Resident Evil 7 has successfully reclaimed the essence of the original series, bringing back the qualities that made it great. Gone are the incomprehensible action sequels that distorted Capcom's franchise to the point of being unrecognizable. What’s current is now retro! The new offering from the Japanese company revives the survival horror genre in the best way possible. Horror, stealth, and puzzles are the hallmarks of the latest Biohazard installment. Today, we will unveil the solution to one of the most intriguing puzzles in the game: the Birthday Puzzle of Resident Evil 7.
The Resident Evil series has always presented an interesting approach to puzzles. However, in recent installments, action has taken center stage, overshadowing puzzle-solving. Nostalgic fans have long called for a return to the series’ roots, yearning for the genre that birthed it. It seems their pleas have finally been heard in the land of the rising sun.
Resident Evil 7 leaves behind its recent past to embrace the survival horror genre without reservations. There are multiple interesting puzzles to solve in this Japanese game, but here we will focus on just one: the Birthday Puzzle in Resident Evil 7. Fortunately, we have the solution to this perplexing challenge!
Before diving into the puzzle, it’s essential to know that you will need a VHS tape to tackle the Birthday Puzzle. This tape can be found in an attic accessed with the Snake Key. To obtain it, head to the autopsy room and investigate the corpse of the police officer lying on the table.
With the tape and the red and blue cards in your possession, it’s time to head to the stables. However, you must first enter Zoe's trailer and play the VHS tape of the Birthday Puzzle in Resident Evil 7.
Captive of the Maniac: Lucas Baker
In the tape, you take on the role of a character who has been kidnapped by Lucas Baker. The eldest Baker offspring wants to subject his captive to a sinister puzzle. The goal is to light a candle and place it on the cake sitting on the table. The first step is to grab the candle that the doll is holding. Then, go into the bathroom and pull the toilet flush. If you inspect the toilet water, you will find a telescope covered in filth. Equipped with this, head to the room with the cake. Upon entering, water sprinklers will activate, thoroughly cleaning your telescope. You've overcome the first hurdle of the Birthday Puzzle in Resident Evil 7!
Backtrack and look towards the room where the TVs are mounted on the wall. If you use the telescope now, you will discover three symbols on the screens. Return to the cake room and look to the right; you will see a padlock securing a box hanging on the wall. Input the symbols you saw on the TVs in the same order, and you’ll be one step closer to solving the Birthday Puzzle.
Next, grab the straw doll found in the box you just unlocked. In the same room, inspect the oil barrel and take the brass key. Head to the kitchen and ignite the stove. Now, set the straw doll on fire with the kitchen flame... and voilà! You have acquired the fake finger! Also, light the candle and rush to the door next to the TVs.
The Doll of Terror
To open this door, simply burn the rope with the candle. Inside the room, you'll find many balloons scattered across the floor. Move them aside or pop them with the candle until you find a smaller, brightly colored green balloon. Take it and return to the kitchen. There, use the air valve to inflate the balloon and obtain the feather that will stick into your abdomen. You are very close to solving the Birthday Puzzle of Resident Evil 7!
Now, go back to the doll that held the candle at the beginning of the puzzle and insert the fake finger into its hand. Next, place the feather in its hand and, using the brass key, wind it up. Brace yourself for a scare. The toy clown will grab your arm and write “LOSER” on it, tearing into your flesh. No one said solving the Birthday Puzzle in Resident Evil 7 would be a walk in the park!
Without further ado, return to the balloon room and open the door inside using the revealed word. There, you will find the water shut-off key for the pipe in the birthday cake room. Now, all that’s left is to solve the riddle. By closing the water flow through the pipe, the sprinklers will no longer spray water on you, thus not extinguishing the candle. So, head to the kitchen, light the fire, and ignite your candle. Then, return to the birthday cake room and place the candle on the cake. If you do this, you will have solved the Birthday Puzzle in Resident Evil 7.
We won’t spoil what happens next for obvious reasons. But once you solve it, you can continue your journey beyond the video tape. Your next destination is the stables!
By the way, upon completion, you will earn the Surprise trophy!
For more solutions to other puzzles in RE7, check out this guide. If you have any further questions, you can consult the Resident Evil 7 guide.
