In Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, you’ll encounter numerous side areas. Some will feature boss battles, while others present unique challenges like puzzles. As you progress, you’ll discover that many aspects of the game are more intricate than they first appear.
One notable instance is the Esoteric Ruins. This peculiar place contains an unusual puzzle that has left many players bewildered. Since the objective isn’t clearly defined, this guide will provide a step-by-step walkthrough.
Locating the Esoteric Ruins
Finding this area is straightforward. After reaching Monoco Station, follow the story marker to Old Lumiere.
Before entering Old Lumiere, head to the left side of the city to discover the Esoteric Ruins.
You need to progress past Monoco Station to access this side of the continent.
When you arrive at the ruins, follow the path until you reach a large opening. Jump down from the ledge and interact with a glowing orb in the center of the room.
After speaking with the NPC, climb the wall behind the glowing orb. This will lead you to the start of the puzzle. Once you reach the top, turn right and follow the downward path.
Solving the Esoteric Ruins Puzzle
This challenge resembles a maze where you must shoot orbs to open doors. However, you won’t know which orbs to shoot aside from the starting one.
Every time you shoot an orb, a door opens, which may not lead you in the right direction. This can make the puzzle take longer, so be sure to follow the steps outlined below.
Steps to Navigate the Maze
To begin the maze, shoot the first orb. This action will open both left and right doors at the maze entrance. While in the room with the first orb, look to your right and shoot the orb in that room.
Next, move to the left side, right next to the location of the first orb you shot. In this left room, shoot the orb. It should open the door to the room in front of where you are currently standing.
In this new room, shoot the orb twice. This will open the right and far right doors. Then, head to the far right room.
Upon entering this new room, shoot the orb, which will open the door leading backwards. This door takes you back to the second orb you shot at the beginning of the maze. In the same far right room, shoot that second orb and then enter the room it leads to.
From here, hit the starting orb again and go back to the far right room from where you initially came.
Now, you’ll be able to shoot at the orb located in the middle section adjacent to your current room. After this, the north door in your room will be open.
This door contains an orb, but do not shoot it. The left-hand door and the exit will be open. Just walk out to complete the puzzle.
Once outside, you’ll find Wood Boards directly in front of the exit. After that, turn around to find grapple points that will take you back to the glowing orb NPC.
Give the NPC the Wood Boards, and you’ll receive the Protecting Heal Picto as your main reward.
After you hand over the boards, the glowing orb transforms into a larger Nevron. When you interact with it in its new form, you can choose to fight the Nevron if you wish. This will be a standard Nevron battle, and you can opt out without any consequences.
