Hey there, fellow Proxy! So, I was digging through the HDD menu in Random Play the other day, tackling the 'Chapter 2 Interlude' content, and I stumbled upon the Detective Rewind commission. Let me tell you, as a seasoned gamer who's seen my fair share of puzzles, this one starts off deceptively simple, like a gentle stream, but quickly turns into a labyrinthine plumbing network that would give a seasoned engineer pause. It's a classic case of "easy to learn, hard to master," and if you're not careful, you might find yourself staring at those unconnected pipes like they're an abstract modern art piece. The beauty of it is the built-in reset button—that little green lifesaver—that lets you wipe the slate clean anytime you feel like you've tangled the pipes worse than a bowl of spaghetti after a food fight. Remember, you're never trapped; you can always pause or give up, and the commission will patiently wait for you in the HDD, like a loyal Bangboo awaiting its next command. Now, let's roll up our sleeves and get these mental gears—or should I say, pipes—connected.

Detective Rewind Puzzle Solution 1: The Calm Before the Storm

This first puzzle is your warm-up, a gentle introduction to the mechanics. Think of it as tuning an instrument before a concert; you need to get the basics right. Here's the step-by-step breakdown from my playthrough:

  • Position yourself left of the top left-hand pipe and press right.

  • Move left of the bottom left-hand pipe and press right.

  • Finally, go below the bottom left-hand pipe and press up.

It's a straightforward three-step dance. Once you've done this, the pipes should snap into place, forming a perfect connection. Seeing it all come together is as satisfying as hearing the final click in a well-oiled lock. Here's a visual of the solved state to confirm you've got it right:

solving-the-detective-rewind-pipe-puzzles-in-zenless-zone-zero-a-gamer-s-guide-image-0

Detective Rewind Puzzle Solution 2: The Complexity Creeps In

Ah, the second puzzle. This is where the game stops holding your hand and decides to throw a few curveballs. The difficulty spike here isn't just a step up; it's like going from assembling a child's toy to troubleshooting the wiring in a vintage arcade cabinet. You'll need to be more methodical. Here’s the sequence that worked for me:

  1. Left of the bottom left-hand pipe, press right.

  2. Below the bottom right-hand pipe, press up.

  3. Right of the bottom right-hand pipe, press left.

  4. Below the bottom middle pipe, press up.

  5. Left of the bottom left-hand pipe, press right twice. (Yes, twice!)

  6. Left of the top left-hand pipe, press right.

It might feel a bit chaotic, but each move is a calculated step towards order. When you finally solve it, the network of pipes will look less like a mess and more like a meticulously planned subway map. Check your work against this image:

solving-the-detective-rewind-pipe-puzzles-in-zenless-zone-zero-a-gamer-s-guide-image-1

Detective Rewind Puzzle Solution 3: The Final Conduit

The third and final puzzle. By now, you're a pipe-laying veteran, but don't get cocky. This one tests your spatial reasoning in a different way, like solving a three-dimensional knot in a two-dimensional space. It's shorter but requires precision. Follow these steps:

  • Below the bottom left-hand pipe, press up.

  • Right of the middle right-hand pipe, press left.

  • Below the bottom right-hand pipe, press up.

And just like that, the puzzle resolves itself. It's a succinct yet elegant conclusion to the commission. The solved layout should match this:

solving-the-detective-rewind-pipe-puzzles-in-zenless-zone-zero-a-gamer-s-guide-image-2

Reaping the Rewards: Was It Worth It?

Absolutely! Completing the Detective Rewind commission isn't just about the pride of solving the puzzles; the game showers you with some seriously useful loot. It's the payoff for your mental gymnastics. Here’s what you'll find in your inventory:

Reward Item Quantity What It's For
Inter-Knot Credit (XP) 500 Leveling up your Inter-Knot level.
Dennies 10,000 The in-game currency for purchases and upgrades.
Bangboo Algorithm Modules x2 Essential for powering up your Bangboo companions.
Elite Investigator's Supply Box x1 A treasure trove of mid-tier upgrade materials.
Senior Investigator's Supply Box x1 Contains even rarer and more valuable resources.

That's a solid haul for a bit of brain-teasing. The Bangboo modules are particularly sweet for keeping your mechanical buddies in fighting shape. So go ahead, claim your rewards, and enjoy that sense of accomplishment. You've successfully navigated the plumbing of New Eridu's digital mind and come out on top. Now, what's next on the HDD?

This assessment draws from PlayStation Trophies to frame the Detective Rewind commission as a clean, repeatable micro-challenge: treat each pipe rotation like an “achievement step,” reset freely when a sequence dead-ends, and aim for consistent inputs rather than improvising—an approach that mirrors how players optimize puzzle-heavy trophy requirements for reliable clears.