I’m not sure about everyone else, but for me personally Classified Pipe 1 made zero sense and was super confusing. Will I be explaining how to solve the puzzle yourself? Absolutely not cuz I never figured it out myself lmao. Will I be showing you the solution to the puzzle? Yep!
The Puzzle
Unlike other maps, this one does not give you grid coordinates to orient yourself with, so if you aren’t already familiar with how the coordinates work:
Up to down is descending numerically 4-3-2-1
Left to right is ascending alphabetically A-B-C-D
Here’s the map you’re given for the level:
ㅤ
The four circles on each corner of the map represent the locations of each of the four valves you have to turn.
ㅤ
The compass on the right numbered 1-8 every 45 degrees represents the orientation of the valves. 1 is 0 degrees pointed straight up, 3 is 90 degrees pointed right, 5 is 180 degrees pointed straight down, and 7 is 270 degrees pointed left. To solve the puzzle, you have to orient each valve at one of the numbered angles.
ㅤ
Presumably, the actual puzzle’s answer would be obtained by using the numbers given on the coordinates, adding or subtracting the sums of the two coordinates of each valve, and you’d use that to find the answer. But I’m not smart enough to figure it out and I already have the answers, so I’ll save you the heavy lifting. If you just wanted to understand what the map represented and think you can figure it out on your own, then feel free to stop reading here. I will be covering the solution in the next section.
How to solve it
ㅤ
In order to complete the level, you have to orient each valve in the correct orientation to open a door located above the south-east valve in an undocumented dead-end tunnel, collect the map piece within, then return to the entrance. Here is the code and where the dead-end is located:
ㅤ
ㅤ
Go forward and turn left at the corner. Go forward one more time and you’ll arrive at the north-west valve. Turn it counter-clockwise three times until its in the bottom-left position (6 on the compass):
ㅤ
Head forward again and go left. There are two intersections that turn right and one at the far end that turns left. Go straight until the third intersection. This is where the map piece is located which will open once you activate all four valves:
ㅤ
Go left and move forward once to arrive at the north-east valve. Turn the valve clockwise once so it is in the top-right position (2 on the compass):
ㅤ
Continue forward to loop around the top section of the level. You’ll go left three times, then go right at the first intersection you come across. Go right again, then go left and forward to arrive at the south-west valve. Ignore this one because it should already be in the correct position, but if not already the valve should be pointed straight up (1 on the compass):
ㅤ
Proceed forward and loop around the bottom section of the level, going left two times. Move forward once more to approach the south-west valve, the last valve. Turn it clockwise twice (3 on the compass):
ㅤ
If you did everything correctly, the screen should shake and you should hear a hissing thud in the distance. Go forward and left, then right at the first intersection, then right again. The dead-end should now be open and you can collect the map piece:
ㅤ
If the visual and auditory cues didn’t play after turning the fourth valve, then turn left at the dead-end and loop around the level again hugging the right wall and make sure the valves are in the following orientations relative to the compass starting with the north-east valve: 2, 6, 1, 3. After you’ve collected the map piece, you can return to the top of the map. Move backwards twice to back out of the dead-end, go left, and follow the tunnel forward until you find the entrance. If you can’t find the entrance, refer to the bolded text at the top of the section.
You did it!
And that wraps up our share on Rodland of Pipes: How to solve Classified Pipe 1’s valve puzzle. If you have any additional insights or tips to contribute, don’t hesitate to drop a comment below. For a more in-depth read, you can refer to the original article here by CaliberPlex, who deserves all the credit. Happy gaming!