We’re introducing progression through the monuments. Until now, all the content you looted in our monuments was readily available, there was little to none prep-work needed for a monument run, and you’d probably just run mindlessly through it unless you got to a jumping segment. Some monuments became harder last year with the addition of NPCs. The puzzles add a whole new layer to the game's mechanics: they will link monuments together into a coherent path, with increasing rewards and difficulty as you progress through a wipe cycle. They are also laying the foundations for player usable electricity in the future. The puzzles offer an extra layer of loot.
Here's a list of the monuments that contain puzzles and their relative complexity:
Basic Tier, grants access to Green Cards:
- Gas Station
- Junkyard
- Lighthouse
- Supermarket
Easy Tier, grants access to Blue Cards:
- Harbor_1
- Harbor_2
- Satellite Dish
- Sewer Branch
Medium Tier, grants access to Red and sometimes other Cards:
- PowerPlant
- Airfield
- Trainyard
- Water Treatment Plant
Harder Tier, grants access to Elite crate loot
- Launch Site
- Military Tunnels
The complexity is linked to the tiered map system, where larger and more rewarding monuments were already located.
Puzzle Flow
The puzzles will often start with you identifying power sources, such as generators, and re-establishing the power flow through the system. Some work alongside timers, some need the combined power from two sources to work. Some buildings can be accessed in different ways, for instance using sliding doors or key cards. In specific cases, you may find yourself trapped in a building by design until you find an auxiliary power source inside to power the doors release mechanism. When a puzzle has been modified or completed, a reset procedure will trigger after some time to refresh all of its elements and respawn loot for new players to attempt it.
Fuses
Fuses are found crates in the world and can currently last 180 seconds when plugged through flowing current inside a fuse box. Plan your moves ahead and be efficient.
Keycards
Keycards are found inside of puzzles on top of specific desks, usually in the final loot room. Key cards have 10 uses, so in order to preserve them, always ensure you swipe your access cards at powered on card reader terminals. You may also find Green cards on scientists throughout the world.
Puzzle Elements Visuals
A few of the elements currently releasing this patch, such as the AND/OR/Timer logic gate boxes, use temporary art which is set to be redone in the next update. Also to come is electric wires on poles, indicating connections between buildings. Wires connecting elements on walls/ceiling between rooms will also be added to help understanding the flow of a puzzle a little more easily.