Onimusha: Way of the SwordUnderground Laboratory mask puzzle solution

01Mask puzzle quick solution

Enter the puzzle room and face the four masks hanging above the locked cage. Count their positions from left to right, then use the Oni Bow to shoot mask three, mask four, mask one, and mask two. Correctly completing the sequence opens the cage.

Collect the Unsettling Mask inside. This is a story-progression key rather than an optional cosmetic mask. Return toward the room with the Spirit Mirror and use the item where the mission requires it.

02How the shadow clue works

Four corresponding masks hang against illuminated shoji screens elsewhere in the room. Light passing through their open eyes, mouth, and facial gaps creates distinct patterns on the windows and floor. Those patterns identify the matching cage-side masks and establish the order.

The rightmost shadow has open eyes and maps to the second target in the answer, while the next shadow's mouth clue maps to the first. On the left, one shadow shows eyes and a frown and the other shows all four openings, completing the third and fourth positions. The practical result remains 3, 4, 1, 2 when counting targets from the left.

03Aiming and correcting mistakes

Shizuka remarks that the masks resemble archery targets, which is the intended prompt to equip the bow. Stand where all four cage-side masks are clearly visible and count them before firing. Do not alternate between the clue wall and targets mid-sequence if that makes you lose track.

The supplied sources do not describe a permanent penalty for an incorrect shot. Recheck which wall you are facing and restart the intended order carefully. The most common error is counting from the right even though published solutions number the targets from left to right.

04What to do after opening the cage

Take the Unsettling Mask and backtrack toward the Spirit Mirror room. The route is largely clear because enemies on the way in have already been defeated. Save at the Spirit Mirror and replenish battle items before continuing deeper into Dokyo's laboratory.

The laboratory is not finished after this puzzle. Later traps and fights still require preparation, including a descending-blade room where shooting four thread spools stops the fan mechanism. Exploring beyond that trap also leads to the Earth Shakers Oni Armament.

05Why the puzzle blocks progression

The mask is required for the story path, so the locked cage cannot simply be ignored. The entire clue is contained in the same room, with no collectible note or code needed from another mission. This makes the puzzle a test of environmental observation and bow use rather than inventory completion.

If the objective still says Solve the Mask Puzzle, confirm that you shot the four masks above the cage rather than the illuminated clue masks. Then collect the item after the cage opens. Merely entering the correct sequence without picking up the Unsettling Mask does not finish the progression step.

Frequently asked questions

Sources

We filtered navigation, ads, unrelated recommendations, and unsupported community claims from the supplied research. The factual basis for this page comes from:

• Rock Paper Shotgun puzzle solution
• VGC puzzle solution