==== Parascientific Escape Cruise in the Distant Seas ==== * ==== Spoiler-Free FAQ by balsamicdragon ==== ==== version 1.1 ==== ==== ==== wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww ==== ==== wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww 1. Introduction [INT] 2. Gameplay [GAM] 3. Prologue, Part 1 [PR1] 4. Safe Button Puzzle [PZ1] 5. Prologue, Part 2 [PR2] 6. Duct Puzzle [PZ2] 7. Pool, Part 1 [PL1] 8. Flash Drive Puzzle [PZ3] 9. Pool, Part 2 [PL2] 10. Flooded Hallway [FHW] 11. Double Key Door Puzzle [PZ4] 12. Lobby, Part 1 [LY1] 13. Suitcase Puzzle [PZ5] 14. Lobby, Part 2 [LY2] 15. Circuit Breaker Puzzle [PZ6] 16. Lobby, Part 3 [LY3] 17. Bridge, Part 1 [BR1] 18. Black Box Puzzle [PZ7] 19. Bridge, Part 2 [BR2] 20. Lightbulb Puzzle [PZ8] 21. Bridge, Part 3 [BR3] wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww 1. Introduction [INT] If you are anything like me, you picked up this Japanese indie title by Circle Entertainment off the eShop because you are fans of 999: Nine Hours, Nine Persons, Nine Doors, and related escape games. Well, the creators of this game are definitely fans too! However, you should set your expectations carefully, because while both games are visual novel/ escape puzzle games, they have some major differences. First, this is not a horror game. There's nothing really scary here at all. Second, there's pretty much only one path to follow in this game. It is more of a visual novel in the true sense of the term, which is to say, the plot is on rails. That said, this is a really fun little point-and-click adventure with some great characters. The folks who made it clearly loved 999 because there are many oblique references to that series. I would recommend this game to people who are new to the genre of escape games, as a way to dip their toes in the water, so to speak. I'd also recommend it to fans of 999 and similar games as a fun diversion that is well worth the five dollars. A final note about the translation: for a small game, I thought the translation was pretty good! But there are certainly some errors, both typos and obscure things that I can only assume were originally puns in Japanese. Don't let it bother you, because it certainly doesn't get in the way of the otherwise polished presentation and game play! wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww 2. Gameplay [GAM] There are four modes of play in this game: point-and-click, cut scenes, conversations, and puzzles. -- Point-and-click: You can use your stylus to tap on anything on the screen. You'll usually get the option to "look" at something, and some- times you will have the option to "use" it or do something else with it. You can tap on the arrows to the side of the screen to move to other areas. If you have an item equipped, you may get additional options to use the item with whatever you are tapping. (See the Game Menu section below for how to equip items.) -- Cut scenes: Tap to advance the story. If you accidentally miss some- thing, or want to review it again, you can press Y or select the Log, located in the lower right corner during cut scenes. The log is also available through the Game Menu. -- Conversations: You will be given a number of conversation topics to choose from. There are no real choices here, however. Tap on each conversation topic until you have read them all, then end the conversation. -- Puzzles: Puzzles in this game involve moving, sliding, and rotating various things in order to move an object from one part of the screen to the other. You will have a limited number of "moves" to complete your task, but there is no time limit. See the description of the Safe Button Puzzle below for more details. Game Menu: The menu is located in the lower right hand corner during point-and-click mode. -- Talk: You can talk to other characters, even when the game doesn't prompt you to have a conversation. -- Examine: This menu feature is incredibly useful, as it lists every- thing that is clickable in the area that you are presently in. Items will appear as ??? until you click on them for the first time. Selecting items from this list is just like clicking on those items. -- Items: This is your inventory of items. By selecting an item and pressing A (or the tool button in the lower right corner), you can equip an item. Having an item equipped can give you more options when exploring an area. -- Travel: After you have discovered and explored several different areas, you can use this button to travel quickly between them. -- Hints: You can access hints for the game here. However, these hints are only really useful for the point-and-click part of the adventure, not the puzzles. -- System: Save early, save often. Choosing Easy Mode in the Touch Settings just means that the game will automatically choose a command when you click on something and there is only one option (such as "look"). You can also turn the tutorial on or off in this part of the menu. wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww 3. Prologue, Part 1 [PR1] You begin the game on board a cruise ship, the Idinaloq. You play as Hitomi Akaneno, a young student who has been sent a mysterious letter. Since this is a spoiler-free FAQ, I will not relate any details of the story that are not necessary to understanding how to progress. By the way, the name Idinaloq is taken from a fan-made Japanese shooting game. Maybe some of the same folks worked on both games? Tell me if you can read Japanese and find out! -- Turn on the lights. -- Find the vent in the bathroom. -- Use the chair to climb up. -- Move the ladder. -- Search the bookcase for the card key. -- Enter the locked room. There is now a flashback to a few hours earlier. This flashback contains only cutscenes and conversations. Talk to everyone you can, choosing every topic. The game will then proceed back in the locked room. -- Look under the sofa. -- Find four small batteries. -- Explore the locked room. -- Replace the light switch. wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww 4. Safe Button Puzzle [PZ1] The safe requires two things to open: the row of buttons hidden in the drawer, and the passcode. To get the buttons, you will have to solve the first sliding puzzle. Each puzzle has two parts: first use clairvoyance to reveal the puzzle, then use telekinesis to operate it. When using clairvoyance, make sure you reveal each movable object first, then the area around it, then any connecting areas. You can start over at any time with no penalty. The first puzzle, once revealed, looks like this: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx x [buttons] xxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxx [slider] x x xxxxxxxx x xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx x x xxxxxx x xxxxxxx [] <- switch xxxxxx x [] xxxxxx x [] [opening] xxxxxx x [] [ ] xxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxx [ ] xxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx When using telekinesis, you can either move objects or rotate them. You have a limited number of actions to take, so you'll need to think ahead. Some objects cannot be moved, only rotated, and some objects can only be moved in a particular direction. To solve this puzzle, first move the slider out of the way. Then rotate the switch counterclockwise. Now you can move the button, but to get it to the opening, you will have to move it, then rotate it to fit through the narrow passage, and the move it again. When rotating objects, make certain that there is plenty of space around them, or they will not rotate! When you solve the puzzle, you will get some ether, which increases the maximum number of times you can use clairvoyance and telekinesis. You should now have 10 uses of clairvoyance and 14 of telekinesis. Note that the first puzzle only required you to use telekinesis five times, but later puzzles will require more, so make sure you explore each area thoroughly to pick up any ether that might be around! Now that you have the buttons, you can put them on the safe and enter the password. The clue to the password is found on the calendar. Can't figure it out? Scroll to the bottom of the FAQ for the answer. Before leaving this room, use the Examine area of the menu to make sure you have clicked on everything in the room. Find more ether on the bed! wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww 5. Prologue, Part 2 [PR2] Continue to explore the suite and find a way out! -- Get ether from the sofa on the right. -- Get ether from the painting upstairs. -- Search under the bed upstairs. -- Unscrew the ladder. -- Get ether from the toilet. -- Unscrew the duct. wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww 6. Duct Puzzle [PZ2] xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx x x [] x x x x [] <- switch x x x[slider] [][] x x x x x x x x x xxxxxxx x x x x xxxxxxx x[open]x x[key] x x x[ ]x xxxxxxxx xxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx The elements of this puzzle are the same sort that you've seen in the last one. To solve it, perform the following steps: -- Rotate the switch clockwise. -- Move the slider right. -- Move the key to the area to the left of the opening (make sure you leave room to rotate it!). -- Rotate the key. -- Move the slider left. -- Rotate the switch counter-clockwise. -- Move the key to the opening. wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww 7. Pool, Part 1 [PL1] -- Take the stairs to the pool. -- Get ether from plant. -- Get ether from bookshelf. -- Examine the top drawer. wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww 8. Flash Drive Puzzle. [PZ3] xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx x x blue x[opening] x x Z_ x pen x[ ] x x O_ [] <- x x x E_ [] x x x N_ []xxxxxx xxxxxxxxxx x [] [ red pen ]x key->[]x xxxxxxx[]xxxxxx xxxxx []x x [] x x []x x x x xxxx xxxxx x x xxxx xxxxx [ eraser ]xxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx -- Move the eraser left. -- Move the key out of the corner. -- Rotate the key. -- Move the key to area below the red pen. -- Move the eraser right. -- Move the blue pen down. -- Move the red pen left. -- Rotate the key. -- Move the key to the opening. Notice the letters in the upper left-hand side of the drawer? You will need those for a password in the next section. If you are stuck, scroll down to the bottom of this FAQ to find the answer! wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww 9. Pool, Part 2 [PL2] There's a bit of a translation/writing problem in this section. Once you finish taking with Misaki and use the computer, Merja says that she can now open the entrance, but she can't do that yet. Instead, you can operate the fountains in the pool area. Later, it says that you can access the Lost and Found Office, but this appears to have been cut from the game? Most importantly, there is information that is entirely missing here that you need to figure out where to go next. That information is: talking to Merja at this time lets you discover that she is very interested in computer programming. Merja's suitcase is still upstairs in the suite... perhaps she has something there that can help you with the computer? -- Operate fountain #2. -- Search the parasol. -- Open the cover to the pipes. -- Turn the red handle left. -- Place the handle on the other pipe, and turn it right. -- Examine the beach ball. -- Look in the locker. -- Unscrew the ladder. -- Backtrack upstairs to the suite. -- Climb back through the duct. -- Search the suitcase. -- Travel back to the pool. -- Install the card reader. wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww 10. Flooded Hallway [FHW] -- Unlock the door to room 907. -- Drain the bathtub. -- Make a phone call (can't figure out the number? Scroll to the bottom of the FAQ!) -- Cut open the mattress. -- Backtrack to the pool and open the suitcase. -- Plug in the DVD player. -- Backtrack to use the laptop. -- Unscrew the wall speaker. -- Unlock the door to room 908. -- Attempt to comprehend strange Japanese puns translated into English... Seriously, if anyone knows what the whole "fisher" thing is about, lemme know, ok? -- Look in the closet. -- Get ether from bed. -- Examine shampoo. -- Get ether from bathtub. -- Get ether from lightswitch. -- Insert red and blue keys. wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww 11. Double Key Door Puzzle [PZ4] xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxx [slider] xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx [switch] [switch] xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [ ] xxxxx x [ large ] [slider] x x [switch] [switch] x x [switch] [switch] [ ][switch]x xxxxx [] [ ] x xxxxx [] [ ] x xxxxxxxxxxx[] xxxxx[ ] xx xxxxxxxxxxx[large slider] xx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx This puzzle is a bit different from the others we've encountered. There are three large sliders; two are oddly shaped. The object is to manipulate these sliders so that each of the five switches can be rotated. When all five switches are vertical, the door will open. -- Rotate the top right switch clockwise. -- Move the top slider right. -- Rotate the top left switch clockwise. -- Rotate the bottom right switch counterclockwise. -- Rotate the bottom middle switch counterclockwise. -- Rotate the bottom left switch clockwise. -- Move the bottom slider right. -- Move the middle slider right. -- Rotate the middle right switch counterclockwise. -- Rotate the middle left switch clockwise. wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww 12. Lobby, Part 1 [LY1] -- Explore the area, including behind the front desk. -- Get ether from trashcan. -- Get ether from card reader. -- Get the paper from the locked case. wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww 13. Suitcase Puzzle [PZ5] xxxxxxxxxxxxx[ suitcase ]xxxxxxxxxxxxx x slider ->[][slider] [ ] xxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxx [][ clasp ] xxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxx [] xx[switch]xxxxxx xxxxxxxxxx [switch] xx xxxxxx xxxxxxxxxx [ slider ][] <- slider x xxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxx[]xxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx[]xxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx This puzzle has the following elements, a clasp (shaped like a backwards "C"), several sliders that move horizontally or vertically, and two small switches. The objective is to move the clasp upwards. -- Rotate the right-hand switch clockwise. -- Move the right-hand vertical slider up. -- Move the bottom horizontal slider right. -- Rotate the left-hand switch counterclockwise. -- Move the left-hand vertical slider down. -- Move the top horizontal slider left. -- Move the suitcase clasp up. wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww 14. Lobby, Part 2 [LY2] -- Use blacklight on lobby sign. -- Backtrack to room 908. -- Search painting. -- Put bell on lobby desk. -- Set ink cartridges in printer (check the chairs for the order!) -- Print out coded paper. -- Use one power cord to connect lamp, two to connect computer. wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww 15. Circuit Breaker Puzzle [PZ6] xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx x [sock] xxxxx [button]x x [-et ] x x [switch] xxxxxxxxx x [ ] x x [] x x x x [] x x x xxxxxxxxxxxxxx[ ] x x [][slider] [] x[ ] slider x xswitch[] [ ] x [] [ ] <-- x x -->[] [ ] x [switch][ ] x x [] [ ] x [ ] x xxxxxxxxxx[ ] xxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxx[ ] <- slider xxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx -- Move the button past the L-shaped switch, into the corner. -- Rotate the top L-shaped switch clockwise. -- Move the button into the area on the right. -- Move the right-hand vertical slider up. -- Move the button to the bottom area. -- Rotate the button L-shaped switch clockwise. -- Move the horizontal slider right. -- Move the left-hand vertical slider up. -- Rotate the left-most switch counterclockwise. -- Move the button to right below the socket, make sure there is room to rotate it! -- Rotate the button. -- Move the button onto the socket. wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww 16. Lobby, Part 3 [LY3] -- Examine the computer. -- Examine the mark on the floor. -- Backtrack to the pool and get the swim ring (outside where the laptop is). -- Place the swim ring on the mark on the floor. -- Touch the symbols in order on the computer. -- Update the key card. wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww 17. Bridge, Part 1 [BR1] -- Get ether from chair. -- Remove panel from below thruster. -- Get ether from monitor. -- Cut the cloth using the knife. -- Enter color code from panel. -- Search helmets above lockers. -- Get magnet from map. -- Use magnet on compass. -- Open locker. -- Unscrew the steering wheel. -- Turn the steering wheel using the appropriate sequence. Can't figure it out? Check the password section at the end of the FAQ. -- Look inside the black box. wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww 18. Black Box Puzzle [PZ7] xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx x[sd]x x x x x[ ]x xxxxxx x x[in]x x x x x x xxxxxx x x x x x x [ slider ] x x xxxxx[ switch ]x x x x x [] xxx x x xxxxxxxxxx [] x x x x xx x xxx x x[ sd ] x [sd]x x x[card] x [in]x xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxx xxxxx[ sd ] xxxxx xxxxx[card] xxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx In this puzzle, you'll have to install two SD cards into the ports (marked here as "sd in"). -- Move the slider right. -- Rotate the switch twice. -- Move the top SD card into the open area near the upper left port. -- Rotate the SD card counter-clockwise. -- Rotate the switch counter-clockwise. -- Move the bottom SD card below the switch. -- Rotate the SD card counter-clockwise. -- Move the SD card to above the switch. -- Rotate the switch counter-clockwise. -- Move the slider left. -- Rotate the SD card clockwise. -- Move the SD card into the lower right port. wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww 19. Bridge, Part 2 [BR2] -- Install the two keys in the keyboard. -- Backtrack to lobby to read disk. -- Upgrade key card. -- Unlock drawer. -- Insert lightbulbs into thruster. wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww 20. Lightbulb Puzzle [PZ8] xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx x [] <- long [] [ red ]x x[green] xx[] switch [] [socket]x x[socket]xx[] [ L-switch]x xxxxxxxxxxx[] [ slider ] x x[ slider ][] [] x x [] [] x x [ T-switch ] x x [] x x [] x x x [ T-switch]x x x [] [ blue ]x x[light bulbs] x [] [socket]x xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx This is a tricky puzzle, and a bit counter-intuitive. There are two sliders and four switches: two T-shapes, one L-shape, and one long switch. It looks easiest to install the blue lightbulb, and hardest to install the green one, but you should install them in the following order: green, then red, then blue. -- Rotate the bottom T-shaped switch clockwise. -- Move the green lightbulb to below the red socket, leaving room for the right hand slider to fit above it. -- Move the red lightbulb to just below the green lightbulb. -- Move the left-hand slider down. -- Move the right-hand slider right. -- Rotate the middle T-shaped switch twice. -- Move the green lightbulb just to the left of the red socket. -- Rotate the long switch clockwise. -- Move the green lightbulb into its socket. -- Rotate the long switch counter-clockwise. -- Move the right-hand slider left. -- Rotate the L-shaped switch counter-clockwise. -- Move the red lightbulb into its socket. -- Rotate the middle T-switch twice. -- Move the blue lightbulb to just below the red socket. -- Rotate the bottom T-shaped switch clockwise. -- Move the blue lightbulb into its socket. wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww 21. Bridge, Part 3 [BR3] -- Remove the key from the thruster. You will have to turn the numbered knobs in a particular order. Not sure what? Scroll to the bottom of the FAQ! -- Insert key into computer. -- Backtrack to the elevator. That's it, you've reached the end of the game! I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did. Clearly there is the possibility of a sequel, so maybe we will see one on the eShop soon! wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww 22. Passwords [PSW] Stuck on a password? Odds are you may be over-thinking it, but here are all the password/codes in the game. -- Safe Password: 2411 -- Laptop Password: 0189 -- Phone Number: 19082 -- Steering Wheel: RRLRL -- Thruster Order: 32415