NGH
How do I get into the puzzle box on the front desk? 10 hints left

Hint 1

First, you have to get past the cat.

Hint 2

Once you've tamed Suki, it's time to open the box --

Hint 3

-- which turns out to be a traditional Japanese puzzle box, yikes. Read to the end of this hint for step-by-step directions on doing this.

Hint 4

You'll find a flyer that will help a whole lot at the Matsue train station, draped across the barrier.

Hint 5

This flyer gives you the general concept, gives you the first move, and shows what the box should look like when it's done.

Hint 6

So let's make the first move. Highlight (that is, click on) all four pieces. When they're all lit up, up and down arrows will appear; click on the down arrow to move the entire face of the puzzle down.

Hint 7

When you do this, you'll hear a click, and a little button will pop up on the top of the box. That means you are one move closer to opening the box. (The junior puzzle takes 6 moves to open, and the senior takes 8 moves.)

Hint 8

Now unclick all the pieces and click on each one by itself. Some have arrows, meaning they can be moved, and some don't. Try experimenting.

Hint 9

There really isn't any logic that you can see from the outside with these puzzles. Just keep trying things. Sometimes you'll make a move that pops up a button, and two moves later you're undoing that same move. As long as it doesn't unpop the button, it's good.

Hint 10

In case this isn't working for you, here are the moves that open the box:

Guide help

This is the low-spoiler guide for "How do I get into the puzzle box on the front desk?" puzzle in Nancy Drew: Shadow at the Water's Edge. Unlike in normal walkthrough, you get gradual hints on how to solve the puzzle. Click the big button below to see your first hint. If the hint contains a spoiler, you will be warned about it before clicking.

Progress

Hints written by Lynn S. HendricksBuy me a coffee
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