Welcome back, gumshoe. The trail is getting hotter, and the stakes are higher than ever. After the chaos at the opera, all signs point to the eccentric inventor, Bandel. But this is bigger than a simple case of a missing magician. We’re diving deep into the rabbit hole, right into the heart of Bandel’s hidden laboratory. Expect mechanical monstrosities, convoluted contraptions, and secrets that will blow this case wide open. Keep your wits sharp and your Boomstick loaded; this is where things get weird.
Main Objectives
Your main goals in the Bandel’s Laboratory mission are to uncover the inventor’s secrets. You’ll need to:
- Find the secret lab entrance and take the elevator down.
- Search the sprawling lab complex.
- Defeat the triple-threat boss: Watchamacallit-001, 002, and 003.
- Crank up the projector’s power to reveal a hidden message.
- Investigate the “secret” secret lab.
- Pin the crucial lab clues to your case board.
Bandel’s Laboratory Walkthrough
Your first task is getting inside. The entrance isn’t marked on any map. Look for a seemingly ordinary storefront, but use your Detective Brush to reveal a hidden switch disguised as a loose brick. Activating it reveals a service elevator that serves as your personal transport to the madness below.
Once you descend, you’ll find yourself in a massive, multi-level laboratory that feels like it’s been pulled straight from a sci-fi serial. The place is crawling with Bandel’s robotic goons, so stay on your toes. Your primary goal is to navigate the complex and find the main research chamber. Follow the thickest power cables snaking along the floors and ceilings; they all lead to the heart of the operation.
Along the way, you’ll encounter several environmental puzzles. Keep an eye out for pressure plates, color-coded keypads, and levers that reroute power. One tricky section requires you to use your Grapple-Tail to swing across electrified floors while fending off flying drones. Remember to check every corner and side room, as this lab is packed with valuable resources and collectibles.
Eventually, you’ll reach a massive circular chamber where your progress is halted by a formidable security system: the Watchamacallit trio. See our boss guide below for tips on taking them down. Once the mechanical menace is reduced to scrap metal, you can proceed to the central console.
The console powers a massive projector. The image is faint, so you’ll need to find a way to boost the power. This involves a puzzle where you must redirect energy flow through a series of conduits. It’s a logic puzzle, so take your time and trace the connections. Once you succeed, the projector will display a schematic, revealing the location of yet another hidden area—Bandel’s real secret lab.
With this new information, backtrack to the main hall and use the clue from the projector to open a hidden passage behind a large, inert machine. This final area contains the last pieces of the puzzle for this chapter. Gather all the evidence, pin your clues, and get ready for the next leg of your investigation.
Chapter 4 Collectibles
Bandel’s lab is a treasure trove for a collector like you. Keep your eyes peeled for these hidden items:
- Comics (2): One is hidden in a locker in the employee breakroom. The second can be found by activating a hidden switch that lowers a platform in the main generator room.
- Newspapers (3): Look for these scattered on desks and workbenches throughout the lab. One is right near the entrance, another in the main control room, and a third near the projector console.
- Baseball Cards (2): One is a reward for a side job involving recalibrating some of Bandel’s rogue cleaning bots. The other is tucked away on a high shelf in a storage closet; you’ll need to do some creative platforming to reach it.
- Schematics (4): These are crucial for upgrading your gear. One is dropped by the Watchamacallit boss. Two are in heavily guarded safes that require tailpicking. The last one is your reward for solving the projector puzzle.
Boss Fight: The Watchamacallit Trio
This three-phase fight will test your combat and agility. The key is to stay mobile and learn each robot’s attack patterns.
Phase 1: Watchamacallit-001
The first robot is a ground-based brawler. It will charge at you and perform a devastating ground slam attack that sends out a shockwave. Dash to avoid the charge and jump over the shockwave. Its weak point is a glowing red panel on its back. Bait it into a charge, dodge, and then unload on its weak spot while it’s temporarily stunned.
Phase 2: Watchamacallit-002
After you dismantle the first, the second Watchamacallit drops from the ceiling. This one is an aerial unit that fires rapid-fire projectiles and a charged laser beam. Use the pillars in the room for cover. The laser has a long charge-up time, which is your window to attack. Its weak point is its central optic lens. A few well-aimed shots from your Micer will do the trick.
Phase 3: Watchamacallit-003
For the grand finale, the third robot combines abilities from the first two and introduces electrified floor panels. It will switch between ground charges and aerial bombardments. The floor will light up, indicating which panels are about to be electrified, so keep moving. Focus on dodging its attacks and only fire when you have a clear opening. There’s no single trick here—just pure, unadulterated skill. Survive the onslaught, and the path forward will be clear.
With the lab’s secrets exposed and its guardian defeated, you’re one step closer to unraveling the city-wide conspiracy. Good work, detective.