Nancy Drew 17: Legend of the Crystal Skull

Almost made it without coming here

I'm all the way at the eyes puzzle. I don't have a clue. I've read the "clue book" but it is not helping me. I'm assuming the story at the end is supposed to? I see numbers at the bottom of the pages that go from 1 to 25. I see some directional words in the text but nothing that is telling me anything. I've also tried the Sudoku approach to the puzzle but that didn't work either.

Is there a nudge you can give me without giving the whole answer/solution to me? I hate when I get to the end of a game and then get stuck.

Thanks!

You're right that the clue is the directions seen in the story.
The eyes can be moved in different directions.
There are 25 eyes and 25 directions in the story.

Thanks MaG. I'll keep concentrating on that then. I did not count 25 directions, only around 19. I'll study it some more!

I'm really impressed that you made it this far without needing hints.

Thanks Marian. I was surprised myself as several times I was stumped. Although, it's not entirely accurate to say I didn't have help. Twice while playing as Bess, I did get answers from Nancy. The first time I would probably not have figured out the answer on my own. The second time I kicked myself for being lazy because I'm sure if I had put some time and effort in, I would have gotten the puzzle on my own. I was tired and feeling claustrophobic though, unable to wander around in the game. Even if there is nothing to do in any other part of a game, wandering often helps me. I don't like when the game keeps you in one place until you get the puzzle solved. I should have taken my physical self away from the game for a bit but didn't.

Still not seeing 25 directions in this clue. Will try again tomorrow.

OK, it pains me to say this, but I cannot get this puzzle.

I have the strategy guide for this game, and it says the following:

"If you have 25 eyes, open the cabinet with the octopus and sailing ship. That artwork might remind you of Bruno's high-seas tale in the back of his book. What does it mean? If you read the story for references to specific directions and point the eyeballs (top to bottom, left to right) in those directions, something will happen. This can be a little confusing, so if you can't see the way..."

and then it gives the full answer.

Read the book carefully, scanning for words that depict a direction. Some will be obvious, others are not. I know I needed help with this puzzle.

How big of a spoiler would you like?

Hi Marian. On previous attempts I did try both going across (by row) and up and down (by column). This last attempt after I thought I finally found all the directions, I only went across, then I got frustrated and forgot to try the up and down, so let me try that first and I'll get back to you.

Sounds good. Another hint I found on the HeR Interactive forum was this:

The GB wt has the solution if you want it.

The story directions are to be entered by rows.

Argh. I mis-understood something in Marian's post and went and looked AGAIN for directions and tried them this time only up and down (columns). I will go back and try these directions by row. Thanks MaG.

Marian - thanks. I have found those beastie and sea-stricken directions. I really, really think I have them all now if I can just put them in the puzzle right.

I'll be back!

Good luck.

Well, unfortunately I had to use the walkthrough. On the first page (the 1-5 skulls) there were two "south" directions that I just could not find. I guess I could have asked you for just these first five but I had actually given up the idea that the numbers at the bottom of the pages meant something. Makes me mad when the last puzzle bests me but...

The puzzle that I had Nancy help Bess with, that I never would have got, involved words also (the Hamlet puzzle).

Some different puzzles as you said Marian.

Thank you both for trying to help me!!!

You did great.

Just in case; here's the first row:
Stealthily stalking them, famished and anxious, out hunting west waters, he was cantankerous.

Out here were the sea-stricken pirates aplenty. A week's worth of looting left their Large stomachs empty.

Glad you got through.

Thanks MaG. After looking at the your walkthrough, I was able to see both of the "south" directions quite clearly