Small rant...

[gamatecal]

The game is great (and yes... there is a but...)

The RNG is insane. One run I'm making some smooth progress, then have a slew of 10+ days of dead ends. I harvest keys and gems as much as possible, staying in the early ranks, but the RNG just straight up throws me into a dead end. I am even using a compass to get better chance at north paths, but it's like it never triggers. Or if it does, sends me into an only option of Dark room or Archivist, and that just royally ♥♥♥♥♥ me over.

For example, my latest run, I grind to 7 keys and 8 gems. I don't have the keycard so I turn security to low. I am hit with straight 10 keys needed to open a door, then every branching
path from there, from ranks 4-7 (4 in total) required a key. It's infuriating xD

Think it needs to be balanced, or something. It's really unfun when it happens for 5 hours straight.

[Heaphaistos]

My tip: don't focus on only 1 objective you will get depressed really fast. This game is not meant to be a linear experience, you have to keep in mind multiple objectives.

Every day, you can do something different even when you don't achieve your current objective. You can find an answer to a puzzle, you can find new pieces of information, you can learn information about a puzzle that you were stuck, you can make future days easier, you can prepare some rooms for future tests, you can complete a puzzle, you can find a new secret, you can unlock permanant upgrade, and more.

Someday you will get stuck, and it's alright because later you gain access to multiple options to control your RNG. Also, it's better to explore every room at least once, even if it ends up in a dead end, every bit of clue will help you later.

I use a board to keep track of all the stuff I find, and no joke, it's amazing the number of secrets/puzzles this game has. Playing this game like an actual detective is super fun.