TL;DR
- Count letters in ‘What’ (4), ‘Later’ (5), ‘Hell’ (4) for combination numbers
- Use directions: Left for first number, Right for second, Left again for third
- Navigate Roman numerals on dial – find 4 and 5 near bottom right
- Avoid full rotations between numbers – single turns only
- Manifest inside safe completes Chapter 3 docks objective
In Chapter 3 of Alone in the Dark, players navigate through eerie fog-covered docks to locate a crucial warehouse containing essential documents. The primary challenge involves accessing a secured safe that holds the manifest needed for story progression.
This visual clue provides the only guidance for unlocking the docks warehouse safe.
Within the warehouse office, you’ll discover a perplexing note that serves as your sole decryption tool. The document features three emphasized words within the phrase that form the puzzle’s foundation. Many players find this cryptic message initially confusing, but understanding combination lock mechanics provides crucial context.
The safe mechanism operates on traditional rotating dial principles, requiring specific directional movements rather than complex cipher decryption. This differs significantly from other environmental puzzles throughout the game that often involve multiple clue layers.
The enigmatic clue “What is left, Later is right, and Hell is back again” contains the complete solution through simple letter enumeration. Each bolded word corresponds directly to both the numerical value and rotational direction required.
Begin by calculating character counts: “What” contains 4 letters, “Later” has 5 letters, and “Hell” comprises 4 letters. This generates your numerical sequence: 4, 5, 4.
Traditional combination locks demand specific rotational patterns: initial left turn (counterclockwise), subsequent right turn (clockwise), and final left rotation again. The clue’s directional indicators perfectly mirror this standard unlocking procedure.
The safe dial presents numbers using Roman numeral markings rather than standard Arabic numerals. Locate the IV (4) and V (5) indicators positioned in the lower right quadrant, immediately preceding the VI (6) marker at the dial’s base position.
Execute the combination precisely: rotate left to IV, turn right directly to V, then immediately reverse direction left to IV again. Crucially, avoid completing full rotations between numbers – single positional moves suffice. Successful input triggers the safe mechanism to release, granting access to the vital manifest document inside.
Seasoned players recommend focusing on the dial’s tactile feedback – listen for subtle clicking sounds indicating proper number alignment. If the safe fails to open, verify you haven’t accidentally rotated past target numbers or misinterpreted the Roman numeral positions.
Avoid these frequent errors: attempting multiple rotations between numbers, misreading V as U (common confusion), or applying excessive force to the dial mechanism. Most failed attempts stem from overcomplicating the straightforward letter-count solution.
For optimal efficiency, position yourself directly facing the safe with adequate lighting. The entire puzzle typically resolves within 2-3 minutes once understood, though initial attempts may require 5-7 minutes for players unfamiliar with combination lock mechanics.
Understanding this puzzle’s design philosophy can enhance your approach to other challenges in similar adventure games. The developers intentionally created a logic-based test rather than relying on obscure lore knowledge.
This safe solution exemplifies how Alone in the Dark blends traditional puzzle elements with environmental storytelling. Mastering this mechanic provides valuable skills for navigating subsequent chapters and more complex challenges.
Action Checklist
- Locate and examine the clue note in warehouse office
- Count letters in bold words: What(4), Later(5), Hell(4)
- Find IV (4) and V (5) Roman numerals on safe dial
- Turn dial left to 4, right to 5, left to 4 without full rotations
- Collect manifest and continue Chapter 3 progression
No reproduction without permission：SeeYouSoon Game Club » Alone In The Dark – How To Open The Docks Safe In Chapter 3 Master the Alone in the Dark Chapter 3 safe puzzle with our step-by-step guide and expert tips