Hints for MH2:SF

Day 1

Q. I just crash-landed in San Francisco, and I think I squished someone on the way down!

A. Well, who is it? It's definitely a spot of bad luck for them...but it could be very good luck for you! Any idea why?

Q. How do I use the tracker?

A. Your official Manhunter's Field Guide states that "...the most efficient way to use the tracker is to watch it until it terminates transmission. Proceed to replay the transmission, closing MAD after the target leaves each location. Travel to the location shown and investigate."

Q. OK, what should I do first?

A. Why don't you go home and unwind for a bit? You've had a long flight. You do know where "home" is, don't you?

Q. Alright, I found it - what should I do here?

A. Look around, make yourself at home, have a peep out the window to see what kind of view you've got, rifle through things and pick up anything that's not nailed down. It's your pad now!

Q. I seem to have found myself investigating a break-in at the Bank of Canton. There are two dead bodies here, both with the same dragon tattoo on their left hands. What do those mean?

A. Believe it or not, they're not tattoos. As for their significance, stay tuned!

Q. Inside the bank, there is a door with the words "bat vomit" on it. What on earth is that supposed to mean?

A. In all seriousness, why would an establishment like a bank have something like that on one of their doors? But wait, you came in through the hole in the wall and not through the main doors, didn't you? Look where the name is positioned on the door and see if you can figure it out.

Q. The corpse on the street outside the bank has something embedded in its neck!

A. What is it? Does it make you at all nervous as to what sort of suspects you're tracking here?

Q. I tracked my suspects to a warehouse on the waterfront. Something seems to have happened just inside the entrance! What went on here?

A. Isn't there an old expression about there being no honour amongst thieves?

Q. I'm in the warehouse, but the robots keep killing me!

A. Open the tracker and watch the path your suspect took. If this sequence is too challenging, you can decrease its difficulty by hitting ESC and accessing the "special" menu.

Q. I've made it into the back room and found a mallet. What should I do with it?

A. Look very carefully at the head of the mallet. Strange, isn't it? What could it mean?

Q. I've found a message written in blood, but I'm not sure I understand it!

A. Your two suspects set out this morning to steal something and present it to their leader. Unbeknownst to one of them, however, the other is secretly serving a different leadership and has promised to bring this item back to them instead. Do you have any idea which of them came out on top after the fight?

Q. What did my first suspect do at the Ferry Building?

A. Look around the Ferry Building and the cause of all this commotion should be made clear. Your suspect returned here to report something - either success or failure. Do you know which it was?

Q. I've made my way to Embarcadero Fountain - what on earth is this creature?

A. You've stumbled onto a pretty twisted plot. You'll know soon enough what this thing is!

Q. So, what happened here?

A. Did you ever determine whether this suspect was successful in his mission or not? Let's just say that he was rewarded accordingly!

Q. I tracked my second suspect to the Hyde Street Pier. What should I do here?

A. Where did your suspect go? Better follow them. If misfortune should befall you, do not restore your game. Watch the Murrys' message and then press Enter. One of the peculiarities of the game is that you need to die in this particular spot in order for things to advance.

Q. I tracked all of my suspects today and visited all of the locations they did. Now I don't know what to do with myself!

A. Did you die at the Hyde Street Pier? If so, have you exhausted all of your other leads? Have you followed up on all of the information you've found today?

Q. OK, I found the one area I missed and went there to pay a visit. How do I deal with the vicious dog?

A. You don't! At least, not yet. You may want to hold off until you're better equipped to handle this situation.

Day 2

Q. What should I do with the dead rat-creature on the boat?

A. Examine the scene carefully. Are you able to tie this creature in with anything that went on yesterday?

Q. Is there anything else I should do here?

A. No, but before you begin tracking again, take a moment to stop and think. You should now be in a position to take care of some unfinished business from yesterday.

Q. OK, with my unfinished business now finished, I've discovered an unusual tapestry. What does it mean?

A. What could it mean? Think of it as a cause-and-effect statement. Take note of the words and the symbols. They will be important later.

Q. I've tracked my first suspect to the Temple. The stairs to the second level are lined with busts that all have different words beneath them. What do they mean? Is there anything to do here?

A. There are actually two things to do here. Look carefully through your inventory for clues.

Q. I've been given a rebus - what's the solution?

A. Examine the clues. The last item seems to be the most troublesome one. The ruler isn't as important as what's on the ruler.

Q. I went through with the branding, and ended up dying! What did I do wrong?

A. Even hear the expression something for nothing? Why not try that approach here?

Q. What's the significance of the scroll I've got?

A. Supposing west doesn't mean what you think it means, what could it mean?

Q. I'm back outside, but the ninjas came and killed me!

A. What, you're going to just hang out here after your escapades inside? Get a move on! And try heading in the right direction - if you get my drift!

Q. I've found an old man's house - what do I do here?

A. This part is tricky, but you need to connect a couple of the clues you've found today in order to know what to do. Here's a hint: the rebus from the Temple answers the what and the where, and the tapestry at Tad's answers the where and the why.

Q. I think I just had a mystical vision of some sort! What does it mean?

A. What happened in the vision? What was the old man's reaction? If you put the two together, do you have any idea what it might mean?

Q. I've just been hustled out of the old man's place. What now?

A. You could resume tracking suspects, but have you discovered any other leads to follow first?

Q. I've discovered a wax museum, but the door is locked and I don't know how to get in!

A. Look around and see if any ideas come to you. Have you carefully examined all of the items you've picked up?

Q. I'm inside, but what is there to do here?

A. You can watch an Orb propaganda film and look at the various exhibits. How did you find this place, again? Is there anything else you should be looking for here?

Q. I was tracking my second suspect of the day. My investigation has led me to a rather unusual shop! What did my target do here?

A. What was the proprietor holding when you walked in? Any idea why? Do you know where it came from? Look at the postings on the wall. Your suspect got something from here - you don't know what just yet, but you will soon!

Q. How can I get to play this man's game?

A. You can't...yet. You need to ante up first, and you haven't got anything with which to do so. Based on what you've seen so far, what do you think it will take?

Q. I watched my target leave The Shop and meet up with someone else. The two of them traveled to the Transamerica Pyramid. Who, or what, are all the "S" targets in the Pyramid?

A. Did you read your Manhunter's Field Guide? Targets denoted by an "S" are special humans - slaves of the Alliance. They cannot be tagged or tracked by Manhunters.

Q. I am trying to rescue the terrified slave in the Transamerica Pyramid, but the Shepherd robot keeps killing me!

A. Did you read the Murrys' message after you died? "This robot is quick - but there is a trick". The Shepherd robot is smart. In fact, it's often too smart for its own good. Can you find a way to outsmart it?

Q. I watched the tracker and saw two of my suspects kidnap an "S" target from the Transamerica Pyramid and take it to a doctor. I just arrived at the doctor's house, and things don't look so good here! What happened?

A. Make note of the various wounds on the two victims. Also notice the unconventional style of dress of the body on the table. Keep watching the tracker, making sure that you tag all possible suspects. You'll soon see what went on here.

Q. I looked all around the doctor's house. Then I searched the doctor himself and found a note. What does it mean?

A. Make sure you examine the note carefully for clues! Compare it against other inventory items you are carrying to see if anything catches your eye.

Q. Is there anything else I need to do here?

A. Yes! There is something else here, besides the letter, that you need to take with you. However, it's not as easy as simply moving the cursor around until you find something you can pick up. Can you figure it out?

Q. My suspects dropped the "S" target off at the doctor's and then split up. The one I'm currently tracking went into a laundromat in Chinatown. I can't get in, though. How come?

A. Didn't you read the sign? You can't get in because the laundromat is closed today. But isn't it strange that your target was allowed inside? Oh well, no laundry today; try again tomorrow!

Q. Since I can't get into the laundromat, what should I do now?

A. You've tracked this suspect as far as you can, so you could move on to the next one. First, though, it might be a good idea to follow up on a few clues that should have panned out into a solid lead for you.

Q. My investigation has lead me to the house of a genetic research scientist. What's there to do here?

A. Look out the window to see what landmarks are nearby. If you've been paying attention to the clues you've gathered so far, something outside should catch your eye. Search the house and read the files scattered on the floor. Try to tie things to the letter from Noah that you found in the doctor's pocket. You should start having an inkling by now of what the Orbs are up to in San Francisco...

Q. I read the files, but I'm not sure they make much sense!

A. Did you have a good look at the file folders before you looked at the files?

Q. I watched the cut-scene of Phil killing the Rat King and taking the Viewer. Then I traveled to the Cable Car Barn. I went inside, but the robots keep killing me and I don't know where to go!

A. Watch the tracker again carefully and observe where your suspect goes.

Q. I found a cable car full of bodies, and I think my suspect is one of them! The tracker showed him being killed by Phil, but before that happened he did something here. What was it?

A. Watch the tracker again. Your suspect is indeed languishing in the cable car. The clothes worn by the vast majority of the corpses should be a bit of a hint as to what the Cable Car Barn is being used for - where have you seen robes like that before? As for the tracking records, someone met your suspect here and gave him something. Do you know what?

Q. I tracked all my suspects on Day 2, and now I don't know what to do with myself!

A. Have you followed up on all your leads? You should have discovered two places to investigate that none of your targets visited.

Q. I went to the Private Club and ended up getting killed. Is there anything to do here?

A. Now right now there isn't! That place is crawling with rat-mutants. Better let it be for now.

Day 3

Q. I watched the tracker and then travelled to Ghirardelli Square. What happened here?

A. A few things! Your suspects came to Ghirardelli Square and one waited below while the other went up to break in. However, the suspect who went up got caught in the act, and the one who waited below got ambushed!

Q. I entered Ghirardelli Square and broke my flask while falling down the stairs!

A. That's not so good. You'll have to restore a game. Don't actually enter the building here until you've gotten rid of the flask somewhere else.

Q. I climbed all over the sign and finally reached my suspect. When I try to take the ring from his neck, though, I end up getting electrocuted myself!

A. That's right. Your suspect's body is in direct contact with a powerful electrical current. What could help here? You know, this might just be a good time to leave Ghirardelli Square and do some backtracking to the locations at which you weren't able to do anything yesterday. Old business before new, right?

Q. What do I do at the laundromat?

A. What do you normally do at a laundromat?

Q. Can I play the man's game at The Shop yet?

A. You can if you pay up! You have no money - what do you think he'll take as payment?

Q. I'm playing the game, but I keep losing track of the Ace!

A. Watch the cards very carefully. The proprietor is trying to fool you with a trick shuffle.

Q. I won! Which prize should I take?

A. You don't have to take either of the first two prizes you are offered. Wait until you see something that you know will be really useful.

Q. How can I get into the Private Club without being killed?

A. Ask yourself the following question: this is a private club for who?

Q. I got into the Private Club and played a pretty disgusting dice game! Then the rats killed me! How do I get out of this mess?

A. It doesn't look good, does it? You can use the camera flash to blind them, but don't. You'll need it later. You'll need to think creatively. What do these rats want more than anything else? Can you trick them in any way?

Q. OK, I survived that...now what?

A. Did you ever end up looking into what your suspects were doing this morning in the first place?

Q. I've found myself in front of a locked gate. How can I open it?

A. Look carefully at the lock. Have you seen this design anywhere else?

Q. I seem to have crashed Phil's party, and now he's thrown me to the rats! What do I do?

A. First of all, if you were quick, you should have managed to pick something up from the ground here. As for what you should do: think about it. These creatures spend most of their time underground, right?

Q. I've tracked two suspects to the Wax Museum, but I went inside and can't find them. Where are they?

A. Both of their signals stopped moving once they got to the museum, so they have to be in here somewhere! Search carefully to see if anything looks different from the last time you were here.

Q. OK, I found them - what is there to do with the dead one?

A. Who is it? Can you identify the body? Look carefully for details, and see if you can match them to anything you've seen anywhere else. What could it mean? And what should you do? And how should you do it?

Q. I've tracked all my suspects today...now what?

A. Now you need to decide how you're going to help rid San Francisco of the Orbs. Re-read Goring's letter to the doctor. Any ideas yet?

Q. I've gone to where I believe Goring's "creations" to be housed, but my current accomodations are less than satisfactory! How do I get out of here?

A. How did you get in?

Q. I've found Goring's creations. What now?

A. Now you need to free them. But first, have a look in all of the cages. Do you see anything that looks familiar? If so, why is it familiar?

Q. I activated the scanner, but it killed me! Why?

A. Re-read Goring's letter to the doctor. Did you find anything in your travels today that could help?

Q. I released the mutants, but they stomped me flat!

A. Everyone needs a friend sometime. Have you found one here?

Q. I was carried away by a mutant and placed in a hot-air balloon. How do I take off?

A. Study the mechanism above the basket. What does the name of your current form of transportation imply?

Q. I've flown back over to the mainland. Where can I land?

A. The real question is where you should land. You can actually land just about anywhere in the city - but you want to land somewhere very specific. Read Goring's letter to the doctor again, and then re-read the Dragon note you picked up at the Bank of Canton. Does that help?

Q. I fell down a tunnel and landed in Hell. In front of me is a large control panel. What do I have to do here?

A. This part is challenging, but fun. Look at the control panel and move your cursor around the screen to reveal various messages - are any of the notes you've picked up starting to make sense yet? Look at the sensor buttons on the left side. The "Lava" sensor is currently selected, and all of the rooms currently flooded with lava are shown in yellow. Now select the "Slaves" sensor - all of the rooms marked in blue contain a slave. Finally, select the "Robots" sensor - each of the red rooms contain a robot. You can move the slaves and robots around by selecting them with the cursor. Lava gates are shown in green - an "X" indicates that a gate is closed, while an "O" represents an open gate. You can open and close the gates to control the flow of the lava. Be careful, though: once you have flooded a room with lava, it cannot be un-flooded. You have six main objectives here:

Destroy the Orbs' five main San Francisco strongholds by flooding the surface with lava.
Destroy the underground robots with lava.
Don't accidentally charbroil any of the slaves.
Don't accidentally charbroil yourself.
Don't alert the surface robots by moving slaves to anywhere they shouldn't be.
Don't flood so many of the rooms and tunnels with lava that you no longer have a clear path for you and/or the slaves to escape.

Good luck!

Q. I flooded the surface with lava, destroyed the robots and watched a cut-scene showing the mutants returning to normal. Now I'm looking at the control panel once more. What next?

A. Do you remember what the slave's note says? Better hope you haven't flooded too many of the tunnels.

Q. The slaves have put me into some sort of tunnelling machine, but I don't know the code to make it go!

A. You've seen the code before. One of the slaves discovered it and had it marked somewhere on his body so he wouldn't forget it. However, he was killed before he could put his knowledge to any use. Ring any bells?

Q. I've got the tunneller going, but I don't know where to go!

A. Your goal is to get back above ground. Look for likely spots to burrow up. Good luck! And watch out for the pockets of lava!