Onimusha: Way of the Sword - Underground Laboratory mask puzzle solution

Onimusha: Way of the Sword's Underground Laboratory mask puzzle is a bit of a head scratcher. It's one of the first times the game gives you a puzzle and expects you to figure out the answer based on the environment, and unless you're paying close attention, it's easy to overlook or overthink the clues. It's also the end of the road until you figure out the solution, as solving the mask puzzle is part of progressing through the Underground Laboratory.

Luckily, everything you need to figure out this puzzle is in the room with you. In this guide, we'll show you how to solve the Underground Laboratory mask puzzle in Onimusha: Way of the Sword.

Mask puzzle solution in Onimusha: Way of the Sword

When you enter the mask puzzle room, four masks on wooden panels drop from the ceiling. Shizuka mentions they look like archery targets, which is her way of saying "please shoot them with your Oni bow." You have to shoot them in a particular order that corresponds with the shadows that the masks cast on the wall and ground on the doorway behind you.

The number of eye, mouth, and whatever-else-that-is openings on each mask indicates the correct order. For example, the mask with just one opening is the first one you should shoot, the mask with two openings is the second one to shoot, and so on. If you don't feel like counting and just want to move on, we've included an image showing the correct order below.

As you can see, you should shoot in the following order:

1. Second from the right
2. Far right
3. Far left
4. Second from the left

Once you solve the puzzle, you can grab the mask key. Now it's time to head back to the room with the Spirit Mirror and use that key. The way back is largely clear of enemies, since you've killed them all, and Dokyo hasn't added new ones to dog your steps.

That's it for our guide on how to solve the mask puzzle in the Underground Laboratory in Onimusha: Way of the Sword. Just make sure to save at the Spirit Mirror and replenish your battle items before heading out again. Dokyo's not finished playing dirty tricks, and the rest of the laboratory isn't as peaceful as your trip back to the mirror room was. For more on Onimusha, check out our combat guides on how to parry and deflect, how to Issen, and our list of all bosses.