Surface: Reel Life Walkthrough

Welcome to the Surface: Reel Life Walkthrough

A famous actor has literally stepped off screen to kidnap your niece. Now you must find a way into the dangerous and exciting world of the film to save her!

Whether you use this document as a reference when things get difficult or as a road map to get you from beginning to end, we’re pretty sure you’ll find what you’re looking for here.

This document contains a complete Surface: Reel Life game walkthrough featuring annotated screenshots from actual gameplay!

We hope you find this information useful as you play your way through the game. Use the walkthrough menu below to quickly jump to whatever stage of the game you need help with.

Remember to visit the Big Fish Games Forums if you find you need more help. Have fun!

This walkthrough was created by David Becker, and is protected under US Copyright laws. Any unauthorized use, including re-publication in whole or in part, without permission, is strictly prohibited.

General Tips

• This is the official guide for Surface: Reel Life.
• This guide will not mention each time you have to zoom into a location; the screenshots will show each zoom scene.
• We will use the acronym HOP for Hidden-object puzzles. Interactive items will be color-coded and some will be numbered; please follow the numbers in sequence.
• Use the map to travel to a location.

Chapter 1: The Entrance

• Take the KEY (A).
• Use the KEY (B); turn it.
• Read the note (C); take the LIGHTER (D) and BATTERY (E).
• Examine the LIGHTER; activate it (F).

• Examine the poster (G).
• Use the LIGHTER (H).

• Play the HOP.
• You receive the LADDER (I).

• Place the LADDER (J).
• Take the WRENCH (K).
• Use the WRENCH (L); take the HORN (M).
• Use the HORN (N).
• Take the DIAMOND RING (O).

• Use the DIAMOND RING (P); push the button (purple).
• Move forward.
• Examine the door (Q).
• Take the LETTER OPENER (R).

• Move the poster; use the LETTER OPENER (S).
• Take the BRICK.
• Walk down.
• Use the BRICK (T); take the COIN (green).
• Move forward.

• Insert the COIN (U).
• Play the mini-game.
• Solution: (V).
• Push the button (blue).
• Take the DRAWER PULL (W).

• Place the DRAWER PULL (X); open the drawer.
• Take the GUITAR (Y) and ELECTRICAL TAPE (Z).
• Use the ELECTRICAL TAPE (A); turn the switch (B).
• Turn left.

• Take the FIRECRACKER (C); examine the note (D).
• Use the FIRECRACKER (E); take the FOIL PACK (F).
• Open the FOIL PACK; take the KNOB (G).
• Walk down.

• Take the POPCORN BOX (H).
• Turn left.
• Place the POPCORN BOX (I) and KNOB (J); turn the knob.
• Take the CUPBOARD KEY (K) and LOCK PART (L).
• Insert the CUPBOARD KEY (M); turn it.

• Play the HOP.
• Place the GUITAR (N).
• You receive the HOT SAUCE.
• Walk down.

Chapter 2: The Screen

• Use the HOT SAUCE (O).
• Move forward, turn left.
• Take the SCARF (P).
• Walk down twice.

• Collect the LIGHTBULB with the SCARF (Q).
• Place the LIGHTBULB (R).
• Take the GOLDEN TRUMPET (S) and BLUE TOKEN (T).
• Move forward.
• Take the RED TOKEN (U).
• Walk down twice.

• Place the BLUE TOKEN and RED TOKEN (V).
• Play the mini-game.
• Solution: W, X, Y, Z, X.
• Take the CADUCEUS (A) and LOCK PART (B).
• Move forward twice.

• Take the ZIPPER PULL (C) and GOLF CLUB (D).
• Use the GOLF CLUB (E); take the LOCK PART (F) and NEEDLE AND THREAD (G).
• Walk down.

• Take the BROKEN LOCK (H).
• Examine the BROKEN LOCK.
• Place the LOCK PARTS (1-3).
• Take the LOCK MECHANISM.
• Place the LOCK MECHANISM (I).
• Activate the lock.

• Play the mini-game.
• Solution: M, Jx3, L, K, N, Kx2.
• Take the CORKSCREW (O) and ICE PICK (P).
• Turn left.

• Use the ICE PICK (Q).
• Walk down, move forward.
• Open the box; use the NEEDLE AND THREAD (R).
• Open the box; take the BANANA (S).
• Walk down, turn left.

• Give the BANANA to the monkey (T); take the REFRIGERATOR HANDLE (U).
• Place the REFRIGERATOR HANDLE (V); pull it.
• Take the HOTDOG (W).
• Walk down, move forward.

• Place the CADUCEUS (X).
• Use the CORKSCREW (green); take the MORPHINE (Y).
• Examine the HOTDOG.
• Pour the MORPHINE over the HOTDOG (Z); take the DRUGGED HOTDOG.
• Turn left.
• Give the DRUGGED HOTDOG to the tiger (A).

• Talk to the woman (B).
• Take the SPEAR (C).
• Examine the SPEAR; remove the ribbon (D).
• Take the SPEAR BLADE (E) and ROPE (F).

• Move aside the curtain; take the PAINT THINNER (G).
• Use the SPEAR BLADE (H).

• Play the HOP.
• Place the ZIPPER PULL (I) and BATTERY (J).
• You receive the PENCIL.
• Walk down.

• Take the poster (purple); use the PENCIL (K).
• Pull the poster; take the PROJECTION-ROOM KEY (L).
• Insert the PROJECTION-ROOM KEY (M); open the door.
• Turn right.
• Take the ELEVATOR LEVER (N); examine the note (O).
• Walk down, turn left.

• Place the ELEVATOR LEVER (P); pull it.
• Go to the Snack Bar.
• Use the PAINT THINNER (Q); take the MOP (R).
• Go to the Projection Room.

• Examine the poster (S).
• Use the MOP (T); take the SILVER TRUMPET (U) and TORCH TIP (V).
• Place the GOLDEN TRUMPET (W) and SILVER TRUMPET (X).

• Play the mini-game.
• Solution: Y, Zx3.
• Take the MAGNET (A).

• Use the MAGNET (B); take the PIN (C).
• Walk down, turn left.
• Remove the trapdoor; take the TORCH VALVE (D).
• Use the PIN (E); take the SCREWDRIVER (F) and NIPPERS (G).
• Walk down.

• Use the NIPPERS (H); take the GAS (I).
• Examine the GAS; place the TORCH TIP (J) and TORCH VALVE (green).
• Turn the valve; take the BLOWTORCH.
• Turn left.
• Use the BLOWTORCH (K).
• Open the box; take the PROJECTOR BULB (purple) and DESK-SET KEY (blue).
• Walk down, turn right.

• Place the PROJECTOR BULB (L).
• Use the SCREWDRIVER (orange); take the TORN FILM (green).
• Walk down twice.
• Place the DESK-SET KEY (M); open the box. Take the GLUE (N).
• Move forward, turn right.

• Examine the TORN FILM.
• Use the GLUE (O); take the FILM.
• Place the FILM (P).
• Walk down, turn left, and move forward.

Chapter 3: The Jungle

• Open the bag; take DIAMOND EYE 1/2 (Q). Take the BOWL (R) and WING (S).
• Place the BOWL (T) to acquire the BOWL OF WATER.
• Use the BOWL OF WATER (U); take the STATUE (purple).
• Place the WING (V).

• Play the mini-game.
• Solution: (W).
• Take the SHIELD (X).

• Place the STATUE (Y).
• Play the mini-game.
• Solution: Zx2, Cx4, Zx2, Cx5, Z, Ax6, Zx2, Bx4, Zx2, Cx4, Zx2, Cx5, Ax2, Bx3, Ax2, Cx3, Ax2.
• Take DIAMOND EYE 2/2 (green).

• Place 2 DIAMOND EYES (D).
• Play the mini-game.
• Solution: H, K, O, F, I, L, M, P, F, H, J, K, N, G, E, F, J, H, M, N, O, G, L, K, H, G, F, L, J, K, G, K.
• Take the MACHETE (Q).

• Use the SHIELD and MACHETE (R); take the VIDEOTAPE (S).
• Take the CANE (T).
• Use the CANE (U); grab the vine (V).

• Remove the tarp (W).
• Take the IRON KEY (X).
• Place the IRON KEY (Y); take the GEAR (Z).

• Take the TUNING FORK (A).
• Use the TUNING FORK (B); take the SHIP (blue).

• Play the HOP.
• Place the GEAR (C) and SHIP (D).
• You receive the GOLDEN KEY.

• Place the GOLDEN KEY (E).
• Play the mini-game.
• Solution: Fx2, Gx2.
• Move forward.

• Take the LEATHER GLOVE (H), newspaper (I), and MOVIE AWARD (J).
• Throw the MOVIE AWARD (K).
• Collect the SHARD OF GLASS with the LEATHER GLOVE (L).

• Take the SPANNER (M); examine the note (N).
• Use the SPANNER (purple); take the FUSE (O).
• Replace the broken fuse (P) with the FUSE; place the VIDEOTAPE (Q).
• Take the LIGHTHOUSE FIGURE (R).
• Walk down.

• Use the SHARD OF GLASS (S).
• Place the LIGHTHOUSE FIGURE (T).

• Play the mini-game.
• Solution: (U).
• Take the FILE (V).
• Move forward.

• Use the FILE (W).
• Turn left.

Chapter 4: The Pier

• Take the SAW HANDLE (X); place the ROPE (Y).
• Walk down.
• Place the SAW HANDLE; take the SAW (Z).
• Turn left.

• Use the SAW (A).
• Take the HEX KEY (B).
• Walk down.
• Use the HEX KEY (C); take the BONE (D).
• Turn left.

• Take the PALETTE (E).
• Walk down twice.
• Place the PALETTE (F); push it.
• Take the BRUSH AND PAINT (G).
• Go to the Pier.

• Play the HOP.
• Place the BRUSH AND PAINT (H) and BONE (I).
• You receive the SWORDFISH.

• Use the SWORDFISH (J); take the SAILCLOTH (K).
• Place the SAILCLOTH (L).
• Take the BUCKET (M) and LETTER (N).

• Use the BUCKET (O).
• Move forward.
• Take the BOX (P); place the wedge (Q).
• Examine the note (R).
• Take the EMPTY OILCAN (S).
• Walk down twice.

• Place the EMPTY OILCAN (T) to acquire the OILCAN.
• Go to the Hold.
• Use the OILCAN (U); pull the handle (green).
• Take the BILL (V).
• Take the PUMP (W).

• Place the PUMP (X); take the WHEEL (Y) and REEL (purple).
• Walk down.
• Place the WHEEL (Z); take the VALVE (A).
• Walk down.

• Take the CHAIN (B).
• Examine the BOX; place the REEL (C).

• Play the mini-game.
• Solution: Ix2, D, Jx3, K, I, E, Ix2, K, Jx4, F, Ix2, K, J, H, J, K, Ix2, E, J, K.
• Take the BILL (L).
• Go to the Hold.

• Place 2 BILLS (M).
• Play the mini-game.
• Solution: Px2, O, P, O, Px2, O, Q, R, N, O, P, O, N, O, Q, S, Px2, O, Px2, O, P, O, P, O.
• Take the VALVE (T).

• Place 2 VALVES (U).
• Play the mini-game.
• Solution: (V).
• Move forward.

• Take the OVEN GLOVE (W), STICK (X), and TONGS (Y).
• Examine the medallion (Z) and portrait (A).

• Play the mini-game.
• Solution: (B).

• Take the MALLET (C).
• Walk down.
• Use the OVEN GLOVE (D); collect the ANCHOR with the TONGS (E).
• Move forward.

• Place the ANCHOR (F); take the LITTLE FISH (G).
• Walk down twice.
• Give the LITTLE FISH to the bird (H).
• Open the box; take the GAUZE (I).
• Walk down.

• Examine the STICK.
• Place the GAUZE (green); take the TORCH PIECE (J).
• Place the TORCH PIECE (K) to acquire the TORCH.
• Go to the Hold.
• Place the TORCH (L) to acquire the BURNING TORCH.

• Use the MALLET (M); take the DYNAMITE (N).
• Move forward.
• Place the DYNAMITE (O); use the BURNING TORCH (green).
• Move forward.

Chapter 5: The Deck

• Take the CHINESE STICKS (P).
• Collect the BUTTON (Q) with the CHINESE STICKS.
• Walk down.
• Place the BUTTON (R); push it.
• Open the blanket; take the VIOLIN (S).
• Move forward.

• Place the VIOLIN (T); take the SUCTION CUP ARROW (U).
• Walk down.
• Place the SUCTION CUP ARROW (V); take the EAGLE (W).
• Walk down three times.

• Place the EAGLE (X).
• Play the mini-game.
• Clue: (Y).
• Solution: (Z).
• Take the VACUUM (A).
• Walk down.

• Use the VACUUM (blue); take the SECATEURS (B).
• Go to the Deck.
• Use the SECATEURS (C).
• Move forward.

• Take the LEVER (D), CAPTAIN’S KEY (E), and CROSS KEY (green).
• Examine the note (F).
• Walk down.

• Insert the CAPTAIN’S KEY into the lock (G); turn it.
• Place the LEVER (H) and CHAIN (I); turn the lever.
• Take the LIFE BUOY (J) and FISHING ROD (purple).
• Walk down five times.

• Use the CROSS KEY (K); take the HIDDEN CHAMBER LOCK PIECE (L).
• Go to the Hold.
• Collect the CATCH (M) with the FISHING ROD.
• Examine the CATCH.

• Play the mini-game.
• Solution: 1-10.
• Take the ELEPHANT (N) and SPRING (O).
• Walk down three times.

• Place the ELEPHANT (P); take the PRISM (Q).
• Go to the Deck.
• Replace the broken spring with the SPRING (R).
• Take the GROOM HARE (S).

• Play the HOP.
• Place the PRISM (T) and GROOM HARE (U).
• You receive the SOAP.
• Move forward.

• Use the SOAP (V); take the SIGNET RING (blue).
• Place the SIGNET RING (W).
• Play the mini-game.
• Solution: X to 3, Y to 2, Z to 4, A to 3.
• Take the CAMERA (B) and TWEEZERS (C).
• Walk down five times.

• Collect the LENS (D) with the TWEEZERS.
• Examine the CAMERA.
• Replace the broken lens (E) with the LENS; open the CAMERA (F).
• Go to the Corridor.
• Place the HIDDEN CHAMBER LOCK PIECE (G).

• Play the mini-game.
• Solution: L, K, J, K, I, Hx2, Ix2, L, K, J, K, Jx3, I, Hx2, I, Hx2, Ix2, H, Ix3, Hx2, Ix3, H, Ix2, H, Ix2, Hx2, I, L, Jx2, Kx2, Jx2, Kx2, J, L.
• Take the VIDEOTAPE (M).
• Move forward twice.

• Examine the CAMERA; place the VIDEOTAPE (N).
• Take the CAMERA WITH PHOTO.
• Place the CAMERA WITH PHOTO (O).
• Remove the cane (P).

• Give the LIFE BUOY to the woman (Q).
• Talk to the woman (R); take the OWL MAIL (S).
• Examine the OWL MAIL.
• Open the note (T); take the WIND CHART (U) and OWL (green).
• Walk down.

Chapter 6: Back to City Center

• Place the WIND CHART (V); open the compartment.
• Take the CHEST KEY (W).
• Turn left.
• Use the CHEST KEY (X); take the DYNAMITE (Y) and GLOWING STICK (Z).

• Examine the DYNAMITE.
• Play the mini-game.
• Solution: 1-6.
• Take the CHARGED BOMB (A).
• Walk down.

• Place the CHARGED BOMB (B).
• Turn right.
• Take the BOTTLE OPENER (C); remove the broken lever (D).

• Take COLLECTIBLE CARD 1/3 (E) and the WEIGHT (F).
• Use the BOTTLE OPENER (purple); take the WATER BOTTLE (G).
• Use the WATER BOTTLE (H); take the CHESS PIECE (I).
• Place the CHESS PIECE (J).

• Play the mini-game.
• Solution: 1-K, 1-L, 1-M, 1-N, 2-K, 1-O, 2-P, 2-K.
• Take the LEVER (Q).

• Place the LEVER (R); pull it.
• Remove the letter (green).
• Move forward.
• Talk to the woman (S).

• Take the MANHOLE OPENER (T) and COLLECTIBLE CARD 2/3 (U).
• Walk down.

• Use the MANHOLE OPENER (V); throw the GLOWING STICK (W).
• Move forward.
• Use the OWL to collect the HOOK (X).
• Walk down.

• Place the HOOK (Y); turn the handle (Z).
• Take the HACKSAW (A).
• Move forward.
• Use the HACKSAW (B); answer the phone (C).
• Take the CLOSED BOX (green), MOON AMULET (purple), and COLLECTIBLE CARD 3/3 (blue).
• Open the book; take the ENGRAVING PIECE (D).
• Walk down.

• Place the MOON AMULET (E); take the LEVER (F).
• Walk down.
• Place the LEVER (G); turn it.
• Take the SPORTS SHOP KEY (H).
• Turn right.

• Insert the SPORTS SHOP KEY into the lock (I).
• Move forward.
• Take the TOY BAT (J).
• Walk down.

• Play the HOP.
• Place the TOY BAT (K) and 3 COLLECTIBLE CARDS (L).
• You receive the HANG-GLIDER.
• Move forward.

• Use the HANG-GLIDER (M).
• Take the FOUR-LEAF CLOVER (N) and BOX TILE (O).
• Examine the window (P); you receive the ENGRAVING PIECE.
• Open the sack (Q).
• Walk down.

• Place 2 ENGRAVING PIECES (R).
• Play the mini-game.
• Solution (S): Green-left, purple-up, 1, green-right x2, 3, purple-down, 2, 2, 3, 3, purple-down, 2, 2, 4, 3, 3, 2, 1.
• Take the SILVER GEAR (T).
• Turn left.

• Place the SILVER GEAR (U); take the PLIERS (V).
• Walk down.
• Use the PLIERS (W).
• Turn right.

• Take the FELT PEN (X), BLUE LETTER (Y), and FILTER (Z).
• Examine the wallet (A).
• Walk down, turn left.

• Use the FILTER (B) to acquire the RED LETTER.
• Go to the Car.
• Place the BLUE LETTER and RED LETTER (C).
• Play the mini-game.
• Solution: (D).

• Play the HOP.
• Use the FOUR-LEAF CLOVER (E) and FELT PEN (F).
• You receive the BUNCH OF KEYS.
• Walk down, turn left.

• Place the BUNCH OF KEYS (G).
• Play the mini-game.
• Solution: 1-4.
• Move forward.

Chapter 7: The Imprisonment Place

• Take the IRON (H) and RULER (I).
• Examine the note (J).
• Use the RULER (K); take the BOX TILE (L) and SNOWFLAKE AMULET (M).
• Examine the letter (N).

• Examine the CLOSED BOX.
• Place 2 BOX TILES (O).
• Play the mini-game.
• Solution: (P).
• Take the RUNE PIECE (Q) and GOLDEN GEAR (R).
• Walk down.

• Place the GOLDEN GEAR (S); take the HAMMER (T) and FORK (U).
• Walk down twice.
• Use the HAMMER (V); take the RUNE PIECE (purple).
• Go to the Car.

• Place the SNOWFLAKE AMULET (W); take the FROZEN BADGE (X).
• Use the FORK (blue).
• Go to the Imprisonment Place.
• Take the IRON BALL (Y); place the IRON (Z).
• Hold the FROZEN BADGE next to the iron (A) to receive the EAGLE BADGE.
• Go to the Car.

• Place the EAGLE BADGE (B); take the RUNE PIECE (C).
• Go to the Imprisonment Place.
• Place 3 RUNE PIECES (D).

• Play the mini-game.
• Solution: (E).
• You receive the NIPPERS.
• Walk down twice.

• Use the NIPPERS to collect the WIRE SPOOL (F).
• Turn right.
• Place the WIRE SPOOL (G).
• Play the mini-game.
• Solution: 1-3.
• Push the button (green).

• Take the BROKEN SAW (H) and SLINGSHOT FRAME (I).
• Remove the hat; take the BEARING (J).
• Examine the note (K).
• Take the ERASER (L).

• Examine the SLINGSHOT FRAME.
• Place the ERASER (M) and IRON BALL (blue); take the SLINGSHOT.
• Walk down, turn left.
• Use the SLINGSHOT (N); take the FIRE PANEL KEY (O).
• Walk down, turn right.

• Use the FIRE PANEL KEY (P); take the FIRE EXTINGUISHER (Q).
• Use the FIRE EXTINGUISHER (R); take the SAW BLADE (S).

• Examine the BROKEN SAW.
• Move the plunger (T); replace the broken blade with the SAW BLADE (U).
• Take the CIRCULAR SAW.
• Walk down, turn left.
• Use the CIRCULAR SAW (V); take the BOARD (W).
• Move forward.

• Place the BOARD (X); use the WEIGHT (purple).
• Open the chest; take the BOOKEND (Y).
• Place the BOOKEND (Z).
• Play the mini-game.
• Solution: (blue).
• Take the STAPLER (A) and STAR SCREWDRIVER (B).
• Walk down twice, turn right.

• Use the STAR SCREWDRIVER (C) to acquire the DUMMY HAND.
• Walk down, turn left.
• Use the DUMMY HAND (D); take the SHOVEL (E).
• Walk down, turn right.

• Use the SHOVEL (F); take the MUSIC AMULET (green).
• Place the MUSIC AMULET (G); take the RECORD (H).
• Place the BEARING (I); turn the switch (J).
• Open the fan; take the PROPELLER (K).
• Walk down, turn left.

• Play the HOP.
• Place the PROPELLER (L) and RECORD (M).
• You receive the ROCKER BLOTTER.
• Move forward.

• Use the ROCKER BLOTTER (N); enter the correct code ’9318′ (O).
• Take the KNIFE (P).
• Use the KNIFE; take the CLOTH PIECE (Q).
• Go to the Drive-in Theater.

• Place the CLOTH PIECE (R); use the STAPLER (green).
• You receive the SCHEME AMULET.
• Examine the SCHEME AMULET; open it.
• Take the EMERALD (S), RUBY (blue), and MALACHITE (T).
• Go to the Imprisonment Place.

• Place the EMERALD (U); take the RUNE AMULET (V).
• Walk down twice.
• Place the RUBY (W); take the RUNE AMULET (X).
• Turn left.

• Place the MALACHITE (Y); take the RUNE AMULET (Z).
• Inspect the SCHEME AMULET.
• Place 3 RUNE AMULETS (purple).
• Take the PROJECTOR PART (A).
• Walk down, turn right.

• Give the PROJECTOR PART to the man (B).
• Congratulations, you have completed Surface: Reel Life.