Think Inside the Box

An escape room / assignment in Escape Academy 2: Back 2 School that tasks players with opening a multi-layer gold chest. Completing it unlocks the achievement of the same name, and it is story progression that cannot be missed.

Verification: Human verified

“Think Inside the Box” is an essential assignment and escape room in Escape Academy 2: Back 2 School that challenges players to solve a multi-layered gold chest puzzle. As a critical piece of story progression, completing this assignment is unmissable and automatically unlocks the achievement of the same name [src-96265dfaea]. Below is a complete walkthrough and guide to successfully navigating the puzzles and unlocking the final rewards.

Prerequisites

Before you can tackle this assignment, you must first place all eight exhibit items—including Sameer's Shovel, Sameer's Hat, Fernando's Checkbook, Reina's Pen, Fernando's Sword, Reina's Bell, Fernando's Ring, and Sameer's Mustache Wax—in their proper places [src-0dc02cf791]. Once all items are set, speak with Professor Jeberson to officially trigger the assignment [src-0dc02cf791].

Step-by-Step Walkthrough

1. The Gold Chest Combination: Approach the gold chest and examine the poster hanging above it, which reads “this lock is the key to opening the chest” [src-0dc02cf791]. The lock image is split into 12 squares that match the 12 squares on the chest [src-0dc02cf791]. Identify the four colored squares on the chest and match the corresponding four parts of the lock picture to input the correct combination [src-0dc02cf791].
2. Retrieving the Aztec Death Whistle: Entering the correct combination opens the next layer of the chest, allowing you to take the Aztec Death Whistle [src-0dc02cf791].
3. Unlocking the Aztec Statue: Use the Aztec Death Whistle on the Aztec-shaped statue to reveal its internal puzzles [src-0dc02cf791].
4. The Ball Puzzle: Interact with the side featuring the ball puzzle [src-0dc02cf791]. Your goal is to get four green balls in a row [src-0dc02cf791]. You can alternate directions, dropping green balls on one side and black balls on another, until you can pick up four green balls together and drop them all in a straight line [src-0dc02cf791]. Solving this opens a drawer containing the first Ancient Key [src-0dc02cf791].
5. The Pipe Puzzle: Move to the opposite side of the Aztec statue to find the pipe puzzle [src-0dc02cf791]. Rearrange the green pieces to complete the pipes, creating a complete loop three times to reach each end point [src-0dc02cf791]. Completing this yields the second Ancient Key [src-0dc02cf791].
6. Opening the Aztec Box: Walk back around to the other side of the box and place both Ancient Keys into the keyholes styled like eyes [src-0dc02cf791]. The top of the box will open, revealing a Jade Snake for you to collect [src-0dc02cf791].
7. Finalizing the Golden Box: Return to the golden box and place the Jade Snake into the bottom-right recess [src-0dc02cf791]. This reveals five symbols that correlate back to the key poster positioned above the box [src-0dc02cf791].

Rewards

Successfully finishing this escape room advances the main storyline of Escape Academy 2: Back 2 School and unlocks the "Think Inside the Box" achievement [src-96265dfaea].

Details

type

Assignment / escape room

associated_achievement

Think Inside the Box

achievement_requirement

Complete "Think Inside the Box". It is story progression and cannot be missed.

prerequisite

Place all eight exhibit items (Sameer's Shovel, Sameer's Hat, Fernando's Checkbook, Reina's Pen, Fernando's Sword, Reina's Bell, Fernando's Ring, Sameer's Mustache Wax), then talk to Professor Jeberson to trigger the assignment.

walkthrough

• Gold chest combination: the poster above reads "this lock is the key to opening the chest". The lock picture is divided into 12 squares matching the 12 squares on the chest; four are coloured, and those four coloured squares are the answer to the combination. Match the four parts of the lock picture to the coloured squares.
• Enter the correct combination to open the next layer of the chest, then take the Aztec Death Whistle.
• Use the Aztec Death Whistle on the Aztec-shaped statue to open it up.
• Ball puzzle (side of the Aztec statue): get four green balls in a row. It may take a few attempts; the guide found it easiest to keep changing direction, dropping green balls on one side and black balls on another, until four green balls could be picked up together and dropped in a line.
• Completing the ball puzzle opens a drawer; take the Ancient Key.
• Pipe puzzle (other side of the Aztec statue): rearrange the green pieces to complete the pipes, making a complete loop three times to reach each end point.
• Completing the pipe puzzle yields a second Ancient Key; go around to the other side of the box and place both Ancient Keys.

Sources

• Escape Academy 2: Back 2 School walkthrough - Full guide and puzzle ...
• Steam achievements page — Escape Academy 2
• Escape Academy 2: Back 2 School - Achievement & Trophy Guide