Prophetic Tips

Indigo Prophecy™ is the latest adventure offering from Atari and Quantic Dreams for the Xbox® console. In it, you play the four central characters on both sides of a grisly murder investigation. As the game progresses, strange events unfold that catapult you into the midst of a terrifying supernatural nightmare.

Unlike conventional adventure games, Indigo Prophecy has multiple endings and a healthy balance of puzzle-solving and action-oriented minigames to keep you on the edge of your seat. Though the game can be won through simple trial-and-error, that's no way to beat a murder rap—especially when you've been set up! I've compiled a list of handy tips that should stave off the unnecessary rash of "Game Over" screens waiting to assault you.

The glamorous life of a bachelor...

Stop, Look, and Listen
Nearly every environment you explore in Indigo Prophecy is a treasure trove chock full of evidence and Easter eggs. In order for you to satisfy your current character's immediate goals you'll need to scour every nook and cranny for clues. Repetition pays off as well, so don't be afraid to inspect an object several times before moving on.

Each time you successfully perform an action to your character's advantage, he or she receives a modest bump in mental health points. Likewise, failing certain minigames or enduring a depressing event will leech from your reserves and dampen your mood.

If you neglect your character's mental well-being for too long you risk losing the game, so it pays to boost your mood points. This can be done a variety of ways, so experiment by playing the various minigames in the area (like hitting the punching bag or playing the guitar in Lucas' apartment) to return from the brink of depression.

Just like in real life, prescription drugs and alcohol don't mix.

Earn extra lives by collecting crosses hidden throughout the game. Open every drawer and cupboard to greatly increase your chances of finding one.

Use Your Head
The puzzles in Indigo Prophecy often require the use of common sense to solve. For instance, you visit a book store several hours into the game and are asked to locate a particular text. Roam the stacks, extract the requested book, and return it to the store's owner before he'll freely offer up information relevant to the investigation.

You may be inclined to wander the store aimlessly in the hopes that luck will intervene and the tome will leap off the shelves into your hands, but that ain't gonna happen. Instead you must call upon those dusty research skills you were taught as a wee lad in grammar school to find your prey. Search both ends of the store (on each floor) to encounter a series of logs and directories.

Examine the contents of the book on the shelf with the magnifying glass provided. Take special note of faintly written text you find, and recover the scrap of paper that falls to the ground. The answer to this riddle is pretty straightforward if you pay attention to the details.

Sometimes it pays to cover your tracks.

The same goes for locating the police file in the records room. Your character will be spooked by the cramped confines of the basement, so monitor the breathing to keep from hyperventilating. Listen to the audio cues as you reach the computer, then take note of the number system being used on the side of each filing cabinet.

Remember to play around with moving the shelves in front to reach areas in the back of the room, so note any obstacles in your way and plan an alternate route when necessary.

Just like in real life, prescription drugs and alcohol don't mix. Don't imbibe both in one sitting unless you like staring at the inside of a funeral casket.

Get Moving
In some instances you are forced to race against the clock. One of the earliest time challenges you face is when Lucas Kane awakes from his slumber and must hide any evidence of the murder before an inquisitive police officer busts down the door to his apartment. If you don't move quickly and efficiently, the cop will discover your secret and the game will end.

Time to bust a move.

To successfully pass this event, you first need to know what the cops are looking for. There is a bloody shirt on the living room floor and a stained sheet in the bedroom. Stash the evidence (there's a washer/dryer in the bathroom) and bandage your wounds at the sink before answering the door. If you neglect to clean up your mess, the officer will snoop around your apartment looking for clues until he finds something to link you to the murder.

These are but a few tips to help you in your adventure. If you've got a tip of your own or have a question about a particularly tough spot, join the Xbox community and post in the Xbox.com forums. Good luck out there!

Article by Franklin Beans