Welcome back to the grimy, rain-slicked streets of the big city, fellow gumshoes. After the explosive events of the prologue, it’s time to get our paws dirty with a real case. A magician has pulled a disappearing act, and it’s up to you, our favorite private investigator, to find out if it’s part of the show or something more sinister. This is where the real work begins, so grab your trench coat and let’s get to it.
Main Objectives
Your main goals in “The Vanishing Act” are to piece together the first major clues of the investigation. According to your case file, you’ll need to:
- Talk to Wanda and show your ID to the cop on the scene.
- Investigate Bandel’s greenroom to find initial clues.
- Leave the theater and make your way to the assistant’s department.
- Find a way through a hidden wall and navigate the subway.
- Locate and speak with Betty Deux-Fiddle.
- Pin the Vaudeville clues to your evidence board.
Step-by-Step Walkthrough
The mission kicks off right outside the theater. The cops have the place locked down, but a quick chat with Wanda and a flash of your P.I. license should get you past the fuzz. Once inside, the real investigation begins.
Investigating the Greenroom
Your first stop is the magician’s greenroom. The place is a mess, but that’s where the clues are hiding. Use your Detective Brush to reveal hidden footprints and other hints. You’ll need to poke around every corner. I found a suspicious-looking note tucked inside a top hat and a hidden compartment in the vanity mirror. Don’t leave until you’ve gathered everything.
The Assistant’s Apartment and the Subway
After you’ve exhausted the theater, it’s time to head to the assistant’s apartment. The route isn’t straightforward; you’ll have to navigate through some back alleys, dealing with a few of the city’s less-reputable rodents along the way. Keep your Boomstick handy for any close encounters.
Eventually, you’ll find a seemingly dead end. Use your wits (and maybe a well-placed kick) to find a breakable wall that leads into the old subway system. The tunnels are dark and crawling with enemies. Watch out for ambushes from the shadows and use the environment to your advantage. I found that kicking barrels into groups of thugs is a great way to save ammo.
Finding Betty Deux-Fiddle
Deep within the subway, you’ll find the person you’re looking for: Betty Deux-Fiddle. She’s a key witness, so have a chat with her to learn more about the case. She’ll point you toward your next lead, but not before you have to prove your worth. Once you’ve earned her trust, you’ll have the final pieces of the puzzle for this mission.
With all the evidence in hand, head back to your office to pin the Vaudeville clues to your board. This will wrap up the mission and set the stage for the next chapter of this sprawling mystery.
Collectibles and Side Jobs
This chapter is packed with secrets. Keep your eyes peeled, because you can find a whopping 14 collectibles, plus another 8 Baseball Cards available for purchase at the local shop.
Comics (3)
- Comic #1: In the theater’s main lobby, look for a secret vent behind the concession stand. You’ll have to crouch to get in.
- Comic #2: In the subway, after a major firefight, look for a ladder leading up to a hidden alcove above the tracks.
- Comic #3: In a locked room in the assistant’s apartment building. You’ll need to find the key on a nearby table to get in.
Newspapers (3)
- Newspaper #1: On a bench right at the start of the mission, just before you talk to Wanda.
- Newspaper #2: In the magician’s greenroom, on the corner of the main desk.
- Newspaper #3: On a crate in the subway, just before you meet Betty Deux-Fiddle.
Baseball Cards (3 + 8 from shop)
- Card #1: Dropped by the first tough enemy you encounter in the back alleys.
- Card #2: Hidden behind a stack of posters in the theater’s backstage area.
- Card #3: On a table in the subway station, near a flickering light.
Schematics (4)
- Schematic #1: Inside a tailpicked safe in the greenroom. It’s a tricky one, so be patient.
- Schematic #2: In the assistant’s apartment, hidden under a loose floorboard. Look for the scuff marks.
- Schematic #3: In the subway, you’ll need to solve a small switch puzzle to open a maintenance closet.
- Schematic #4: Rewarded for completing a small side objective for one of the friendly NPCs in the subway.
Figurines (1)
- Figurine #1: This one is tough. In the darkest part of the subway, you’ll need to use your Detective Brush to follow a nearly invisible set of footprints to a hidden nook in the wall.
Tips for Tough Encounters
While there are no major boss fights in “The Vanishing Act,” you’ll face plenty of the city’s thugs. Here are a few tips to stay alive:
- Conserve Your Ammo: Don’t be afraid to use your melee attacks on weaker enemies. Save your Boomstick and Tommy Gun rounds for the bigger threats.
- Use the Environment: Kick barrels, drop chandeliers, and use cover to your advantage. The world is your weapon.
- Stay Mobile: Standing still is a great way to get filled with lead. Keep dashing and jumping to make yourself a harder target.
- Check Every Corner: This is a noir game, after all. Secrets and ambushes are everywhere. Be paranoid. It’ll keep you alive.