Indiana Jones and The Great Circle: A Guide to Solving the Game of Wits Mystery

In the latter sections of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, players encounter the intriguing side quest titled “A Game of Wits.” Nestled in the Sukhothai region, this quest falls under the Mystery category, primarily consisting of a complex puzzle to solve. The challenge resides at Voss’ Camp, where players must navigate the surroundings of Sukhothai stealthily before gaining access to it.

At the heart of “A Game of Wits” lies the traditional Thai board game known as Mak-yek, which blends elements of chess and checkers while introducing its own unique set of rules. Your objective is to solve this puzzle through a game of Mak-yek, extracting a safe combination from the game board’s layout and the positioning of its pieces. Although the initial appearance of the game may seem daunting, mastering it is straightforward once you familiarize yourself with the rules. Follow this guide to become a Mak-yek expert and successfully complete “A Game of Wits” in Indiana Jones and the Great Circle.

Contents Overview

How to Play Mak-Yek
- Locating the Puzzle
- Understanding the Rules of Mak-Yek
How to Solve A Game of Wits
- Understanding Lorenzo’s Challenge
- Determining the Safe Combination in “A Game of Wits”

How to Play Mak-Yek

Locating the Puzzle

The location of the Royal Army Uniform on the map of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, within Voss' Camp.

The quest for “A Game of Wits” takes players to Voss’ Camp, specifically on the second floor of the structure near the Royal Army barracks. The journey requires a bit of strategy, as players must first land at Wat Chana Songkhram and traverse through a wall hole to infiltrate Voss’ stronghold. With numerous soldiers patrolling the area, stealth is crucial; acquiring a nearby Royal Army Uniform can also facilitate easier passage. Upon reaching the puzzle, you can interact with various elements such as Lorenzo’s Challenge, the Mak-yek rules, or the game board itself to initiate the quest.

Understanding the Rules of Mak-Yek

Mak-yek features a set of straightforward rules. In this game, each piece moves horizontally or vertically any number of squares, provided it does not pass through other pieces. Essentially, the movement resembles that of a rook in chess, although the capture mechanics differ significantly. Players will take control of the blue pieces, aiming to capture all the red pieces on the board.

There are two capture methods: custodian capture and intervention capture. The custodian method necessitates surrounding a red piece on two sides, while intervention capture involves sliding one of your pieces between two adjacent red pieces situated one space apart. Importantly, you can also execute custodian captures against multiple consecutively arranged pieces in a single row or column.

How to Solve A Game of Wits

Understanding Lorenzo’s Challenge

Indy holding the Lorenzo's Challenge note in Indiana Jones and the Great Circle.

As you begin playing, Lorenzo’s Challenge introduces an added layer of difficulty: you are restricted to moving only four pieces and can execute each move only once to capture all red pieces on the board. Fortunately, the red pieces remain stationary, eliminating the concern of losing your own pieces during gameplay.

Interestingly, in this puzzle, no pieces actually move; you need only visualize the board’s initial configuration. Consider sketching a diagram if it aids your thinking process. A close examination of Lorenzo’s Challenge reveals another critical detail: the safe code derives from the rows your pieces reach in sequential order. Essentially, as you capture all red pieces within four moves, you will document the corresponding rows, ultimately yielding the safe combination.

Determining the Safe Combination in “A Game of Wits”

The Mak-yek game board displayed on a low wooden table as seen in Indiana Jones and the Great Circle.

Here’s a step-by-step breakdown for conquering “A Game of Wits”:

First Move: Move the blue piece from F1 to F3, employing intervention capture against the surrounding red pieces. The first combo number becomes 3.
Second Move: The next combo number is 1.
Third Move: Slide B1 all the way to B8, capturing both the three red pieces in a row and one situated in a corner. Record this impressive combo number, now 8.
Fourth Move: Finally, shift F8 to F6, eliminating the last red pieces and securing your last combo number, 6.

In summary, the resulting safe combination for “A Game of Wits” is 3186. Your reward for cracking this puzzle is a sum of cash—while less thrilling than a new skill book, it is nevertheless useful. With this, you can triumphantly exit the quest, having solved another captivating challenge in Indiana Jones and the Great Circle.

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