Welcome back, gumshoe. The trail has led us deep underground, into the forgotten tunnels beneath the city. The air is thick with the smell of damp earth and something… cheesy. This is the territory of the Shrewd Shrews, a tight-lipped crew who know these depths better than anyone. If we’re going to get to the bottom of this case, we need to navigate their world, and that means getting our paws dirty. This is “Shrewd Shrews,” a mission that will test your wits and your trigger finger.
Main Objectives
Your main goals in this subterranean maze are to track down the elusive Old Shrew Lady and sort out a whole lot of plumbing problems while fending off some of the city’s less-than-savory characters. Here’s the official docket:
- Sniff out the Shrew Trail and ride the elevator down.
- Find the Old Shrew Lady.
- Locate the Pump Room and defend the pipe works.
- Find another valve to get the water flowing correctly.
- Chase a thieving magnetic hand—not once, but twice!
- Survive an enemy onslaught and a treacherous pit.
- Return to the Pump Room to stop the flooding.
- Pin The Depths clues to your case board.
Step-by-Step Walkthrough
You’ll start at the entrance to an old service elevator. The game will prompt you to use your detective senses to “sniff out” the trail. Follow the glowing scent markers to the elevator controls and head on down into The Depths. The ride is rickety, so be ready for trouble as soon as the doors open.
Finding the Old Shrew Lady
Once you’re off the elevator, the tunnels are a labyrinth. Your goal is to find the Old Shrew Lady, the matriarch of this underground society. You’ll need to navigate a series of interconnected passages, many blocked by malfunctioning doors or steam pipes. Keep your Boomstick handy, as you’ll run into plenty of goons looking to put a stop to your investigation. The path is fairly linear, but be sure to check every side passage for hidden goodies.
Eventually, you’ll find the Old Shrew Lady in a small, makeshift camp. She’s not one for pleasantries and will task you with fixing the pump system before she’ll give you any real information.
The Pump Room and Door Codes
This is where the mission’s title comes into play. To get the pumps working, you need to access a series of control rooms, and that means dealing with some locked doors. The “codes” aren’t your typical number pads, but rather environmental puzzles.
- First Door: The first control room is blocked by a door with a rusty valve. You’ll need to find a replacement. Backtrack a bit and look for a side area with a leaky pipe. A new valve is sitting on a crate nearby. Grab it, bring it back, and open the way.
- Second Door (The Magnetic Hand): After defending the first pump from an ambush, you’ll find the next path blocked. A mischievous magnetic hand will snatch a crucial lever and flee. You’ll have to give chase through a hazardous obstacle course. The hand is quick, so use your dash ability to keep up. Once you corner it, it’ll drop the lever. Be warned, it will pull the same trick again later in the level!
- Pump Room Access Code: The main Pump Room is sealed by a pressure-lock door. The code is a sequence of symbols you must have spotted on the walls throughout the level: Rat, Cheese, Pipe. Activate the panels in that order to unlock the door.
Surviving the Pit
After dealing with the magnetic hand for the second time, you’ll be dropped into a large pit. The lights will come on, and you’ll face a major onslaught of enemies. This is a pure survival challenge. Keep moving, use the environment for cover, and don’t be shy with your special abilities. The fight ends after you defeat several waves of thugs, and a new path will open up.
With the enemies cleared and the flooding stopped, you can return to the Old Shrew Lady. She’ll give you the information you need, allowing you to pin The Depths clues and close this chapter of the case.
Collectibles and Side Jobs
While specific collectible locations for this chapter are still being cataloged, The Depths are a prime spot for stashed secrets. As a rule of thumb in these old tunnels, always be on the lookout.
- Schematics: Check behind waterfalls and in the dark corners of dead-end tunnels. The shrews are clever engineers, and they don’t leave their plans lying around in the open.
- Comics & Newspapers: These are often found in the small camps and rest areas you’ll come across. Look for makeshift tables or bedding where someone might have left their reading material.
- Baseball Cards: Keep an eye out for any briefcases or lockboxes. Thugs often carry their prized possessions with them.
There are no formal side jobs in this mission, but thoroughly exploring the environment is sure to yield extra ammo and resources.
Boss Fights and Tough Encounters
This mission is less about a single big boss and more about surviving a series of tough encounters.
- Defending the Pipe Works: This is a wave-based defense. Enemies will come from multiple directions, so stay mobile. Prioritize taking out the ranged enemies first, as they can pick you apart while you’re dealing with melee attackers.
- Chasing the Magnetic Hand: This isn’t a fight, but a platforming challenge. Don’t try to shoot the hand; just focus on your movement. A single misstep can send you back to the start of the chase, so time your jumps and dashes carefully.
- The Pit Onslaught: This is the toughest fight of the chapter. Use your most powerful weapons and don’t conserve ammo. The arena is large, so use the space to create distance between you and the enemies. If you get overwhelmed, use your tail-whip to stun a group and give yourself a moment to breathe.
Stay sharp down there, detective. It’s a maze of pipes and problems, but with a little grit, you’ll make it through.