Room Marine, the latest release from Japanese developer Place of Light, is an uncommonly lovely escape game that is also, for better and for worse, unusually difficult. 
We've come to expect great things from Place of Light; their previous games, Room Fake and Room Bath, are both excellent and well-executed. With Room Marine, however, they have positively outdone themselves.
First off, the game is gorgeous. Cool, blue and with a hint of a nautical theme, the room in which you are confined is perhaps one of the prettiest in the genre. Of course, looks can only take you so far; in addition to attractive, the game's intuitive controls make the room very easy to navigate. The handy save feature relieves the burden of trying to complete the game in one sitting, and the overall lack of pixel-hunting considerably reduces the player's frustration. All in all, from a mechanical and aesthetic standpoint Room Marine is a joy to play... which is a good thing, because this game is hard.
The first thing you might notice when taking a preliminary gander around the room is the daunting number of locks and bolts, boxes and safes that greet (taunt?) you at every turn. It is immediately apparent that this room is not messing around—it's going to take some serious cerebral calisthenics to crack this baby open. This is exciting, of course. That's the point, isn't it... to stretch your brain, to grit your teeth and think and explore until the insight is finally attained? At the same time, however, such complexity can be overwhelming; it's not easy to keep track of 25 different areas in which one might theoretically use a newly-acquired object.
Complicating this further is the fact that while the majority of Room Marine's puzzles are reasonably logical and flow together well, one or two are downright mean. One in particular quite literally stared me in the face for a full 20 minutes, waiting patiently while I fruitlessly clicked around the room again and again in hopes of discovering some new secret. This puzzle and a few others skirt the line between difficult and unfair, and perhaps even cross that boundary; it's debatable whether they add to or detract from the game's enjoyability.
I don't wish these criticisms to downplay the inherent awesomeness of Room Marine, however (if anything, these are the best sort of quibbles... too much instead of too little, too hard instead of too simplistic). The game is an obvious labor of love, exceptionally clever and creative, and is in many ways the epitome of what a room escape game ought to be: ingenious, beautiful and highly entertaining. While the difficulty of the game can be at times taxing, the reward is more than worth it; if you're a serious connoisseur of escape games, you're gonna love this one. And hey, you don't need the next few hours for anything else, do you?
Walkthrough Guide
(Please allow page to fully load for spoiler tags to be functional.)
For anyone after some help without being given all the answers, here is a hint-through:
Collecting objects
Aimless clicking should get you the following objects: A video tape, a diamond-shaped tile, a length of wire, a hexagon-shaped tile, a pen and a picture frame
Make sure you investigate the pen fully
Coloured letters
You'll see a number of coloured letters and objects throughout the game - make a note of all of them
One of the hardest to see is the symbol on top of the upper row of books
The video puzzle (part 1)
The TV won't work unless it's plugged in
Where else is there a 8x6 grid in the room?
Another coloured letter! And something fell in the vase...
The video puzzle (part 2)
There is more information on the video tape
Something that is only visible after you've played the video
Use the four-symbol code to open the box and find some objects and another letter
You can now get the item that fell into the vase
The bookcase puzzle
You need the four-digit code for the long rod beside the fireplace
The code is given by the bookcase
It helps to look from further away
The object should help you retrieve the next key. Also note another symbol and colour is revealed
The apples
Once you've got the apples (and a clockwork key), you'll want to examine them
One is edible despite its colour, and contains an object you might recognise from the CD
The other apple isn't edible, and might even be made out of wax
It corresponds to the picture on the video tape
Combining a few items should give you a code that relates to the clockwork key
Running like clockwork
Somewhere else in the room is a drawing of the clockwork key
The 'apple code' tells you how to open the secret compartment
And don't forget to take the square tile
The safe
There's no way of entering a code for the safe, but those letters look strange...
One is hexagon-shaped, one is triangular...
But you're missing the final tile - try following the first step shown on the CD
This involves the fish and the edible apple
That's a lot of trouble for one coin! But there is another clue in the safe...
The picture frame
The clue for this part is behind the TV
Once you have removed the back, don't worry about the battery compartment yet but make sure you click on everything
If you do it right, you should obtain another key and two clues from the front of the frame
The aquarium
First get that window open, and check around the edges for anything useful
The aquarium can now be found under the TV, but how can you fill it with water?
The rain seems to be the only source, so a container would be good...
Maybe the bowl that the apples were in?
You'll need the clippers
Okay, stage 4 on the CD is now complete
Where's the screwdriver?
That clue inside the safe mentioned poking the fire
I guess it's too hot...
Now what could you use to extinguish it?
And finally you need some sort of handle, maybe using an item you already have?
The computer (part 1)
There's only one screw that needs undoing in this game
Fire up the PC, but it's too early for the secret file
Put the CD in, and solve the puzzle using the colours and symbols that you've been writing down
The dog and cat picture should help (ignore the banana and the egg, and imagine that the red double-circle is a tick-mark!)
Play the video and step away from the PC
Game over
Well done, you're out! Or maybe there was a bit more to it...
Don't worry, you can go back
Make sure you check out the steps (for a clue) and the grate below the ladder (for an item)
You'll need the clippers again, and don't forget to raise the stairs
The plant (part 1)
The seed doesn't seem to be growing very well
Maybe follow some more of the directions on the CD?
The bag contains more than just soil
The computer (part 2)
Time to try the secret file
You're still missing one letter though (although you can probably guess what it is!)
This is related to the p's and q's on the stairs
Where else have you seen something that can be turned in two directions? Once you figure it out, you'll find the final letter and a useful object
Notice that there isn't enough room for all the letters on the computer
Just spell out the "ID......" and "PASS...." using the existing letters
The plant (part 2)
Use the code from the secret file in the obvious place
This item looks kind of familiar from the CD...
And finally the plant will grow!
The final puzzle
The plant will point you in the right direction to begin with
Did that noise come from the picture frame with all the blue squares?? ;)
Put a couple of items in their slots, and then enter the code!
This obviously relates to the time... You'll know when you get it right
That's all folks!
Posted by: jimbog
|
February 18, 2009 6:39 AM
Room Marine Walkthrough
Basic End
Go to book case and get the diamond from the purple book in the middle.
One of the light blue books on the top shelf is a video tape, get it.
On top of the book case is some wire.
Turn left, get the hexagon from on top of the lamp.
Get the pen off the table.
Open the pen to get a note with 4 colored circles on it.
Turn left and pull out the tv then plug it in.
Play the video and take note of where the circles are on the grid, and the order in which they appear.
Go to the frame with all the squares on it and click the tiles that you just noted.
After you've played the video examine the tape to find the code for the box on the shelf.
Get the CD and the hook.
Use the hook and the wire to get the part of the frame that fell into the vase.
The code for the poker by the fireplace is 1301 (found by looking at the book case and only paying attention to the purple books.)
The wood block is actually the key for the door.
Use the poker to get the key outside of the door
Use the key to open the apple case. Collect the two apple and the clockwork key.
Eat the blue apple to get the seed.
Place the seed in the eye of the fish by the window to get the triangle.
Light the red apple on fire using the fireplace.
Place the paper from the pen over the apple to get some new codes.
The squiggle on top is the combination of the clockwork key, which you use under the couch. Think which way the keu would have to turn to follow the squiggle.
Collect the cutters and the metal square.
Place the metal shapes over the corresponding letters on the safe. Hexagon, triangle, diamond, square.
Collect the coin, and take note of the drawing of the poker on the fire.
Use the coin to open the back of the picture frame, and remove the picture, and the key.
The key is for the window by the fish. The window opens into the rain, but first you need the bowl.
Zoom in on the part of the apple bowl that joins the top half and bottom half together. Use the cutters to cut off the top half of the apple bowl, and use that to collect the rain.
Collect the handle in the corner of the window.
Pour the water on the fire, and use the poker to get the screwdriver.
Combine the screwdriver with the open pen.
Use the screwdriver to open the right door of the cabinet, and use the handle you found to open the left.
Collect the glass cylinder.
Turn on the computer and put the CD inside.
Go to the television, and use the CD file.
The CD Puzzle
The back of the picture you got from the frame explains the rules to the CD puzzle. You need to connect the like objects while using every tile on the board. The like objects are based on color you've seen through out the room. The red bird is inside the picture fram where you got the key, and connect to the red cross you saw when you got the poker, the W was green and connect to the leaf, and the # sign (found ontop of one of the books) was white and connect to the apple
This will play a video of the room and the stairs will be open over the fireplace now.
Go up the stairs and you are done!
But wait! There more (for only 3 easy payments...)!
True End
You can go back to the room by clicking the bottom link in the text.
If you look at the stairs you will see a grate. Zoom in on the grate and cut the wire with the cutters.
Make a note of the p's and q's, they are the order for the clockwork key under the couch. (Right left left left right left right)
Go enter the code and get the battery.
Go back to the computer and reverse the video on the CD
Get the bag from the fireplace.
Open the bag and pour the dirt into the bowl with the seed.
Open the bag and get the sun key and use it on the panel above the fish.
You will now see IDENTITY.
Go back to the computer
Use the secret file.
The ID is ENTITY, and the PASS is WORD.
Now you have the password for the box under the shelf. This is a bit confusing. The password is *>oV. The bow (the underscore looking thing) and the brackets in the password should be ignored.
Get the plant food and put it in the plants water.
Zoom out and then zoom back in and you will see the plant has grown.
Zoom out again and click where the plant is pointing. You will find a button there.
Go to the picture with the tiles and where the green W was. There is now a handle there.
Place the items in their correct slots, cutters on the right, and the coin on the left.
The display should be green now, it's looking for a time.
Put the battery into the back of the picture frame in your inventory, then look at the front. It should now display a time.
Enter the time onto the display (imagine the numbers displayed around the dark portions, the second digit should look like a colon :)
Collect the red sword.
Open the door and use the red sword on the chain.
Leave!
True End!
Posted by: Kero
|
February 19, 2009 9:49 PM
Full walkthrough with a TRUE END
- get STRING from top of bookshelf, recognize the # sign on a BLUE book
- get VIDEO TAPE from top row of bookshelf. examine tape to find hint with "apple candle" and note. you need it later.
- get DIAMOND from back of pink book in middle of shelf.
- back in originally view you now can find a NUMBER CODE from the books. just look at the pink books. top row there is 1 pink book. then the empty space where video was... the shape on the pink book is a 3. where the diamond was is a 0 and the last book is 1 again.
- remember CODE 1301
- notice SAFE and BOX. Diamond goes on F, you further need Circle, Triangle and Hexagon to open safe.
- turn right. get PICTURE from fireplace.Examine frame and notice you can open the frame with a tool you need to find.
- Input 4 number code 1301 left of fireplace to get LONG HOOK. notice RED CROSS
- turn right. move TV on the left so you can plug in tv. notice hint : 10 coin opens screw...
- get back, turn left again (fireplace view) to zoom in TV. Notice a blue handle for left closet door is missing and there is a screw to open the right door of closet.
- input video. Notice RED O. play video and remember the order of appearance of the dots. You can press the yello backward button to watch again.
- when sure about the dots get video back out, BUT ist must be "played". dont press backward before you take it out. examine tape again in close up view and find CODE for box in shelf.
- go back to bookshelf, open box with code and get CD-ROM and a SMALL HOOK. Notice a BLUE R
- Combine string and small hook to get a kind of a "fishhook"
- turn right twice to window view. get PEN from table. examine pen and find PAPAER WITH DOTS. Notice fruitbowl needs a key, window needs a key
- turn right. Get HEXAGON from top of lamp. notice under sofa you need a key to open the blue box.
- zoom in Picture on wall. Now input DOT CODE from video tape. When you click the squares a X is wrong CIRCLE is right. order:
X X 4 X X X X X
X X X X X X X X
X X X X X X X X
X 2 X X X X X X
X X X X X X 1 X
X X X X 3 X X X
- something falls down. notice GREEN W
- zoom in VASE. use fishhook to get brown thing from vase. Examine and find out its a KEY to the FRONT DOOR.
- turn right. open door to find out a chain is holding door back. you see a YELLOW KEY. get it with the long hook.
- open fruit bowl with yello key and get RED APPLE, BLUE APPLE and WIND UP KEY.
- eat blue apple to geed SEED
- zoom in fish and put seed on mouth to get TRIANGLE
- light red apple in fireplace and use paper with dots on apple candle (hint on video tape) to reveal CODE FOR WIND UP KEY.
- click under couch put wind up key in floor and press:
R L L R L R R
when you srew up, zoom out and in again to start over
- get SNIPER and SQUARE from opened box.
- zoom out and zoom in fruitbowl. cut rope from bowl with sniper and get BOWL.
- go to safe in bookshelf, place the shapes over the letters and get COIN and notice hint how to use long hook in fireplace later.
- use coin to open picture frame ( hint from plug in tv) notice battery is missing. push white open that says OPEN
- examine frame again to get CARD from frame. examine card to get hint for CD-ROM GAME
- examine frame again to get WINDOW KEY from frame.
- examine frame again to notice RED BIRD.
- open windeow with key.open right wi ndow. get BLUE HANDLE for tv closet.
- use bowl with rain to get WATER
- use water on fireplace. use hook in chimeny and find PART OF SCREWDRIVER.
- combine with empty pen to get SCREWDRIVER
- use blue handle on closet under tv. open left door to get FISH TANK.
- zoom in screw open it with screwdriver to open right door. to find CD PLAYER
- turn on cd player, insert blue cd. BUT we play later.
- Go back to fish, window. fill bowl with water again.
- put fishtank on fish and fill with water.
- BAck to TV
- secret file: you ne an ID and a PASS. we will ckeck that later.
- cd game: to understand the game examine back of the card: your aim is to connect the symbols with the SAME COLOUR by clicking the tiles. ALL TILES must be used. if you get it, a movie is automatically shown on tv.
- connections:
1) GREEN LEAF -> GREEN W
2) BLUE # -> BLUE APPLE
3) RED BIRD -> RED CROSS
- Its a bit tricky.
1) leaf up, the right to W
2)# up, then left and then down to apple
3) Bird down, and the all the way around using all tiles to reach the cross.
- play the little movie on tv to see STAIRS coming down the fire place.
- go to stairs YOU could now leave the room by going all upstairs. but to get True End, theres a little bit more to do :-)
- click in the middle of the stairs to see a 2nd CODE FOR WIND UP KEY.
Note: R L L L R L R
- click grey fence above stairs and cut little rope with sniper.
- go back under couch and turn wind up key like written above.
- get BATTERY and notice YELLOW D
- put battery in frame, turn frame and notice the TIME. Its different in every game. mine was 7:15 We need that later.
- back to tv and REWIND the cd. STAIRS GO BACK up.
- go to chimney and find DIRT
- put dirt in fishtank.
- examine dirt again to find YELLOW SUN KEY
- use sun key above fishtank to reveal a sunlight
- zoom out once and notice hint on wall: identity
- Now its time for secret file on tv and plant needs time to grow:-)
- we need an ID and a Pass...
hint identity: so on tv screen we see ID missing ENTITY . so input ENTITY in line from id.
Pass: remember paper with coloured dots: green, red, blue yellow
we have:
Green W (picture with squares)
Red O ( red O video )
Blue R (code box in shelf)
Yellow D (from battery)
so PASS is WORD
enter ENTITY
WORD
- get SECRET PASS for Code box in Shelf again. It looks a bit confusing. The little "bow" after the first two signs IS NO SIGN.
- Input code in code box to get GROWING POWDER for plant.
- go to plant open powder and give it to fishtank.
- leave the scene and come back to see a HUGE PLANT growing down to the floor.
- dont zoom in plant. try to find the TINY GREEN DOT at the end of the plant near the bottom almost on the floor.
- click green dot and reveal RED BUTTON . press button
- go to picture with square. you can open it now. Put in sniper and coin.
- Now you can change the symbols to enter the TIME you got on the frame.
This is a very hard one.
press 1 time:number 9
press 2 times:number 4
press 3 times:number 3
press 4 times:number 7
press 5 times:number 1
press 6 times:number 8
press 7 times:number 2
press 8 times:number 6
press 9 times:number 5
-enter your time , the second Shape will be :
to understand the shapes: just imagine the NUMBERS AROUND the DARK SHAPE. I cant explain better...
- get RED SWORD
- go to DOOR cut chain with sword.
- zoom back once , open door again and you are OUT
- Then follows a long scenery with text and finally
[Edit: Spoiler added ~ Kayleigh]
Posted by: gio | July 20, 2009 4:15 AM