Hello!

After getting to save point three I go round the mansion to get three blue keys so I can get through three blue doors to get to save point four. My problem is - I've only ever managed to get two. Boo! Hiss!

However, in previous parts of the mansion I avoided the scary lightning bit at the top, and I know there is another blue key there. So, do I have to go through the scary lightning bit and get electrocuted 10,000 times to get that blue key? Or is there another hidden one I haven't found?

Answers on a postcard please!

:).

xxx.

You only have to get the blue key from the Thunderstorm if you're going for the real ending. If you're going for the fake ending you don't need to do that part.

DAM*N!!!

It's already hard enough running up and down to switch the gold/silver block lever, and then getting across the really hard lava/moving block room to get down the ladder at the bottom of the mansion.

I think i'll redo the upstairs section with the lightning. Back to save point one m'thinks!

Poo poo poo.

Ta for the info! I really want to get through those 5 blue doors near save point four.

:).

If you shouldn't know. Your Jack is walking around in the best made mansion ever. A Curious Observatory is in my personal opinion better than all other included and custom mansions. But it is also one of the hardest.

I hate zapper beam stuff, because I am oh so bad in those things. But the thunder storm is, although extremely difficult, a marvellous creation! There are two things you need to do to get through. One: try to make a saving before the thunderstorm with as much lives as possible. Two: at the start of that thunderstorm do NOT do what I did when I visited ACO ---> running around like a chicken without a head. What you really nead to do is STOP and watch. And keep watching, because there is a system in it. And only when you know "the secret" of that storm go ahead. Oh! I almost forgot. I have some bad news for you. After taking that blue key, Jack has to return through that same thunderstorm.
8-)

I second that emotion.

"A Curious Observatory" is incredibly well-designed.
And -as I said before- one of only 2 (no, make that 3) mansions I've never mastered completely (yet) !!

As you, Lara, I never dared (or cared :)) for that thunderstorm section...... but I always admired its construction from afar.

BTW, Psychotronic, where is he ??  I wish he'd design a new one, soon....

I know where he is: in Alaska! ;D

He is often on line since a week or two and will surely give a reply himself on Lara's post.

Freddy wrote on 31.01.2007 at 07:00:44:

Oh! I almost forgot. I have some bad news for you. After taking that blue key, Jack has to return through that same thunderstorm.

Are you sure? what about that random sign and money in the shape of letter to the left of the blue key. Look on the map if confused.

Also, is it worth getting to the other side of save point four? Is there a lot more of the mansion to go?

Ta!

Happy Birthday, Lara!

;D

Lara wrote on 01.02.2007 at 06:41:57:

... Is there a lot more of the mansion to go? ...

I leave the other answers to Psychotronic, but the answer on this one is without any question: YES. Once you are through all the blue doors, about 30 to 40 % of the rooms is still to come. Among other things I remember a very nice, but difficult 2D-looking area.

Hey, Lara.

I don't think there's any other questions I can help with. Everybody's answers are correct. You do have to go through the lightning storm twice if you want to make it through the blue doors. That sign is more of a joke.

Sorry about the ridiculous difficulty, but the idea I had when I made ACO was to make a mansion that was a challenge to finish the first time, but left you with some extra-hard challenges once you were done. The lightning storm isn't that hard if you've got Mario games in your bloodstream, but it's way harder than most anything in any of the other mansions.

Hint: a mini-zap will show for exactly two seconds right above the spot where the lightning will hit. Spend most of your time watching the sky. Also, lightning can't get you when you're standing under a solid roof.

Ta for all the help but I think I'll have to get up the courage to do more ACO. Too much mental anguish!!!

Gonna do some other mansions first...

:).

My heart was racing as I FINALLY got through the lightning storm, and back, in one piece only to get squished by the freaking eyeball coming down the ladder! :'( Could I possibly do it again? Well, yes. I was able to go through hell and back and get down to the blue doors in one piece only to realize I needed one more blue key to save! ARGH!!!  :-/

My frustration is this..... I don't know the code for the top of the ladder when you pass through the first 3 blue doors. So much to my dismay, it looks like it's back to the lightning hell for me. :o

Someone... anyone..... help me stop the madness!!! ;)

A vague hint. It is very common that levers STOP zapper beams. But in ACO, there are a few places where levers START zapper beams. That must have a reason!

I've gotta try to beat this mansion... I hear its fascinating!  :)

WOOHOO!!!!

I did it!!!!

HINT: Go as far as you can before you save and make sure you have lots of lives before attempting the lightning storm. Also, be stingy with your keys. You'll be hating life if you get stuck without one!!

Freddy wrote on 31.01.2007 at 07:00:44:

If you shouldn't know. Your Jack is walking around in the best made mansion ever.A Curious Observatory is in my personal opinion better than all other included and custom mansions. But it is also one of the hardest.

Although I've only played the beginning area, I would have to completely agree here -- I LOVE the beginning of this mansion. It's truly fantastic. And yes, better than all the mansions that came with the game.

That's why I'm hiring Psychotronic to design a mansion or two for the expansion pack. This is being done separately from the level design contest, so if brilliance strikes again (I hope so!), you all still have a chance of winning that $300 prize for the best mansion. :-) Or should we let Psychotronic enter the contest, in addition to designing other mansions on the side? (Although then he couldn't be a judge...)

VernJensen wrote on 22.02.2007 at 15:08:05:

Or should we let Psychotronic enter the contest, in addition to designing other mansions on the side? (Although then he couldn't be a judge...)

I'm not shure whether that would be fair... as much as I love Psychotronic's mansions... if he is already getting that "extra" exposure anyway....and on top of that probably would win the contest....well, I don't know...!!

I have no problem at all. Psychotronic is by far the best PLAYER in the world. And it is only MY personal opinion that ACO is the best mansion made ever. But ... only for very experienced players. Believe me!! How many of you have ever seen the 2D-area?? And did beat it? Is there anyone out there that got 100 % secrets?

Psychotronic will have to be very good to beat someone like frost or Toybox in a competion. Euh ... in a matter of fact, Toybox-with-his-oh-so-bad-memory-although-being-a-mathsman, would be the best choise to be in the jury. Beside new-ryos, he is THE JS-specialist!

But, that is ... Vern's problem. The best designers are probably the best judges. Putting them in the jury will say, losing splendid mansions.

Why should being a maths-man prevent me from having a bad memory? :P Actually, I remember weird and useless facts (like Freddy first signing in as Niccolo Machiavelli in the second forum) and not more relevant stuff (where on Earth did I put these %$# car keys now?).

Maybe the jury should have some non-building players? (And I don't think that the amount of JS's would be of great influence on my choice if I had to judge mansions. Then again, metron to ariston.)

Appendix: just noticed this is in the ACO thread. To remain within topic: I find it indeed the most beautiful mansion, both by its looks and puzzles. I just wish it was slightly more accessible  ;) (Let's not complain: after all there is an easy way out.)

Aha! Like I did remember your real name from the first boards. First boards? Feels like the Stone-Ages.

Toybox made an important point above:  there should really be some PLAYERS, who are not DESIGNERS on the jury....'cause we designers might judge differently, knowing all the "building tricks" etc.  So I vote for a half 'n'half jury of builders and players.

And BTW, I said it too, a long while ago...that ACO is the best-built mansion..... and again Toybox is right...if it only was more accessible, so everyone might be able to experience the whole of its beauty.  ;)

[quote author=Freddy link=1170189577/15#17 date=1172172774]I have no problem at all. Psychotronic is by far the best PLAYER in the world. And it is only MY personal opinion that ACO is the best mansion made ever. But ... only for very experienced players. Believe me!! How many of you have ever seen the 2D-area?? And did beat it? Is there anyone out there that got 100 % secrets?

I beat the thing but only had 91% secrets. I'm going back to play it again now that I know where everything is. ;)

-Jen

Freddy wrote on 20.02.2007 at 22:52:39:

A vague hint. It is very common that levers STOP zapper beams. But in ACO, there are a few places where levers START zapper beams. That must have a reason!

Hi Freddy,

Well, I'm going to try the thunderstorm again.  I put this mansion on hold for a while.  

Re: your hint, I did try not pulling those levers with the b.b., but the thunderstorm still was full force.  

1.Which levers are you referring to?
2.Do they actually stop or slow down the storm.  I have gotten thru it one way only.
3. Is there another blue key elsewhere or do we have to go thru the storm?
4. can't another blue key be put elsewhere, other than the storm?
5. there should be a save on the same level as the storm.

Wish me luck.....love this mansion, toooo bad the storm prevents us from getting the necessary key to continue the game.  
[smiley=cry.gif] [smiley=cry.gif] [smiley=cry.gif]

I made it thru the storm, got my 3 blue keys.....went up the ladder & messed up the code.  I am on my 4 try.   Can some one PM me the code please.

Hey Missy- check your messages.

Hi Josephine,

Thank you so much for taking the time to help me with the code.  

You are so right.....the next part is very hard.  But with practice...I hope to over come the difficulty.  (Hopefully sometime this year!)  lololol
I wish there was a save close by after making it thru those crazy rooms.

Added note:  I finally finished the mansion.  Had to try many times, but finally got thru it.
It is really an Epic of a Mansion.  

Hey Missy

I know it is more or less a matter of adoration. But I still believe that this is the best mansion ever. Large, (very) hard, clearly devided sections, really perfect design, superb master puzzle and most importantly: ABSOLUTELY FAIR !!

Enjoy.