Unraveling the Mystery: The Hidden Depths of the Hex ARG

Unraveling the Mystery: The Hidden Depths of the Hex ARG

Table of Contents:

1. Introduction
2. The Hex: A Murder Mystery Game
3. The Complex Secrets of The Hex
4. The Strange Coin and the Secret Raft
5. Steambot Finn's Fishing Paradise
6. The Rusty Locket and Lazarus' Flashback
7. Seeking Wizarro: The Cipher Decoder
8. Decoding the Cryptic Message
9. Beneath the Surface: An Unexpected Connection
10. Lionel's Apology and Sado's Influence
11. Speculations and Unanswered Questions
12. Conclusion

The Hex: A Murder Mystery Game

The Hex is a murder mystery game created by Daniel Mullins, known for his other popular titles like Inscryption and Pony Island. Set in the Six Pint Inn, the game revolves around six video game protagonists who find themselves entangled in a complex web of secrets. While The Hex didn't gain as much Attention as Mullins' other games, it contains one particular secret that took the gaming community weeks to unravel. In this article, we will Delve into the intricate ARG (Alternate Reality Game) within The Hex and explore its various secrets and Hidden connections.

The Complex Secrets of The Hex

Before we dive into the details of The Hex ARG, it's important to note that this article contains major spoilers for The Hex, as well as Inscryption and Pony Island. Therefore, it is highly recommended to play these games beforehand to fully appreciate the Context and intricacies of the ARG. With that disclaimer in mind, let's begin our Journey into the mysteries of The Hex.

1. The Strange Coin and the Secret Raft

Halfway through the game's "Secrets of Legendaria" section, players will come across a Strange Coin in the desert. Although the coin's description doesn't provide any clear indication of its purpose, avid fans of Daniel Mullins' games may recognize it as the same coin used in Pony Island and the Ancient Obol in Inscryption. In both those games, the coins granted access to secret areas, and The Hex follows a similar pattern. By finding the Strange Coin, players can unlock a secret raft located below the central town, allowing them to access an island called Steambot Finn's Fishing Paradise.

2. Steambot Finn's Fishing Paradise

Upon arriving at Steambot Finn's Fishing Paradise, players will have the opportunity to Interact with Steambot Finn himself. While chatting with Finn can be informative, the true highlight of the visit lies in finding a fishing rod that allows players to catch various fish off the dock. These fish can be used to heal and buff stats during battles, but there are also stranger items to be caught, such as the elusive rusty locket.

3. The Rusty Locket and Lazarus' Flashback

The discovery of the rusty locket further deepens the mystery of The Hex. Although the locket doesn't appear in the player's inventory, it is Mentioned when it is fished up. The description states that the locket is half of a rusty old locket, leading players to wonder about its significance. To find the other half, players must embark on Lazarus' flashback journey.

During Lazarus' section of the game, specifically in Vicious Galaxy, players will encounter three docks. By fishing in the middle dock, they can eventually retrieve the Second half of the rusty locket. Once both halves are obtained, Lazarus can combine them and decipher the message engraved on the locket. However, since Lazarus is unable to Read the cryptic alphabet, players must Seek out other characters who possess the ability to decode the message.

4. Seeking Wizarro: The Cipher Decoder

The search for someone who can read the cryptic message on the locket leads players to Wizarro, a side character hidden in Lazarus' section. Wizarro can be found in a secret room accessible by clipping through a hidden wall at the bottom of the lava-filled map. By conversing with Wizarro and presenting him with the repaired locket, players can engage in a dialogue revealing the need for a cipher to decode the message.

5. Decoding the Cryptic Message

Wizarro informs players that a cipher is required to decipher the cryptic message on the locket. Unfortunately, he no longer possesses the necessary cipher but shares a clue that could lead players to locate it. The clue suggests that one of the words in the message translates to "promise" or "commitment." Determined to uncover the true meaning of the locket's message, players delve deeper into The Hex's world, searching for potential ciphers.

6. Beneath the Surface: An Unexpected Connection

While exploring the fishing game called Beneath the Surface, a free-to-play game available on Steam shortly after The Hex's release, players begin to discover connections to the ARG. As they progress through the game and fish up various items, including the Old Locket mentioned earlier, they encounter a description encoded similarly to Wizarro's dialogue. By copying the decrypted cipher from The Hex's ARG and inserting it into cipher.cipher file in Beneath the Surface's game files, players unlock a message instructing them to Type "lionel.exe."

7. Lionel's Apology and Sado's Influence

Typing "lionel.exe" in Beneath the Surface initiates an installation process that transports players to an early development version of the Stage area from Walk, another game by Daniel Mullins. In this scene, Lionel Snill, the creator of The Hex, records an apology regarding a forgotten game called Rootbeer Reggie and expresses remorse for trying to hide it. Lionel's apology provides valuable Insight into his character and highlights his regret for neglecting a significant part of his creative journey. However, the video abruptly ends and leads to the installation of sado.exe, an apparent malware created by Sado, escaping into the real world.

8. Speculations and Unanswered Questions

Throughout the exploration of The Hex's ARG, several connections and speculations arise. One of these connections involves the possible relationship between Lionel Snill's grandfather and the character Barry Reginald Wilkinson from Inscryption. While not explicitly stated, the shared name and references in both games suggest a familial connection.

Another unanswered question revolves around the origins of the zip file containing lionel.exe. It remains unclear whether Lionel himself sent the file to Carla, seeking revenge or closure, or if Sado used Lionel's possession to manipulate Carla into accepting the file. The true intentions behind the transmission remain speculative.

9. Conclusion

In conclusion, The Hex captivates players with its complex storyline and intricate ARG. Through various clues and puzzles, players uncover secrets, encounter hidden characters, and explore connections to other games by Daniel Mullins. The ARG within The Hex not only deepens the gaming experience but also expands the narrative and introduces players to a wider Universe of interconnected stories. The Hex stands as an example of Daniel Mullins' talent for creating engaging and mysterious games that leave players yearning for more.

FAQ:

Q: Is The Hex a standalone game, or does it have connections to other games? A: The Hex is a standalone game but contains references and connections to other games by Daniel Mullins, such as Pony Island and Inscryption. These connections enhance the overall gaming experience and contribute to an expanded universe of interconnected stories.

Q: How long does it take to unravel The Hex's ARG? A: The process of unraveling The Hex's ARG can take weeks or even longer, depending on the dedication and collaboration of the gaming community. Solving puzzles, deciphering ciphers, and unraveling secrets require careful observation, discussion, and experimentation.

Q: Are there any other games that Continue the storyline introduced in The Hex's ARG? A: While the storyline introduced in The Hex's ARG concludes within the game itself, Daniel Mullins has released subsequent games, such as Beneath the Surface and Sollipsis, which contain references and connections to The Hex. These games provide additional insights and expand upon the interconnected universe established in The Hex's ARG.