Let me tell you something – when I first reached the prison area in Tormented Souls 2, I was completely stumped. The darkness, the eerie sounds, and those locked cells with monsters pounding against the bars… it’s enough to make anyone’s heart race. But after spending hours figuring this out (and dying more times than I’d like to admit), I’m here to walk you through exactly how to solve this frustrating prison puzzle.
What You’re Up Against in the Prison?
Before we dive into the solution, let me set the scene for you. The prison area in Tormented Souls 2 is one of those places that just feels wrong from the moment you step foot in it. I mean, what kind of convent has a full-blown prison with medieval torture devices underneath? Someone definitely has some explaining to do.
When you first enter, you’ll find yourself in a circular chamber with railings in the middle. There’s a power lever right next to the entrance, but spoiler alert – it doesn’t work yet. You’ll notice all the cell lights are red, meaning they’re locked tight, and there’s this ominous pit in the center that just screams “don’t fall in.”
The real kicker? There are monsters in those cells, and they’re not happy about being locked up. I learned this the hard way when one of them slammed his fist against the bars right as I walked by. Let’s just say I may have jumped higher than I’d care to admit.
The Key to Everything: Finding the Symbol Paper
Here’s where things get interesting. To solve this puzzle, you need to find the Symbol Paper – the clue that tells you exactly what to do. Here’s how I found it:
- Loop around the circular area and take the first door on your left
- Head down the stairs to reach another circular chamber with multiple locked cages
- Look for the open cell at the end of the area
- Run in quickly and grab the piece of paper on the trolley inside
Now, I need to warn you about something – the moment you grab that paper, you’re going to get ambushed. A spider-like monster will appear at the door, and let me tell you, these guys are no joke. They’ve got more health than the humanoid creatures and a wider range of attacks.
Pro tip: I found it’s best to either light the candelabra in the cell or run back out to where there’s more light. These spider monsters hate light, and it makes them much easier to deal with. I personally used the Nailer on them since they can take quite a beating.
Understanding the Symbol Paper Clue
Once you’ve dealt with the monster (congratulations if you survived!), take a good look at the Symbol Paper you just picked up. This is your roadmap to solving the puzzle, but it’s not exactly straightforward.
When I first looked at it, I was confused as heck. But here’s what you need to know:
- Flip the paper over to read the writing on the back
- The paper shows a bunch of symbols with a green check mark and a red X
- The green check mark indicates which types of shapes fit inside the large picture on top of the note
- The red X shows which shapes don’t fit
Essentially, you need to turn the switches to point at symbols that could fit within that large picture on the note. It’s like a weird shape-matching game, but with the added pressure of knowing monsters could break out at any moment.
Locating the Power Panel
Now that you have the clue, you need to find where to actually use it. Here’s what you do:
- Return to the first circular area with the railings
- Continue heading right until you find another small subsection
- Look for the red panel on the wall (it should have some wires coming out of it)
Before you can mess with the panel, you’ll need your Pliers. If you don’t have them yet, you can find them in the Staff Room on the first floor. Trust me, you’ll want these for a lot of puzzles in this game.
Use your Pliers to cut the wire on the panel. This will add a Wire to your inventory, and more importantly, it will open up the panel to reveal the circuit boxes inside.
The Solution: Setting the Switches Correctly
Alright, here’s the moment you’ve been waiting for – the actual solution to the puzzle. Inside the panel, you’ll see five dials that you can turn either left or right. Each dial points to one of two symbols.
Based on the Symbol Paper clue, you need to set them in this exact pattern from left to right:
- Right
- Left
- Left
- Left
- Right
I’ve seen this represented in different ways across various guides – some show it as / \ \ \ /, but it all means the same thing. The first and last switches point right, while the middle three point left.
Important note: You won’t know if you’ve done it correctly until you pull the main lever. So don’t panic if nothing happens immediately after setting the switches.
Activating the Power and Unlocking the Cells
Once you’ve set all the switches correctly, it’s time to see if your hard work paid off. Head back to the second circular room – the one with all the jail cells and the steel walkway in the middle.
You’ll see a lever on that steel walkway. Go ahead and pull it. If you set the switches correctly, something amazing will happen:
- All the cell lights will turn from red to green
- The cells will unlock with a satisfying click
- You’ll hear the power surge through the area
When I first did this, I have to admit, I felt pretty proud of myself. After all that frustration and trial and error, seeing those lights turn green was incredibly satisfying.
What Happens Next: Accessing the Crypts?
Now that the power is on and the cells are unlocked, you can finally access what you came here for – the Crypts below the prison. Here’s what you need to do:
- Go around the area and open the jail cells one by one
- Loot everything you can find inside (there’s some good stuff in there!)
- Look for the ladder that leads down to the Crypts
The Crypts are where you’ll find the Cursed Book, which is essential for progressing further in the game. I won’t spoil too much, but let’s just say things get even more interesting (and terrifying) once you head down there.
Common Problems and Troubleshooting
Based on my experience and what I’ve seen from other players, here are some common issues people run into with this puzzle:
Problem: The Lever Won’t Activate
If you pull the lever and nothing happens, double-check that you’ve set all the switches correctly. It’s easy to mix up the order or accidentally turn one the wrong way.
Problem: Can’t Find the Symbol Paper
Make sure you’re looking in the right cell – it’s the open one at the end of the prison area. If you’ve already grabbed it, check your inventory to make sure you actually picked it up.
Problem: Spider Monster Keeps Killing Me
These guys are tough, I get it. Try using the Nailer if you have it, and make sure you’re fighting in a well-lit area. Light is your best friend against these creatures.
Problem: Don’t Have Pliers
If you don’t have the Pliers yet, you need to backtrack to the Staff Room on the first floor of the Convent. They’re pretty hard to miss once you know where to look.
Tips for Making This Easier
After going through this puzzle multiple times (both for my playthrough and to write this guide), here are some tips I wish I’d known from the start:
- Save before entering the prison – This way, if you mess up, you can reload instead of having to backtrack
- Keep your lighter fueled – You’ll need it for lighting areas and dealing with monsters
- Stock up on ammo – The spider monster in the cell takes quite a few hits
- Take your time – There’s no timer, so don’t rush and make mistakes
Why This Puzzle Matters in the Bigger Picture?
You might be wondering why you’re going through all this trouble for what seems like a simple power puzzle. Well, let me tell you – this is actually a pretty important moment in the game.
Solving this prison puzzle:
- Unlocks access to the Crypts where you’ll find the Cursed Book
- Opens up new areas of the Convent for exploration
- Gives you valuable items and resources from the prison cells
- Progresses the main story significantly
When I finally got through this section, I felt like I had accomplished something major. The game really ramps up after this point, so consider this your final test before things get really intense.
My Personal Experience with This Puzzle
I have to be honest with you – this puzzle frustrated me more than almost any other in the game. I spent at least an hour running back and forth, trying different switch combinations, and dying to that spider monster more times than I’d like to admit.
What finally clicked for me was understanding that the Symbol Paper wasn’t just showing random symbols – it was showing which symbols could fit inside that larger shape. Once I realized that, the solution made perfect sense.
The feeling when those cell lights finally turned green… man, that was something else. It’s moments like these that make Tormented Souls 2 such a rewarding game to play.
Final Thoughts
The prison puzzle in Tormented Souls 2 is definitely one of the more challenging ones you’ll encounter, but it’s also one of the most satisfying to solve. I hope this guide helps you get through it without too much frustration.
Remember, the key steps are:
- Find the Symbol Paper in the open cell
- Deal with the spider monster ambush
- Use your Pliers to open the power panel
- Set the switches: Right, Left, Left, Left, Right
- Pull the lever to activate the power
- Enjoy your access to the Crypts!
Good luck out there, and happy gaming! And remember – if you get stuck, just take a breath, save your game, and approach it with fresh eyes. Sometimes that’s all it takes to see the solution that was right in front of you all along.
FAQ: Tormented Souls 2 Prison Puzzle
Where do I find the Symbol Paper in Tormented Souls 2?
The Symbol Paper is located in the open cell at the end of the prison area. When you grab it, be prepared for a spider monster to ambush you!
What’s the correct switch pattern for the prison puzzle?
The correct pattern from left to right is: Right, Left, Left, Left, Right. This can also be represented as / \ \ \ /.
Why won’t the prison lever activate when I pull it?
If the lever won’t activate, double-check that you’ve set all five switches correctly. The lever only works when all switches are in the proper positions.
Do I need any special items to solve the prison puzzle?
Yes, you’ll need the Pliers to cut the wire and open the power panel. You can find the Pliers in the Staff Room on the first floor of the Convent.
What happens after I solve the prison puzzle?
Once you solve the puzzle, all the prison cells will unlock, allowing you to loot them and find the ladder leading down to the Crypts where you’ll find the Cursed Book.
How do I deal with the spider monster in the prison cell?
The spider monster has more health than regular enemies. Use the Nailer if you have it, and try to fight in well-lit areas since these creatures are weaker in light.
Can I go back to the prison area later if I miss something?
Yes, you can return to the prison area later in the game if you need to, but it’s generally easier to grab everything while you’re there the first time.
What’s the point of solving the prison puzzle?
Solving this puzzle unlocks access to the Crypts below the prison, where you’ll find the Cursed Book – a key item needed to progress the main story.
Want more Tormented Souls 2 guides and tips? Check out our other articles on solving the Cryptex puzzle, finding all collectibles, and surviving the toughest boss fights!