I have no idea what I'm supposed to be doing

[SCIM]

So if I am understanding my journal I am supposed to find 4 chemicals and mix them to dissolve the red goo blocking my path. I found 4 chemicals and some sort of container for mixing the chemicals but no matter how hard I click it will not let me mix the chemicals into the chemical mixing thing despite the fact that the entire point of its existence is to mix chemicals.

Now that I've wasted all my oil and tinderboxes trying to find something to fix my problem I'm just wandering around in the dark with the gamma turned all the way up because otherwise I can't see a darned thing. Am I playing the game right? It sure doesn't feel like it. And isn't this game supposed to be scary?

[Dragriff]

If you're trying to mix them in your inventory, it won't work, you need to find a laboratory place. (If you've been there, it's the place where you can hear a monster splashing in water below you) I think it was right across the entrance to the wine cellar. There you can find a bunsen burner and that is where you put all 4 of the chemicals + the empty jar.

[SCIM]

So I guess I'll just keep wandering around in the dark until I find that place... and then wander back through the darkness... and then get past the goo and wander around in the dark some more until I find some oil... ughn I wish the game wasn't so stingy about giving you oil. I kinda would like to see what I'm doing.

Is the darkness supposed to be scary or something? I've pretty much just gotten so used to it by now that I'm kinda dulled to the experience.

[Shady Fountain]

I think the lab is just on the opposite end of the stairs from the cellar where you got all the chemicals. It's where you found the note telling you about the ingredients.

And the darkness is supposed to add to the overall atmosphere. Rather than being outright scary, the game focuses more on atmosphere and immersion - so, specifically with the dark, it makes you have to decide to let the darkness drain your sanity, or to use your limited light sources, which can also make it easier for monsters to see you, etc. Granted, if you've been wandering around the same area where you know you're safe, it can get annoying. So, getting into a new, unkown area will hopefully help, and the game should gradually pick up in intensity once you get to the next section. Keep going, it's worth it! At least, I think so anyway.

[SCIM]

I just can't bring myself to boot up this game again. It was just so boring for me. I guess this is a hit or miss title. Either you like it, or you don't.

[sergio.fedi]

Seems you got bored/frustrated because you were stuck.

Once you solve some puzzles you pick up the flow and logic of the game, and everything is smoother.

Still scary though. At least for me.

[thedoctordonna14]

I know the first about 1/3 of the game isn't that scary, but as soon as you get passed the ingredients part it starts getting really fun! just spend another 10 minutes running into the only open doors (inside the ingredients are usually either on a desk, or I know at least one is on the floor next to a bookcase.) After that you get to meet the monsters!
If you don't enjoy the original game there's always a bunch of custom games you could play that are just as long and even better than the original game such as 'the great work' and 'Obscurity'

[Plibbo64]

I'm a bit lost now as well.. I put it down and then pick it up a while later, forgetting all my progress.. I just put together a drill, but have no idea what to use it for. That area where I assembled that seems to be empty of clues for now? So I went back and realized I didn't finish something in the machine room.. I added coal to burn, I already have all the cogs in place... but the machine "still needs more work" or something. In another room, there are some switches labeled with roman numerals, though no indication I can see as to how I'm suppose to set this, if at all yet. Can anyone give me a hint?

[Shady Fountain]

Sounds like you're not quite done in storage yet. You need to use the drill on the barrels in a bigger area of storage around where you found the parts (sorry, I don't remember the layout that well). If I remember right, they're labeled Primary and Secondary in Latin. That should help you create the explosive to get into the rest of storage and find the rest of the equipment and instructions you need for the machine room. Hope that helps! I can be more specific if you're still stuck.

Also, if you haven't played in a while, and since you haven't mentioned any rods, did you get the one out of the study? You have to break a window to go outside to get to it...just wanted to mention it since it can be a pain to figure out if you don't notice it the first time you go through.

[Plibbo64]

Okay, I'll check storage again next time I play.

Question though. I don't know if it was scripted, but the monster showed up while I was in the room without torches.. just out of nowhere. Was I supposed to die there? It said 'Don't stray too far' or something, then I just started again in the same area. I don't know what triggered him, or if he just occasionally shows up, and I missed the audio cues or something, but I don't really understand what happened there. I had a lot of lights around and wasn't suffering from insanity at the time but I turned around and he was right there in the room with me.

[Shady Fountain]

In storage? No scripted death there. Seems like an odd death message thing too. I don't know if you've gotten farther or how you feel about potential spoilers so I'll black this out but...

if you're where I think you are, you're pretty close to what I believe is one of the few areas in the game where monster appearances are random, rather than scripted. I can't say I know much about game mechanics and whatnot, but I would guess it just bugged out.

[Plibbo64]

Thanks for your help. I feel better about being given hints by fellow players rather than looking up guides, so I'll post here again..

I'm in the area where You meet that man whose spirit is trapped in the dead husk. Just before here, there's a room with two switches that don't function, and no hint is given that they can be restored except that the state of the machine is recorded in the mementos book.

Beyond the man trapped in the husk are what I think he's describing as torture chambers, but the orb pieces he says are in there aren't. There weren't any objects in them, except maybe one tinder box.

Further yet is the large open area with three paths. One leads forward toward an electrified hallway. The other leads to an alter where I assumed I had to place the piece of meat, but it doesn't allow me to do so. I got some oil which I placed into a basin in the other area, but it also wants me to put the orb there.. an orb I haven't been able to locate.

I have a sort of inkling that the game might want me to kill the husk that what's his name is trapped in, but I don't want to even try, and on the other hand, I'm supposed to show him some kind of note, but I haven't picked one up. I threw an apple at him to test him and he had no reaction.

If you don't mind helping me again, is there a hint you could give that might put me in the right direction? I wondered around all those areas a few times now and feel as though I'm either missing something (there are a few doors that I'd liek to get in, but they're inaccessible for one reason or another without indication they can be opened through unusual means).

Thank ya, thank ya!

[Shady Fountain]

Ha, that puzzle took me forever too. If you just want a nudge in the right direction, I'll give you this: listen for the noise of broken machinery. It's in the same room as Agrippa/dead husk man. You may need some boxes.

[Plibbo64]

Thanks. I beat it!