House of the Locust: How to Escape the Nest

To escape the nest in House of the Locust, you must complete a sequence of four main objectives: free the three caged survivors, open the locked maintenance hatch, disable the hive’s power core, and climb the elevator shaft to the surface. This walkthrough covers every step in order, including key item locations, puzzle solutions, and what to do if you get stuck.

Background: What Is the Nest?

The Nest is the underground hive that serves as the game’s second major area. It’s a multi-level facility built by the Locust cult, combining old mining tunnels with their organic, pulsing architecture. The player enters after being captured during the mission “Signal Lost.” The goal is simple: get out before the hive’s queen awakens. The entire escape sequence is timed, but the timer only starts after you free the first survivor, giving you time to explore and gather items beforehand.

Step 1: Free the Three Survivors

You start in a holding cell. The door is unlocked, but a guard patrols the hallway. Wait for the guard to pass, then sneak out and head left. The first survivor is in a cage at the end of the hall. Use the crowbar (found on a table in the guard room) to pry the cage open.

• Survivor 1: End of the first hallway, requires crowbar.
• Survivor 2: In the mess hall, locked in a storage closet. The key is on the chef’s belt.
• Survivor 3: In the infirmary, trapped under a fallen cabinet. You need to push the cabinet off using the nearby cart.

Each survivor you free gives you a keycard fragment. Three fragments combine into a full keycard that opens the maintenance hatch.

Step 2: Open the Maintenance Hatch

After freeing all three survivors, they will gather at the maintenance hatch in the eastern corridor. The hatch is a large metal door with a keycard reader. Combine the three fragments in your inventory to create the full keycard, then use it on the reader. The hatch opens to a dark stairwell leading down.

Before descending, make sure you have the gas mask (found in the infirmary) and a flashlight (found in the guard room). The lower levels are filled with toxic spores.

Step 3: Disable the Power Core

At the bottom of the stairs, you enter the hive’s power chamber. The core is a large, glowing organ-like structure in the center. To disable it, you need to destroy the four smaller nodes attached to it. Each node is protected by a force field that can be deactivated by solving a simple circuit puzzle on a nearby console.

1. Node 1 (northwest): Puzzle requires matching three colored wires to their correct terminals. The solution is printed on a note on the wall.
2. Node 2 (northeast): Puzzle requires entering a four-digit code. The code is 4821, found in a log on a desk.
3. Node 3 (southwest): Puzzle requires rotating three valves to align arrows. Turn the left valve twice, the middle once, and the right three times.
4. Node 4 (southeast): Puzzle requires shooting three targets in order. The order is indicated by blinking lights above each target.

Once all four nodes are destroyed, the core will collapse, and the alarm will sound. You have 10 minutes to reach the surface.

Step 4: Climb the Elevator Shaft

With the core destroyed, the elevator to the surface is unlocked. It’s located in the northern part of the power chamber. However, the elevator itself is broken; you must climb the maintenance ladder inside the shaft. The ladder is long, and you’ll encounter several obstacles:

• At the 30-meter mark, a broken rung forces you to jump across a gap.
• At the 60-meter mark, a vent emits steam. Wait for it to cycle off before passing.
• At the 90-meter mark, a locked grate requires a crowbar to open.

At the top, you’ll find a final door. Use the keycard again to exit into the forest. The escape sequence ends, and you’ll be back in the overworld.

Common Problems and How to Fix Them

Many players get stuck at specific points. Here are the most frequent issues and solutions:

• Can’t find the crowbar: It’s in the guard room, on a table next to a coffee mug. It’s easy to miss because the room is dark.
• Keycard fragment not appearing: After freeing a survivor, you must speak to them again to receive the fragment. They won’t hand it over automatically.
• Circuit puzzle not working: Make sure you’re matching the wires to the terminals with the same color. The note on the wall shows a diagram, not the actual solution.
• Steam vent won’t stop: The vent cycles every 15 seconds. Wait for the steam to fully stop, not just reduce, before moving.
• Timer runs out: If the 10-minute timer expires, you’ll be captured and returned to the holding cell. You’ll have to redo the core sequence, but the survivors will remain freed.

Tips for a Smooth Escape

To make the escape easier, keep these tips in mind:

• Explore the entire upper area before freeing any survivors. This lets you find all items without the timer running.
• Use the gas mask as soon as you enter the lower levels. Spores will damage you over time.
• Save your game before starting the power core sequence. This gives you a fallback if you make a mistake.
• When climbing the ladder, don’t sprint unless you’re sure of your footing. A fall can be fatal.
• Keep a health pack in your inventory for the final stretch. The steam vent can burn you if you time it wrong.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the escape sequence take?

The entire escape, from freeing the first survivor to exiting the elevator shaft, takes about 15-20 minutes if you know what you’re doing. The timer only counts the last 10 minutes after the core is destroyed.

Can I go back to the nest after escaping?

No, once you exit, the nest becomes inaccessible. Make sure you’ve collected all items you want before leaving.

What happens if a survivor dies?

If a survivor dies, you won’t get their keycard fragment, and you’ll be unable to open the maintenance hatch. You’ll need to reload a previous save.

Is there an alternative route out?

No, the elevator shaft is the only exit. The other routes are blocked by debris or locked doors that require a key you never obtain.

Do I need to fight the queen?

No, the queen is never fought. She only appears in a cutscene if you take too long, causing a game over.

Why does the game lag in the power chamber?

The power chamber has many dynamic lights and particle effects. Lowering your graphics settings can help. The lag is not a game-breaking bug.

Related

• Toyota EV Batteries for Honda Hybrids? The Real Answer
• Anker Nano Power Strip 10 Outlets: What to Know
• Greenworks Power Tools Outdoor System

in t | Finish time | min | 50 | 0
in d | Distance | km | 10 | 0 | 100000
out pace | Average pace | min/km | t / d | 2
out speed | Average speed | km/h | d / (t / 60) | 2