The recent release of Silent Hill f marks a notable return to a familiar setting that fans of the franchise may find both nostalgic and chilling. Unlike previous entries, which prominently featured the iconic Midwich Elementary, this installment transports players to Ebisugaoka Middle School. Here, players step into the shoes of Hinako, who returns to her alma mater for a harrowing experience.
As players enter the school, they quickly discover that almost every door is locked except for the main office and a single classroom. As a full-time teacher, I find this attention to detail refreshing. Many games often overlook realistic school security, especially regarding locked doors that are typically enforced even during the school day.
Among the locked areas is the Stairwell, an important location overseen by the meticulous Vice Principal, who is known for being particular about key management. Unfortunately for players, the key to this stairwell is not situated where it should be, leaving you to embark on a search to find it.
Fortunately, solving the Stairwell puzzle is one of the more accessible challenges within the school, primarily revolving around exploration. If you find yourself in need of assistance, here’s a detailed breakdown of how to navigate the Stairwell puzzle in Silent Hill f.
Navigating the Puzzle on Story Difficulty
A Hairpin to the Rescue
For players tackling the game on Story difficulty, the Stairwell puzzle is relatively straightforward, almost resembling a simple fetch quest due to its uncomplicated nature.
Upon entering the office, you’ll notice a sturdy steel pipe leaning against a nearby desk, which can be a useful weapon, especially considering the turbulent journey to this point. However, the desk drawer is locked, housing a letter from a frustrated teacher.
This letter requests the Vice Principal to reconsider locking the Stairwell key in the desk, as it becomes inaccessible in his absence. With him nowhere to be found, players will need to devise an alternative strategy to unlock the desk drawer.
Your next step is to access the only open classroom, where you can cleverly jump out of the window and make your way to the school garden. Explore the right corner of the courtyard, where a rabbit sanctuary—frequented by a character named Sakuko—awaits.
Inside the rabbit sanctuary, you’ll find a basket to your immediate right, which contains a charming hairpin, presumably belonging to Sakuko. However, be wary; as soon as you take it, disturbing entities hidden throughout the courtyard will awaken and pursue you. Unless you’re inclined to explore and gather supplies, it’s advisable to hurry back through the window and re-enter the school.
In addition to being a charming accessory, the hairpin doubles as a useful tool for picking simple locks, such as the drawer in the desk. Armed with this item, return to the office, unlock the drawer, and claim the Stairwell key hidden within.
Tackling the Puzzle on Hard Difficulty
Discovering the Key Among Flowers
For those venturing through Hard difficulty, finding the Stairwell key demands a bit more exploration to uncover clues regarding its location. The first hint can be found in the office—a letter authored by a disgruntled teacher lamenting the Vice Principal’s misplaced keys despite his obsessive efforts to keep track of them.
As you navigate the school, take a moment to inspect the area near the save point. Here, you’ll discover a newspaper clipping that divulges the Vice Principal’s triumph in cultivating a spectacular chrysanthemum garden, earning him the esteemed Governor’s Prize.
This clue is pivotal, indicating that the key is hidden among the flowers. Specifically, look for it resting in front of a bed of chrysanthemums located at the far right side of the courtyard.
Once the key is located, be prepared for action. Enemies will swarm as soon as you pick it up, so stay vigilant and remember the entry point from which you came; that will be your path to safety.
The Challenge of Lost in the Fog Difficulty
Gathering Supplies for Survival
On Lost in the Fog difficulty, players will need to invest considerable time exploring the middle school to uncover the necessary information regarding the key’s whereabouts. This thorough exploration is advisable over an impulsive leap outside to check the same flower beds, which, from experience, offers little reward and could compromise your health.
Eventually, you’ll find a letter detailing how the Vice Principal lost his keys while attending to the flower gardens. This key clue hints that the keys were likely misplaced alongside his gardening tools.
To locate the keys, you’ll have to climb to the upper levels and navigate around to the right side of the courtyard, where you’ll find a secluded area filled with gardening supplies and unplanted flowers. However, make haste, as lurking threats are hot on your heels, and getting stuck on the stairs could be detrimental.
Once you retrieve the key, the challenge remains to return to the school without falling victim to the lurking monsters in the garden.
As this is indeed the authentic Stairwell key, players will simply need to navigate their way back into the school to progress further in the game without delay.
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