Penumbra - the free game

I see from the WT the game auto-saves.
Is there any way to force it to save where you are?
I started the game this evening and still don't have a handle on the controls and wanted to come to it later. So I pressed ESC and when I did come back I had to start all over again.
I guess that's what happens when you are impatient.
Thanks
Until tomorrow - when my patience blooms.
RAL

RAL, about the controls, have a good look at the Manual.

The first auto-save is not to far from the beginning of the game.

Once you get the handle on the controls, you will get there fast.

As for force it to save where you are

Chief

Ral, from time to time you will see a thing that looks sort of like an outdoor lantern. It will have little lights on it and normally will be sitting on a desk or shelf after you enter some new area.

Go to that and click on it and that will save the game.

Of course, the bad news is you have to keep going back to the "artefact" to save your progress at will.

The game autosaves when you reach a new stage-you'll see the screen go all white for a moment and that means it saved.

Good morning

Thanks Chief and L4L.

Got to the first auto save this morning. Will keep at it after lunch. Not being too nimmble I used the flashlight a bit too often and it's getting low. Hope I can find some batteries soon.

RAL

RAL, Oooops

I goofed. You can save using the artifacts in Penumbra Black Plague. I saw Penumbra and did not even register the "Free Game" part of the description.

You cannot save using the artifacts in the free game. I didn't even know there was a free game

RAL, use the glowstick. It stays on all the time.

Have fun.

Chief

Hi Gang

Found some batteries
Was having a hard time to get that door in the corridor with the broken panel open. Then I got an

Reached auto save 2

RAL

RAL Way to go!

Not at the moment.
Went back to the game and I can't seem to load/continue after auto save 2 - I only get a black monitor screen and can't see the room with red bricks. If I click on new game I have no problem seeing graphics. I dnloaded version 1.1 - maybe I should try the patch anyways. Who knows?
Will let you know.

*****EDIT*****
Well the patch is no good for me - deletes the saved game after I've already begun the game.
I tried to reintall the game (after making a copy of my 2nd saved game - and then pasting it back into the save folder and it still is no good - get black monitor screen again - darn I wish I had made a copy of the first auto save)

Maybe Chief has a second auto saved game to send me - not tonight though - it's his birthday and am sure he is celebrating.
Once again Chief - Happy Birthday

***EDIT once again****
Just replayed from the start and quit out of the game after second auto save and still can't get back into the game - same problem - black monitor screen.
Guess it's time to move on to another game - such is life

***EDIT*** once again

Just thought - maybe I should play the game straight through (without checking out) when I have a full day to devote to it.

RAL

RAL, let me install the game and see what happens after the second auto save.

Be back tomorrow morning.

Chief

Okay Chief

Thanks - will check in tomorrow morning before being off to the hospital for yet more check-ups.

Hope you had a nice day - did your wish list come through?

Magic snow removal of the driveway for next winter

RAL

The day was great RAL. Magic snow removal: what a good idea.

Played to the second auto save, but when I hit the ESC key to EXIT, the game freezes. But when I come back to the game, I'm in the room with brick walls and the graphics is Ok, no black screen.

I'm not sure, but I think I can't send you a save. Will look at that more closely.

See you.

Chief

Hi Chief

Checked my email - got the saved game you sent me.

It works.

a lot

Will get to the game after my hospital visit.

RAL

Great. Was not sure it would work.

Have fun going through the next door.

Chief

Going nuts trying to kill the monster. Evil
Can't seem to get to the switch quick enough - how do I throw the dynamite?

***EDIT***

Finally got the monster!

RAL

Of course you did, RAL--after all, you posted the question...

Hi Jenny

Glad to see you.

Now am having another problem: with the mattress.
Can't seem to grab it at the right spot to move it.
There - now that I've posted maybe I'll have a brilliant solution from my sleepy brain.

RAL, if you go near the wall on the right of the mattress, can you grab it and then use the "A" key to move it to the left?

Chief

Hi Chief

Don't get a grab icon on the right - only on he left (top only).
Was hoping to get a grab icon on the side so I could push it
Noticed those 2 barrels - so I pulled them out of the way.
Will get it done I'm sure.

RAL

RAL, keep us up to date.

Chief

Just not working for me - at least not tonight.
When I have the grab icon on the barrells have no problem moving them with the directional keys.
When I have the grab icon on the mattress and use the "A" directional key the icon just moves off the mattress - the mattress does not slide to the left.

***EDIT***

Tried using a piece of dynamite on the mattress and I killed myself

RAL off to soon - yep now is really a good time for this.

RAL, dynamite on the mattress

Have you tried bending down as near as possile to the wall on the left side of the mattress and see if you can reach the valves.

If you turn off two valves, you can make it through the steam by running.

Chief

Just turned the page in the WT and saw more info on how to solve this problem - wish I had done this earlier

RAL - really time for this can wait until the morning

Back at it - when I get to the 2 boxes the top one keeps falling off.

If I don't get anywhere tonight I think this game is going to take the way of the doodoo bird.

RAL

RAL, so you are under the hatch. Build a step. When you are on the big box under the hatch, you should get the door icon.

Chief

Hello
Got to the garage - again going nuts with trying to get the electric cord. What is it with me with this game? Don't usually have so many problems one after another.
Anyways, am shutting down for tonight.
Have to get up early tomorrow - friends and I are going up North to open up the cottage (Chief we live in the same area, so you know we are finally going to have a nice weekend)
See you Monday or Tuesday.

RAL

RAL, good for you on making it to the garage.

It is indeed a special game with all those objects to manipulate.

Have fun at the cottage with that nice weather.

Chief

Hello

Think I've had it with this game. Am in the garage and can't get to the elecrtic cord. Know I have to use the 2 lifts and one of the 2 boxes. The brown box keeps tipping over when I move it. The other box at the far end is almost impossible to move forward.
The dynamite keeps killing me.
Guess WASD and I don't get along

RAL

Ral, good to see you.

Before you throw the game away, have a try at this:


Bring/drag the big grey box from under the shelves in front of the first lift (to be on the side of the levers), very close to it and in the middle.

Grab a plank from the left of the shelves and place it on the two lifts to make a bridge. Place it to have the longest part of the plank from one lift to the other on the top of the center metal part.

Grab the second plank and place it (longuest side) to lean on the shelves with the upper part leaning against the 2th shelf.
Now grap the bottom part of that plank and place it on the rail of the lift close to the shelves, keeping the upper part leaning on the 2th shelf.

Now go to the levers and face them to see the lifts. Bring the lifts slowly up one after the other. The first lift should be higher than the box and the second lift higher than the first lift, thus creating a bridge to the cord.

Jump on the box and walk the planks to the cord.

Good luck and have fun.

Chief

Thanks Chief

Had already tired to pull that plank with no result - same problem as the mattress - it just won't move.

Will try all this when my WASD fingers are in shape.

Get back to you in a couple of days.

RAL

Good evening

Thought I'd try again and it's a no go. I can't move either plank.
End of game for me.
Such is the life of a gamer - you can't win them all

Thanks for the help you gave Chief - much appreciated.

RAL

RAL, sorry about that. Have fun with your next game.

Chief