Welcome back, gumshoe. The trail has been long and winding, full of dames, danger, and dastardly deeds. Now, we find ourselves at the doorstep of what could be the key to unraveling this whole conspiracy: The House of the Empty Mouse. It sounds like a place where hopes go to die, but for us, it’s where we’ll find the answers we need. Let’s get to it.
Main Objectives
- Infiltrate the mysterious house.
- Search for and uncover Dr. Bandel’s hidden notes.
- Get out in one piece.
Step-by-Step Walkthrough
The House of the Empty Mouse lives up to its name. It’s an eerie, abandoned-looking manor that just screams “trap.” Keep your wits about you and your favorite weapon handy. From the moment you step inside, you’ll notice the strange architecture and unsettling silence. This place is a maze, designed to confuse and disorient.
Your first goal is to find a way into the main study. The front door will likely be locked, so you’ll need to do some classic sleuthing. I found a loose window on the ground floor around the back of the house. A little jimmying with your tailpick, and you’re in.
Once inside, the real challenge begins. The house is crawling with Bandel’s robotic goons and security systems. They’re tougher than the usual grunts, so keep moving and use the environment for cover. I found the Boomstick to be particularly effective for clearing rooms, but your trusty Revolver will do the trick if you’re a good shot.
Navigate through the dusty corridors until you find a grand library. This is where your detective senses should start tingling. Among the thousands of books, you’re looking for a hidden switch or a book that’s out of place. I found it on the second-floor balcony of the library—a large, leather-bound tome that, when pulled, revealed a secret passage behind a bookshelf.
This passage leads down to a hidden laboratory, which is where Bandel was clearly cooking up his most sinister schemes. The place is littered with strange contraptions and half-finished experiments. Your target, Bandel’s notes, should be on a large desk in the center of the lab. Grab them, but be ready for a fight. The moment you pick them up, the lab will go into lockdown, and you’ll be ambushed by a wave of enemies. Survive the onslaught, and the lockdown will lift, allowing you to make your escape.
Collectibles
Even in a place this creepy, there are treasures to be found. Keep your eyes peeled for these collectibles:
- Comic: In the main entrance hall, look for a small table with a vase. The comic is tucked underneath it.
- Newspaper: In the kitchen, on a countertop next to a rusty old sink, you’ll find a newspaper detailing strange occurrences in the area.
- Baseball Card: In the master bedroom on the second floor, check the nightstand next to the bed.
- Schematic: In the hidden laboratory, before you grab Bandel’s notes, look for a smaller side room. The schematic for a new weapon mod is on a workbench inside.
- Figurine: The “Empty Mouse” figurine is located in the attic. You’ll need to find a ladder in one of the upstairs closets to access it. It’s sitting on a dusty old crate.
Boss Fights and Tough Encounters
There’s no major boss fight in this chapter, but the house itself is the main antagonist. The ambush in the laboratory is the toughest part of the mission. My advice is to find a corner with good cover before you grab the notes. This will allow you to funnel the enemies into a choke point and take them down one by one. Don’t be afraid to use your special abilities and gadgets here; you’ll need them. Keep your Boomstick ready for close encounters and check every corner for hidden Schematics. Good luck, detective.