How to Unlock Every Khmer Cogwheel Puzzle in Indiana Jones and the Great Circle

In Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, the vibrant Sukhothai region is a treasure trove of ancient relics, forgotten architecture, and the enigmatic Khmer Cogwheel Puzzles. These mechanical challenges are both a test of wit and a rewarding endeavour, yielding Sukhothai Relics critical for unlocking the game’s secret ending. Here’s everything you need to know to solve these intricate puzzles and become a true adventurer.

What Are Khmer Cogwheel Puzzles?

Khmer Cogwheel Puzzles are mechanical enigmas scattered across Sukhothai. They revolve around arranging gears to activate machinery that reveals relics or hidden paths.

Core Mechanics:

• Large Cogwheels: Fixed in place and only usable within their respective chambers.
• Small Cogwheels: Portable gears you’ll need across multiple puzzles. A total of 10 small cogwheels can be collected.
• Objective: Align all gears in each chamber to achieve seamless rotation when the lever is pulled.

Failing to retrieve small cogwheels after solving a puzzle can leave you stuck in later challenges, so keep your inventory in check.

Preparation Tips:

• Purchase the Sukhothai Cogwheels booklet from Tongdang for 700 baht.
• Take photos of nearby pillars to earn Adventure Points.
• Study diagrams carefully before placing gears, and save your progress near puzzle areas to avoid setbacks.

Why Solve These Puzzles?

Completing all seven Khmer Cogwheel Puzzles grants you six additional Sukhothai Relics, a prerequisite for unlocking the game’s secret ending. Beyond the tangible rewards, these puzzles deepen your engagement with the game’s lore, showcasing the ingenuity of the Khmer Empire’s ancient engineering.

Khmer Cogwheel Puzzle Locations and Solutions

Puzzle #1: The Blessed Pearl (Right Mechanism)

• Location: Northwestern Sukhothai, accessible after passing the Yaek statue underwater.
• Setup: Use three small cogwheels, with the third found on a ledge in the adjacent chamber.
• Solution: Place the gears on the right-side mechanism. Pull the lever to rotate the waterwheel and activate the machinery.
• Reward: Unlocks part of the main quest.

Puzzle #2: The Blessed Pearl (Left Mechanism)

• Objective: Align the gears on the left-side mechanism using the same three small cogwheels and large cogwheels.
• Reward: Opens the stone gate leading to the Hidden Pyramid. Don’t forget to retrieve the small gears.

Puzzle #3: Waterfall Ruins

• Location: Western Sukhothai.
• Setup: You’ll acquire another small cogwheel in this chamber, bringing your total to four.
• Solution: Arrange the gears to form a balanced rotational structure. The solution involves interlinking smaller gears with large ones to complete the mechanism.

Puzzle #4: Wat Mahathat

• Location: Central Island near the main temple.
• Setup: Requires five small cogwheels.
• Challenge: This puzzle emphasizes symmetry. Focus on connecting the outer wheels with the central mechanism for smooth rotation.

Puzzle #5: Wat Si Sawai

• Location: Overworld section of Wat Si Sawai, unrelated to the underground side quest.
• Setup: Needs six small cogwheels and the placement of two large gears.
• Solution: Arrange the gears to form an interlocked triangular structure. Test the alignment before pulling the lever.

Puzzle #6: Hidden Platform

• Access: Fast travel to Wat Chana Songkhram, then take a boat eastward. Dive into the water and use the Rebreather to access the chamber.
• Setup: This area introduces vertical alignment challenges, requiring you to bridge multiple levels with gears.

Puzzle #7: Village

• Access: Similar to the Hidden Platform, you’ll need the Rebreather to navigate underwater passages.
• Solution: Form an inverted-L pattern using small cogwheels. Pay close attention to the rotational path of each gear.

Puzzle #8: River Bank

• Access: The final and most complex puzzle is unlocked after completing the prior six.
• Setup: Requires all 10 small cogwheels.
• Solution: This puzzle demands precise placement of all gears. Start from the central mechanism and work outward, ensuring no gaps in the gear rotation. Test frequently to refine the setup.

Pro Tips for Mastering Khmer Cogwheel Puzzles

1. Visualize the Solution: Study the gear diagrams before making placements. Rushing can lead to wasted time.
2. Efficiency Is Key: Always retrieve small cogwheels after completing a puzzle. These are essential for subsequent challenges.
3. Leverage Save Points: Save before starting complex puzzles to avoid backtracking in case of errors.
4. Explore for Extras: Take photos of nearby pillars for extra Adventure Points and explore each chamber thoroughly for hidden relics.