The game “OFF”progresses into increasingly intricate and enigmatic puzzles as players advance, and this is especially true in Area 2, which is filled with challenges that might leave you pondering for extended periods.
Within Area 2, you will encounter a peculiar rotating library, a park brimming with bizarre interactions, and a town that seems keen on keeping intruders at bay. Additionally, there is a wealth of literature available for exploration, enhancing the overall experience.
To tackle these puzzles effectively, thorough interaction with your environment is essential. As such, I’ll provide a comprehensive guide through the various sections of Area 2, including library visits, numerous locations to explore, and the crucial notes on the literature you’ll find.
Exploring the Library
The unusual design of Area 2 becomes less daunting when you realize that moving left or up around the library will lead you to different sections of the same building. Descending from these areas will further transport you to new sections of the region.
For instance, after spotting two upward arrows, proceed downwards, which will direct you north to the shopping mall where you can meet Zacharie and make purchases.
Your first stop should be the left side of the library, where you can buy an important page from a merchant. Afterward, enter the library and head south to engage with the receptionist, who can provide insights about the third floor.
Once you ascend the stairs, you’ll notice that the bookshelves adorned with genuine titles feature a light blue base. It’s beneficial to examine each shelf closely—take screenshots or jot down the titles as they might offer valuable guidance later.
While not every detail is crucial, having these references on hand adds layers of lore that enrich the experience, leaving you more prepared for the challenges ahead.
When you proceed further upstairs, observe four bookshelves containing readable pages, all marked subtly with a playing card emblem. In this room, you’ll find three pages associated with these symbols.
Match the pages to their corresponding books based on the playing card icon; a confirmation sound will indicate a successful match. Additionally, there are two chests hidden behind the bookcases in this area.
After conversing with the receptionist, go upstairs for a unique encounter, where you’ll face off against a cat, then return downstairs to speak with the Judge, who instructs you to revisit the shopping mall now that you can explore more thoroughly.
Navigating the Shopping Mall
The shopping mall is a perplexing labyrinth and can be frustrating to navigate. Be prepared as the whimsical posters lining the walls can further extend your journey—stock up on healing items as you’ll spend considerable time here.
Start by heading right and down to collect a free Fortune Ticket, then navigate back up and go left to find a door leading to a save point. This location significantly opens up exploration opportunities.
Remember the save point as a vital reference while you explore. From this room, ascend, then go right and continue upwards until you reach a point where you must check the upper rooms to locate the Judge.
During your conversation with the Judge, you’ll learn about his brother Valerie. If you enter the door to the left, you’ll be able to call a Pedalo that will appear outside once you exit. While there are optional items scattered throughout the maze, they might not justify the effort required to obtain them. Many are, in my opinion, not worth the hassle.
The Park Experience
To reach the park, head West around the library where you’ll find the Pedalo awaiting your arrival. This area allows for a brief respite as the rooms only require short visits.
The Western room features a rollercoaster ride for a delightful photo opportunity, while the Eastern room offers a Pedalo puzzle where you maneuver across motors by following the thinnest paths until you reach the upper part of the room.
Position yourself among the motors, select the one directly above you, and navigate expertly to flick off the switch on the left side. Completing this task unlocks the gate in the West room, granting you access to the stairs, where you can push Zacharie’s statue onto the rollercoaster seat for another fun photo session.
Finally, advance to the North room to engage in a balloon game that revolves around popping enough balloons to leave your opponent with just one. The best strategy is to pop two, then one, while ensuring that you can’t be left with four balloons.
This leads to an enemy encounter against the person you played against. After securing victory, you can take his tie, allowing entry to the secluded town to the east of the library.
Before moving on, revisit the start of the Pedalo room and converse with the man at the South entrance. With your picture featuring Zacharie, he will grant access to a chamber that bestows permanent stat enhancements.
Exploring the Town
Equip the tie obtained earlier and speak with the gatekeeper as you head east. A peculiar cat will spout cryptic phrases before you are faced with the task of defeating several summoned ghosts within a generous time limit.
Some ghosts hide within houses, but generally, the challenge isn’t overly taxing since the timer does not count down during battle. After the skirmish, you will be expelled from the area, prompting the Judge to seek your assistance with Japhet.
Ensure you are well-healed and stock up on items from the shop, as the upcoming conflict is more challenging. When you feel prepared, speak to the receptionist once more to gain access to the roof.
The Roof Encounter
The ascent can feel tedious, with numerous enemy encounters, so it’s wise to conserve your valuable items, as a save point awaits you later in your journey.
As you progress, take note of several books displaying conspicuous page numbers: the first has “1, 4”, the second “2, 9”, the third “3, 9”, the fourth “4, 7”, the fifth “5, 1”, the sixth “6, 6”, the seventh “7, 4”, and the eighth “8, 0”.
Like the initial number puzzle in this area, the first number indicates the sequence, while the second signifies the input number. As such, the code you need to enter is “49971640”.
Once you input this code on the blocks in keypad formation at the top, the path to confront Japhet will open. Stock up on items prior to your showdown, as this villain has an axe to grind after possessing Valerie.
The initial phase of the battle is relatively straightforward—intensely attack the cat until it fully transitions into the formidable bird form. During this prime time, it can’t retaliate effectively.
Once the music shifts, signaling Japhet’s escalation, expect stronger attacks and significant defensive capabilities. He frequently silences players, making it essential for anyone dependent on abilities to cure this status quickly.
Although you can endure the fight with the debuff, managing your attacks remains crucial. Other status effects like poison aren’t highly debilitating, but you may want to use Belial’s Meat for relief if they become a nuisance. Maintain The Batter’s health and focus on dealing damage to emerge victorious.
Upon defeat, the zone is purified. Just like in Zone 1, you can explore the cleansed area if you wish, but tread cautiously—as enemies here are exceptionally resilient and deal significant damage, making it advisable to wait until you’re prepared for endgame challenges.
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