This is a guide for speedy playthrough ommitting all optional puzzles and sidequests. It includes only the obligatory movements that will advance the virtual game clock, and reach the ending as soon as possible. It will provide minimal "Detective Points" (DPs) score.
Each Act is non-linear and most of the movements can be done in any conventient order during a specific Act. However some linearity is required, as few points are triggered only after another movement was done previously. For example in Act I Gertie is first seen in the Parlor, and after that, she goes to her room; this means that you won't find Gertie in her room unless you trigger the previous points first. The guide provides a possible optimal order of movements for minimal wandering and repetition of routes.
Whoever, for trivia reasons, wishes to obtain the minimal possible score, should avoid wandering to certain points of the Acres so as not to discover the discarded bodies (and thus, gain Detective Points). Note that it is impossible to finish the game with 0 score, as some of these obligatory scenes also grant Detective Points.
Act I
- Leave your room to the left, traverse the corridor and enter Henri's room. You see him with Fifi (+15). This scene grants DPs.
- Go south to the rail (avoiding touching it) and go downstairs. Avoid walking under the chandelier and go to the Parlor to see Clarence and Gertie (+) and to the Billiard across the corridor to see Gloria and Rudy (+).
- Provided that you witnessed the previous 3 points, the time will be 7:45 now. Visit the Parlor more time just to see that Gertie is now absent. She will be in her room now. Go back upstairs and enter her room to see her sleeping. (+)
Act II
- Go to the Kitchen and see Lillian and Celie (+)
- Go to the Study and go outside to the left. You will see Clarence and Wilbur. (+) Follow them inside to the Dining room. Go back and forth several screens until they aren't there (going to the Billiard to see Gloria and coming back to the Dining room, will do it).
- Provided that Clarence and Wilbur left the Dining room, Clarence will eventually be in the Billiard room with Gloria (+) and Wilbur in the Study room reading. (+)