Puzzles & Keys — How Every Lock Thinks

The Four Puzzle Families

Every obstacle in Trapped in the Dollhouse belongs to one of four families. Identify the family and the solution logic follows:

1. Key-and-Lock (Direct)

A physical key opens a specific lock. If a lock rattles and refuses, the key simply isn't in your inventory yet — keep exploring; brute-forcing other items on it does nothing.

2. Symbol Padlocks (Pattern)

A multi-symbol padlock wants related symbols — a color repeated on a toy, a number painted on furniture, an object in a family photo. The code is a *story about the room*, not a random combination. Re-scan the room's decorations for the pattern's theme.

3. Hidden Codes (Memory)

Numeric codes are scattered as environmental detail — on notes, toys, wall scratches. They frequently fit a lock two rooms away from where you found them. Screenshot every code the second you see it; this single habit prevents most dead-ends.

4. Item Combination (Inventory)

Some solutions need two inventory items used together, or one item applied to an odd hotspot (teapot → drawer, bow → switch). If an item has sat unused for a full room, it's probably a *combining* piece — try pairing it with your oldest held item.

Reading the Room Like the Designer

• Anything off-pink, slightly open, or mismatched with the dollhouse's perfect theme is a hotspot suspect
• Bows, stuffed animals, tea sets and photos hide switches more often than dark corners do
• Floor-level hotspots (shelf undersides, rug edges) are the most-clicked *misses* in the game — slow your cursor down low

When You're Truly Stuck

1. Re-click every "dead" object once — story shifts activate old hotspots
2. Re-read your notes for the odd detail you ignored
3. Check whether an unused item combines with another unused item

Full route context lives in the complete walkthrough.

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