Detective Barbie Vacation Mystery

This is not strictly a walkthru, as the objects are somewhat randomized. Instead, it is more of a general hint and strategy guide.

General Gameplay Strategies

The game essentially begins in the library. The first clue points toward the bookcase, after that, the clues are randomized. As in Barbie Detective 1, each new clue will be marked "hot" and will lead directly to the location of the next clues. Sometimes, more than one clue will be found in a location, so be sure to look around everywhere, even outside the specific area. Always remember, the game is linear, so there is no scouting around. If you go to a spot the clues seem to point toward, and your clues turn cold, just keep looking around that area, because you've missed something. Be sure to look for handprints, also, as they can be clues too, and many times require a tool to utilize.

Sometimes the clues will lead you to the suspect, which will be a dark shadow that Barbie will remark on. Each time you see the suspect, you need to follow the footprints (which will show up with the magnifying glass, remember to always scan each location with it for clues AND footprints). The chase will lead you to one of the arcade style rides, this is where the fun begins :D If you're arcade-challenged, don't give up if you lose the suspect! He will leave and go to a different ride, maybe one that is a little easier for you. Just keep trying, you will eventually catch up to him. When you do, a clue will be dropped.

Note: If you see a handprint with your magnifying glass, it either means there is a secret path there, or it needs a tool to open it. These can be a little confusing, especially the front desk one, which requires that Barbie walk toward it before it can be solved, which is not obvious at all. Another confusing one is the game room, located off the banquet hall. If you never enter that door, you'll never know it's there! If you have a hot clue that points toward the banquet hall, be sure to look into this room, as well. Sometimes a tool will be found in there, a cogwheel. Place the cogwheel on the arcade game, and walk Barbie toward it to play with the little boy there. If she wins, a secret path will open up, and she will go to the next clue location.

Basic Paths

After the game begins in the library, and Barbie finds her first clues, the game pretty much follows this general path: Find the missing puzzle pieces of the painting in the library by following the clues and chasing the suspect. When the final puzzle piece is found, Barbie will be automatically whisked off to the library for a consultation with the Professor. After the dialogue, click on the last puzzle piece, which is still logged in Becky's computer, and listen to the clue. Also, note the pictograph on the painting, which shows up after the last puzzle piece is found, this will also point you toward the next clue location. The next location will be either the lighthouse, the banquet room, or the gazebo. The lighthouse has a globe puzzle, use the black key to open the box on the table to solve. The banquet room has a piano puzzle, use the golden key to open the keyboard. The gazebo simply requires that a missing flower piece be added to the light fixture.

Regardless of which location you end up in at the end of the game, when the puzzle has been finished, Barbie will exclaim, on these general lines, "Oh no! Someone's been here before us, and taken the clue! We need to to get a look at the hotel grounds and cove. Let's head somewhere with a great view of the grounds." This means that Barbie needs to head toward either the lighthouse, or the top room above the library, to get a good look around. Every time we've played, the lighthouse seems to be the one where the suspect is seen, but it could be that the room above the library is a possibility, too. A small bug in the game seems to be present here, as sometimes Barbie won't "see" the suspect right away from the lighthouse, but has to leave and come back a few times. Don't worry, just keep looking; he will eventually show up.

Each time he's heading toward the hotel room, which means Barbie needs to head there, also. A few last clues will be laying around, these will point you toward toward the suspect in a final chase scene. This time, if you keep up with the suspect in the ride, you will discover "whodunnit!"

Good luck!

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