powered up with music sheets, armor upgrades, and ancient artifacts thanks to Energy Drinks, I believe no secret shall evade us much longer!
Happy exploring, gamers 🙂
