Subliminal doesn’t really hold your hand, and that’s what makes it so easy to get stuck even in the early sections. Some puzzles look simple until the game suddenly changes the rules on you, and if you’re not paying attention, you’ll end up going in circles.
This is a full walkthrough of Episode 1, covering every level and puzzle from the level select menu. I’m just going step-by-step the same way I played it, so you can follow along and keep progressing without overthinking things.
Subliminal Episode 1 Walkthrough – Levels, Puzzles, Endings
Basement
You start off in a fairly controlled setup, but it ramps up quickly.
- Go into the room on your right and plug in the TV (plug is on the floor).
- Watch the TV and listen for the time — the woman says 5:35.
- Set the wall clock to 5:35.
Now the loop begins:
- Whenever you hear knocking, go to that door.
- Press E to open, flash your light with LMB, then press E again to stop — the door should close.
Phase 2
When the narrator says “Your focus is ever so slightly slipping”:
- Keep handling the doors like before.
- Now also turn lights back on whenever they go out in either room.
Keep managing both until it ends.
- Go through the door near the stairs.
WaterWorks – Part 1
This section is more straightforward movement and interaction.
- Pick up the Memory Meter with E, then store it.
- Move forward and go up the stairs.
- Stand on the scale for about 3 seconds to unlock the gate.
- Press the button to open the next gate.
- Go into the water slide.
You’ll see black tar:
- Use the water cannons (E to interact, LMB to shoot) to clean it.
The slide collapsing is normal.
- Turn around and go up the now-open stairs.
- Use the scale again.
- Once barriers are gone, enter the slide again.
WaterWorks – Part 2
- Go up and try the door — it won’t open.
- Head back down and check the whiteboard.
- Combine it with the wall numbers to get 2112.
- Enter 2112 to unlock the door.
- Pick up the light inside.
Now you get two paths.
Path 1 – Comply
- Place the light above the maintenance hall door.
- Take the green light on your left.
- Use RMB to drag the barrier over the right detector.
- Place the light behind you to open the exit.
- Go through the exit.
- First door on the right leads into a loop.
- Pull the fire alarm to break it.
Then follow:
- Forward → Right → Left
- Try the WaterWorks door (fails).
- Walk back — break room is on the right.
Path 2 – Ignore
- Place the light above the Deep Storage doors.
- Take it back so the doors close.
- Place it on the blue sensor and run through.
- Flip the switch to keep the gate open.
- Power the nearest sensor.
- Take the light from the previous gate.
- Return and power the earlier blue sensor.
Then:
- Run to the gate.
- Find the elevator shaft.
- Go down floors until the button turns red.
- Walk toward the TV and hold your gaze.
WaterWorks – Entrance Puzzle
- Walk toward the entrance — you’ll get pulled back.
- Turn right and go through the gap.
- Crouch under the gate.
Inside:
- Grab the green light.
- Take it outside and look up.
- Transfer energy to the red light.
- Use RMB to drag the red light along rails.
- Move it to the end to power a gate.
- Enter and turn on the switch to keep it open.
- Bring the red light to the middle of the room.
- Go back, grab the green light.
- Use it on a blue light to open another gate.
- Grab the green light again.
- Use it on another blue light in the same room.
- Both power lines activate — go to the WaterWorks gate.
Childhood Memories
This section relies on observation.
- Watch the slide colors as you move.
- Enter them in the same order at the panel (random every run).
Continue forward:
- There’s a hidden light to the left of the stairs — grab it.
- Place it into the sensor to open doors.
Then:
- Go down the yellow slide.
- Chase sequence starts — keep moving.
- Go down the red slide.
New area:
- Go up the yellow slide.
- Follow the path and flip the switch.
- Return the same way.
- Climb the net and cross over the wired hole.
- Someone helps you flip a switch.
- Go back down and open the door.
Now:
- Note each door number and color.
- Pick up the light above for a flashlight.
Important:
- Stay crouched whenever told.
Final step:
- Use the four colors to input the correct number on the padlock.
- Colors correspond to their doors.
Erase Ending
After entering the WaterWorks gate:
- Go right and activate the erase switch.
Then:
- Go back down the hallway.
- Reach the staircase room.
Instead of using stairs:
- Build momentum and jump across.
You’ll reach a new area:
- Walk forward into a room full of TVs.
Now:
- There are doors on left and right with erase switches.
First one:
- Activate it normally.
Second one:
- Hold E until the progress bar fills, then activate.
Finally:
- Return to the main room.
- Activate the last erase switch.
Everything gets erased — including you.