Escape Simulator

Escape Simulator

The Escher Trap
ForestMagi 5 Apr, 2023 @ 9:33pm
Hints/Walkthrough
Puzzle: Shadow Spelling
You're going to be spelling a proper word, using the sliding and rotating block sculptures. Once you have that word, you can put it into the lock on the chest.
Each letter will be made using 2 of the sculptures.
It can help to play around and see which blocks can combine to make which letters.
The lock has a limited selection of letters, so focus only on letters that can be put into the lock.
The lock can take the letters E, S, C, H, E, R, I, and O.
The word might be used to describe a firefighter or other emergency responder.
The first letter is H, the last letter is C.
Lining up the sculptures to get an I can be a bit tricky.
ANSWER: HEROIC

Puzzle: Cube Construction
Each line of 3 Cube Fragments (CF) needs to make a complete 2x2 cube if put together.
It can be hard to visualise how the parts fit together, but you can narrow your options down by counting how many more cube segments you need in a row or column; each final cube will have 8 pieces.
If you have 2 CFs in a row or column, one with 3 pieces of the cube and one with 2 pieces of the cube, then the third CF must have 3 pieces of the cube.
Each row and column needs 2 CFs with 3 pieces and 1 CF with 2 pieces.
The final cubes will all have a distinct pattern on the outside, which you can use to help figure out if you have any 'clashing' pieces; pieces that take up the same spot will look identical to each other from all angles.
When facing the puzzle with the small tower in the upper right corner, the grid will have 2 CFs already placed in the left column, and 1 CF placed at the top of the right column. Start with the bottom spot in the left column; it needs a CF with 3 cube pieces.
ANSWER: Click for image[imgur.com]

Puzzle: Ponderous Polyhedron
There's a large polyhedron in the middle glass case, surrounded by 8 pedestals numbered 1 through 8. The number 9 is on the chest, along with arrow pointing up.
The lock has 9 segments and an arrow pointing right; it already has the number 9 in the first position, so you only need to worry about the other 8 numbers.
Each of the pedestals has a section of the large polyhedron floating above it.
You're building the polyhedron in the case using the segments floating above the pedestal, and using the number on the pedestals to give you the number for the lock.
The base of the polyhedron is on the chest.
The polyhedron is vertically symmetrical; the 1st and 9th pieces are the same piece but flipped vertically, as are the 2nd and 8th pieces, the 3rd and 7th pieces, and the 4th and 6th pieces.
The 5th (middle) piece will be unique.
9 is the base of the polyhedron, so the first digit in the lock is the given 9.
The next piece from the bottom is above pedestal 5.
The top of the polyhedron is above pedestal 2.
The middle of the polyhedron is above pedestal 7.
ANSWER:951476382

Puzzle: Wandering Words
Each of the panels in the 4x4 grid has a word on it.
If you step on the wrong word, a gate will block the far side and you'll have to return to hit the UNDO button on the cupboard.
Before you start, read all the words and see if you notice anything as you go.
You might have noticed that some of the words make new words when combined with other words; if you read from left to right, top to bottom, you might have noticed this with "Backfire" and "Firewood".
Is there a path that steps only on words that link up like this? You have to start with "Farm", so keep that in mind.
"Farmlock" and "Farmword" don't really work, but "Farmhand" does. Where can you go from "Hand"?
Even if you plot the correct path, the movement across can be quite tricky, so watch your feet.
Answer:FARM>HAND>RAIL>ROAD>SHOW>DOWN>PLAY>BACK>FIRE>WOOD>SHOP>KEEP>SAKE
Cheating Answer:The gate only blocks you if you step on a word that doesn't fit into the intended path, so you can just walk from RAIL to BACK, then straight over FIRE, PLAY, and KEEP to SAKE. Just make sure you don't hit LOCK, FIND, or TALE on your way.

Puzzle: Building Blocks
Using the patterned blocks, recreate the raised columns below.
The white marks on the blocks mark where the columns are in the large grid.
You can get a decent view from the puzzle area, but you can see it more clearly from the bridges on either side.
Each block represents a 3x3 area of the columns.
It might be easiest to start at the top row, middle right piece. It has to have 3 white squares in the top row to match the pattern, and only 1 block has that.
Work around the edge, then tackle the middle.
ANSWER:Click for image[imgur.com]

Puzzle: Precision Path
Arrange the 12 rooms inside the grid so that you can trigger all 3 clocks in one sprint.
The clock triggers are indicated by the arrows outside the grid.
Play around with the rooms, and see which ones have which doors open.
Some rooms have no open doors, and cannot be crossed.
Empty spots can be walked through, so you don't need to make a solid path.
You can freely walk into the main puzzle area, so you can trial-and-error you way to a solution.
There are probably many possible solutions, so don't get too hung up on finding the "right" one; as long as you can reach all 3 triggers in one go, consider the puzzle solved.
Don't forget Harry!
ANSWER:Click for one possible answer[imgur.com]

Puzzle: Clockwork Code
Each clock is missing 3 pieces of its face.
Each piece can only go onto the clock it's meant for.
Each clock will spell an 8-letter word, reading clockwise.
You can use the polyhedron halves on each piece to help with arrangement.
The word for the far left clock is "THEORISE".
The far right clock spells "RHETORIC"
The lock on the clock is similar to the one in Shadow Spelling; it can only accept E, S, C, H, R, I, O, and T.
Once you've gotten all the clocks correct, they'll help you spell the lock password.
Note the position of the hour hand on the clocks.
If you didn't grab him during Ponderous Polyhedron, this is your last chance to snuggle Raymond!
ANSWER:SECRET

Puzzle: Mirror Match
Arrange the chess pieces on the pedestal so they match the arrangement in the cluttered room.
You'll have to use the mirrors to see some of the pieces.
The black and white pieces on the pedestal are on 2 rings, but the reference pieces are all on a single ring. There are 8 spots on each ring, and 8 pieces to place.
It's the relative arrangement that matters; if there is a white piece between two black ones in the cluttered ring, then those black pieces must have an empty spot between them on the pedestal ring.
The Black Rook can't be moved.
The Black King and White Rook move as a pair.
ANSWER:Click for image[imgur.com]

Puzzle: Read Reflection
If you haven't already, take the Strange Book from the small table in the cluttered room, and put it on the drafting table across from the bookshelf.
Once Mirror Match is solved, a mirror came down. Attach it to the Slideable Arm.
What do you notice as you move the mirror across the book?
The edge of the page spells something when mirrored.
ANSWER:CHOICE

Puzzle: Book Bound
The Diamond Key you got from Read Reflection goes into the same keyhole as the Circle Key did, but it opens to a different room.
Changing the shaped key in the lock changes which room is open to you.
The lever on the wall in the Triangle Key room opens or closes a metal cage.
The Circle, Diamond, and Triangle Key rooms all have open books in them. What's strange about the text?
The Hexagon Key opens into a library of sorts, with a chest in the corner.
The books in the previous rooms will help you open the chest. Start with the Circle Key book.
The Diamond Key room's book has the letters C and H greyed out slightly.
ANSWER:ETCHES

Puzzle: Arranged Arithmetic

Use the keys to make a correct mathematical equation.
The Circle Key is 1. The Diamond Key is 4.
The order of the keys matters.
The mirror on the wall slides left and right. Can you spot anything that might help?
The bottom cupboards of the bookshelf will tell you what number you need as your answer.
ANSWER:4x3+6-1 (Diamond Key, Triangle Key, Hexagon Key, Circle Key)

Puzzle: Painting Panels
The picture on the table should look familiar.
It's the same as the one on the wall in Shadow Spelling.
Well, ALMOST the same.
You need to make the 6 sections of this picture match the large one.
You can go back and forth between this room and the Circle Key room as much as you need.
ANSWER:Click for image[imgur.com]

Puzzle: Caged Key
Another metal cage holds a key.
How did you get the first cage open, back in Book Bound?
Give Marley a pet before you leave!
ANSWER:Flip the switch in the Triangle Room to swap the open/closed status of the cage.

Puzzle: Rook Rings
The rooks and table can be used to spin the lines in the floor.
The outer ring of lines doesn't move.
Work from the outside in, making sure all the lines link up properly to the outer ring.
The floor has the name ESCHER and the numbers 1 through 6 around the rim; the lock needs 6 letters to open.
Each letter is linked to a number by the lines in the floor.
Like previous puzzles with letter locks, this one will spell a word.
If you've lined them up properly, C should be linked to 1, and S to 6.
ANSWER: CHEERS

Puzzle: Key Conundrum
The door of each safe will have a statement inside of it.
The key you put into that safe must match that clue; the first says "Even Sides", so only a key with a shape that has even sides will work (Diamond Key, Hexagon Key, Star Key, and Moon Key).
Keys that do not fit the criteria cannot be put in the lock.
Only 2 safes can ever be open; once the next safe in line has a key put inside, it will close and that key cannot be used for another safe.
Start with trial and error; you're going to be puzzling a bit blind until you know what needs to go into each safe, but you can get pretty far just by guesswork.
All 8 keys will go into a safe. Only 1 arrangement will work.

The possible options for each safe are below. I recommend at least getting the 8th safe open before reading any further.
Safe 1:The Diamond, Hexagon, Star, and Moon Keys all have an even number of sides.
Safe 2:The Circle, Triangle, Pentagon, and Strange Keys all have an odd number of sides.
Safe 3:The Circle, Triangle, Diamond, and Hexagon Keys were all used in a previous puzzle (Arranged Arithmetic).
Safe 4:The rooms opened by the Circle, Diamond, and Star Key all have clocks in them.
Safe 5:The Hexagon, Star, and Strange Keys all have more than 5 sides.
Safe 6:The Circle and Moon Keys have round sides.
Safe 7:The Star and Moon Keys are seen at night.
Safe 8:The Circle Key is the only option.

You can logic out which key goes into which safe based on this information.
Safe 8 must have the Circle Key, so safe 6 must have the Moon Key. Safe 7 now only has the Star Key as an option, leaving safe 4 is with just the Diamond Key. That leaves safe 1 with only the Hexagon Key, which restricts safe 3 to the Triangle Key and safe 5 to the Strange Key. That leaves only the Pentagon Key left, which goes in safe 2.
ANSWER:Hexagon Key, Pentagon Key, Triangle Key, Diamond Key, Strange Key, Moon Key, Star Key, Circle Key.

Puzzle: Genius Genetics
Each of the lizards have some particular traits that make them different from the rest.
The traits are Grey Back Feet, Triangle Side Stripes, Head Bumps, Thumbs on Front Feet, Back Spikes, White Back Mark, Enlarged Eyes, and Bent Tongue.
Some lizards have traits that are combinations of the traits of 2 other lizards.
Lizards face their 'offspring', passing on any of the above traits they have.
You can use the traits of 'offspring' to figure out the traits of the 'parents'.
The lizard in the top right has Enlarged Eyes.
The lizard in the bottom left has Thumbs on Front Feet.
The central lizard will have all 8 traits.
ANSWER: Click for image[imgur.com]

Stay in the room if you want to see the credits, the custom Escher paintings, or Leo's kitties again!
Last edited by ForestMagi; 17 Apr, 2023 @ 7:28pm
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Showing 1-6 of 6 comments
Leo  [developer] 6 Apr, 2023 @ 11:24am 
An absolutely beautiful walkthrough, couldn't have put it better myself! thank you so much for your hard work making this! :D
Last edited by Leo; 6 Apr, 2023 @ 11:25am
Tnozone 17 Apr, 2023 @ 10:34am 
The imgur link for the chess reflection solution doesn't work.
ForestMagi 17 Apr, 2023 @ 7:31pm 
Originally posted by Tnozone:
The imgur link for the chess reflection solution doesn't work.
Fixed now! Not sure why it was linking to an undefined image, sorry.
the solution for precision path doesn't work. honestly I am this close to writing a mega salt comment. I hate that "puzzle" so much.
Just beat the level. everything except for precision path is soooo good. that one just gave me so much salt. I was stuck on it for like 30+ minutes and felt like there was nothing to do except trial and error.
Originally posted by Tomer Trashman:
the solution for precision path doesn't work. honestly I am this close to writing a mega salt comment. I hate that "puzzle" so much.
Hmm, it's been a while, but unless something has changed, that room layout in the image should work; I can check it for accuracy in a few hours, though.

ETA: I have replayed the level and have verified the room layout in the image does work to solve the puzzle, and you basically have direct access to all three buttons with that setup, so I have no idea what went wrong for you, sorry.
Last edited by ForestMagi; 5 Jun @ 11:05pm
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