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Survey Island is one of the smaller landmasses inRiven, but that’s only on the surface. It has a hidden subterranean level that Gehn uses to exert his influence over the entire world. You’ll have to put your puzzle-solving skills to the test to enter his sanctum and make progress toward completing your mission.
Gehn, predictably, is protective of his secrets, so you won’t just be able to walk into his fortress. If you’re having trouble getting into the lower levels of Survey Island, this guide will put you on the right track.
How To Get To Survey Island
The first time you visit Survey Island, you’ll need to do so bytaking the tram from Boiler Island.Leave Gehn’s workshop via the back door, next to the Fire Marble workbench. The walkway behind the building leads straight to the tram station, which operates identically to the one that runs between Temple Island and Jungle Island.
How To Unlock The Elevator On Survey Island
Upon arrival, you only have one path to take. It will lead you to an elevator, which you can ride to the upper level. There’s also afive-by-five grid of buttonson the elevator console. Entering the correct sequence will unlock the elevator.
To learn the code,use the panel on the balcony overlooking the courtyard.Press the button on the top, and you’ll see blocks that match those below.Slide them horizontally and vertically so that they’re arranged in the same pattern as below, then move them into the center so that theyform a single five-by-five square.
Lights will appear on the grid; memorize, screenshot, or write down the pattern, thenpress the buttons on the elevator consoleso that the lit buttons match the pattern on the balcony terminal. When the correct pattern is entered, the elevator will automatically take you to theObservation Chamber.
What To Do In The Observation Chamber
The device in the Observation Chamber has two cameras, each of which can be activated by using thelevers on either side of the console at the top of the stairs.The left camera doesn’t give you any necessary information to complete the game, but it shows that Catherine is alive and well and that Gehn knows you’re in Riven.
The right-hand camera monitors theunderwater power supplies at the bases of the rotating spheres.Rotate the interface using the outer handles, then press each button andtake a note of which color lightis associated with each of the symbols. You’ll need this information later, along with the force values from the workshop on Boiler Island.
You can use the in-game screenshot tool to send images straight to the Notebook, accessible from the menu, which is especially useful if you’re playing in VR.
Note that one lightwill not turn on, so you’ll need to extrapolate the correct color later. There’s also a subtle difference between the yellow and orange lights, so double-check as you take your notes!
How To Open The Rotating Sphere On Survey Island
By the time you reach Survey Island, you’ve probably accessed one or more of the rotating spheres connected to theStarry Expanse.Normally, you would need to stop the zoetrope bypressing the button when the correct symbol appears, but the zoetrope is misaligned and can’t be repaired. Instead, you’ll have toguess with your timing.
The easiest way to do this is towatch the sphere through the Moiety looking-glasswhile you’re waiting to press the button, and hit it just as the paint mark passes the zoetrope.
Go inside and connect the node, activating the machinery so that you’re able to travel back here quickly later. Once that’s done, return to the surface - there’s still more to do on Survey Island!
How To Reach The Golden Chamber
Gehn has another secret elevator back at the tram station.Board the tram and pull the first leverto turn it around back toward Boiler Island, butdon’t pull the second lever.Instead, disembark onto the opposite platform. Open the door to reach the golden chamber that you may have seen through the grate in the ground in the courtyard.
Pull the leverat the end of the walkway to call the elevator and climb aboard. Press the button inside to reach Gehn’s secret tunnel, which includes his personal tramway to Jungle Island.
As you enter the tunnel, you’ll startle one of Gehn’s minions. You can’t catch him, but if you follow him quickly enough tosee him escape in the tramyou’ll get an Achievement / Trophy. Wait a few seconds for the tram to reset, thenpress the blue buttonto call a car of your own and pursue him to Jungle Island.
