Subliminal Episode 1 Walkthrough & All Levels/Puzzles

This is my full Subliminal Episode 1 Walkthrough & All Levels/Puzzles guide covering every level you can access from the level select menu. I’ve spent quite a bit of time with the game, so I’m putting everything here in a simple, step-by-step way to help you move forward without getting stuck.

Just a quick note before you jump in:

  • This guide focuses purely on getting through each level.
  • It’s not tied to any specific ending.
  • Some choices can affect your ending, but I won’t go deep into that here.

Let’s get into it.

Subliminal Episode 1 Walkthrough & All Levels/Puzzles

Basement

You’ll start off in a pretty simple setup, but it quickly turns into a multitasking situation.

  • Head into the room on your right and plug in the TV (the plug is on the floor).
  • Sit and watch the TV — listen carefully for the woman saying “5:35”.
  • Go to the clock on the wall and set the time to 5:35.

Now things start happening:

  • Whenever you hear a knock, go to that door.
  • Press E to open, flash your light with LMB, then press E again to stop interacting — the door should shut.

Phase 2

When you hear the line: “Your focus is ever so slightly slipping”, things get more intense.

  • You still need to manage the doors.
  • But now, you also need to turn lights back on whenever they go out in either room.

Keep juggling both tasks until it finally ends.

Once everything settles:

  • Go through the door near the stairs.

Basement complete. From here, you’ll choose a path — and yes, that choice may matter later.

WaterWorks – Part 1

This section is more movement-based.

  • Pick up the Memory Meter using E, then press E again to store it.
  • Continue forward and head up the stairs.
  • Stand on the scale for about 3 seconds — this unlocks the gate.
  • Press the button to open the second gate.
  • Walk straight into the water slide.

Now you’ll notice black tar everywhere:

  • Use the water cannons (press E to interact, LMB to shoot) and clean it up.

Don’t worry when the slide collapses — that’s supposed to happen.

  • Turn around and go up the stairs that are now open.
  • Use the scale again.
  • Once barriers are gone, go into the water slide again.

WaterWorks Part 1 done.

WaterWorks – Part 2

  • When the barriers disappear, head up and try opening the door — it won’t work.
  • Go back down and look at the whiteboard.
  • You’ll also see numbers painted on the walls nearby.

Put that together and you get the code: 2112.

  • Enter 2112 to unlock the door.
  • Inside, pick up the light using LMB.

Now the level splits into two paths.

Path 1 – Comply (Follow the narrator)

  • Place the light into the sensor above the maintenance hall door.
  • Take the light from the green sensor on your left.
  • Use RMB to drag the barrier and block the right light detector.
  • Place the light into the sensor bar behind you — this opens the exit.

Go through the exit door.

  • Open the first door on your right — you’ll end up in a loop.
  • Pull the fire alarm to break the loop.

Then follow this path:

  • Forward → Right → Left
  • Try opening the WaterWorks door (it fails).
  • Walk back — the break room will be on your right.

Path 2 – Ignore (Go against the narrator)

  • Place the light on the sensor above the Deep Storage doors.
  • Take it back so the doors close behind you.
  • Place it on the blue sensor around the corner and run through.
  • Flip the switch on the right to keep the gate open.
  • Power the nearest sensor.
  • Take the light from the previous gate.
  • Go back and power the earlier blue sensor.

Now move fast:

  • Run to the gate.
  • Find the elevator shaft.
  • Go down floors until the button turns red.
  • Walk toward the TV and keep looking at it.

WaterWorks Part 2 complete.

Childhood Memories

This one is more about observation and memory.

  • As you walk, pay attention to the colors of the slides.
  • Enter those colors into the panel in the same order you saw them.
    • This changes every run, so you’ll have to remember it yourself.

Continue forward until you reach the next sections.

  • There’s a hidden light to the left of the stairs — grab it.
  • Place it into the empty sensor to open doors.

Then:

  • Go down the yellow slide.
  • A chase starts — keep moving.
  • Continue down the red slide.
  • You’ll reach a new area.

From here:

  • Go up the yellow slide.
  • Follow the path and flip the switch.
  • Go back the same way you came.
  • Climb the net and go over the hole with the wire.

You’ll get a bit of help here:

  • Someone assists you with flipping a switch.

Then:

  • Go back down.
  • Open the door.

Now things get a bit more involved:

  • Open notepad (mentally or actually).
  • Note every door number and its color.
  • Pick up the light above the sensor bar — this acts as your flashlight.

Important part:

  • Stay crouched whenever the game tells you to.

Finally:

  • Enter the correct number into the padlock using the four colors below it.
  • Each color matches a door — that’s your key.

That’s everything covered so far.