This is a bare-bones guide that lists every action you need to take to progress through the necessary story events of Perfect Tides. Just like pretty much every point-and-click adventure game, the gameplay boils down to exploring the world, taking it in, getting to know its inhabitants, and figuring out the puzzles needed to move forward through. This guide is purposefully vague, mostly because the game has just come out but also because I think it's best experienced trying to figure everything out for yourself. It is "spoiler-free" insofar as it does not spoil anything about the story, but this guide does spoil all of the puzzles necessary to proceed through the game. I have put the solutions to these puzzles in spoiler boxes, as to avoid accidentally peeping a solution to a puzzle you haven't gotten to.

If you are stuck, exploring and experimenting will usually get you where you need to go. Try going to screens you haven’t been to in awhile, talking to people, picking up items (usually always brighter than the background), using items on people and objects, and checking the internet. Interacting with objects in different ways (looking, touching, talking) will provide you with flavor text and could help glean some information. Something important to remember is that the cursors are all pixel-perfect. This means you will only interact with an object if the highlighted pixel on your cursor (typically bright pink or green) is touching the object you want to interact with.

Something else to keep in mind is that there are completely optional story threads that this guide does not cover. If you follow this guide to a T, you will be missing out on these! You can (and should!) look out for these threads and pursue them as they play out. These will add to your score and potentially affect certain outcomes within the story. In the event that you find yourself on one of these threads, your may be able to progress through the story in a way that is not listed in this guide.

I'm intending on eventually writing a more in-depth GameFAQs-styled guide that covers just about everything, but I've already played through it a bunch while beta-testing and bug-hunting and I don't want to burn myself out! Feel free to let me know if there's anything you think could be added.


I gave my Mom the package/made dinner plans with Simon. What do I do now?

There's an item you need to pick up near the Tides. Mara is pretty creative and should be able to throw something together that will help you move forward.

How do I turn my internet back on?

You can get to the modem from the bathroom, though you'll need to find an item outside first.

It's winter and I feel like I've checked absolutely everything. Where do I go?

A door you've probably seen before has been unlocked somewhere on Perfect Tides. Go find it!

• Find an inner tube.
  
• Inflate it.
  
• Use it on the wagon.
  
• Take the wagon home.
  
• Pick up the groceries.
  
• Put the groceries away.
  
• Connect to the internet.
  
• Check out the chat room.
  
• Talk to your mom.
  
• Pick up the package from the post office.
  
• Bring the package back to your mom.
  
• Find a beer bottle.
  
• Use the bubble wrap on the beer bottle.
  
• Give the coozy to Mikey.
  
• Eat dinner with Simon.
  
• Talk to Lily.
  
• Get on the computer.
  
• Tell your mom you’re ready for school.
  
• Take a seat in class.
  
• Get the items in your locker.
  
• Tell your mom you’re ready to go home.
  
• Talk to Simon and Billy.
  
• Talk to Simon.
  
• Get on the computer.

• Use the laptop.
  
• Go home and play the game.
  
• Mail the letter.
  
• Talk to the cameraman.
  
• Talk to Simon.
  
• Use the sign to get on TV.
  
• Go to the woods.
  
• Talk to Dean.
  
• Talk to Simon.
  
• Get the book.
  
• Talk to Dean.
  
• Have Mitch sign the book.
  
• Give the book to Mikey.
  
• Watch the tape.
  
• Find the screwdriver.
  
• Use the screwdriver in the bathroom.
  
• Plug in cable into the modem.
  
• Find the password in Timothy's room.
  
• Log into Timothy’s computer.
  
• Go to the admin settings.
  
• Turn your internet back on.
  
• Tell your mom you’re ready to go.
  
• Talk to Justin.
  
• Go in the back.
  
• Talk to your mom.

• Talk to Jackson.
  
• Check the forums.
  
• Talk to Paul to go back to work.
  
• Talk to Amanda.
  
• Tell Amanda you’re ready to go.
  
• Sit on the couch.
  
• Talk to Jason.
  
• Talk to Amanda.
  
• Tell Amanda you’re ready to leave.
  
• Get on the computer.
  
• Talk to Amanda.
  
• Talk to Mrs. Peters.
  
• Talk to Jackson.
  
• Talk to Jackson again.
  
• Go to the campsite.
  
• Go to the Marina.
  
• Sit in the passenger’s seat.
  
• Go to the Tides.
  
• Take Jason’s hand.
  
• Talk to Robert and Amanda.
  
• Get on the computer.
  
• Talk to Amanda to board the ferry.
  
• Talk to Justin.
  
• Talk to Jason.
  
• Take a seat in class.
  
• Check the drawer in the dark room.
  
• Use the work area.
  
• Follow the steps in Mara’s notebook to develop the film.
  
• Talk to Mrs. Duffy. Repeat as necessary.
  
• Exit to the right of the school.
  
• Sit on the couch.
  
• Talk to Timothy.
  
• Get on the computer.
  
• Talk to your mom.
  
• Talk to your mom again.
  
• Show Jason the guitar.
  
• Talk to Simon.
  
• Talk to Jason.
  
• Use the laptop.
  
• Talk to Jason.
  
• Go to your room.

• Pick up the groceries.
  
• Put the groceries away.
  
• Talk to your mom.
  
• Get on the computer.
  
• Check the fridge.
  
• Tell Timothy you’re ready to go.
  
• Talk to Jason.
  
• Talk to Timothy.
  
• Sit with Simon.
  
• Get on the computer.
  
• Go to the nightclub.
  
• Get up on the DJ booth.
  
• Get on the computer.
  
• Tell Robert and Jason you’re ready to leave.
  
• Sit with Robert.
  
• Go to the back room.
  
• Sit with Robert.
  
• Talk to Jason.
  
• Go into the motel room.
  
• Sit on the bed.
  
• Eat the Oh’s.
  
• Check your mom’s room.
  
• Get on your computer.
  
• Talk to your mom.
  
• Open presents.
  
• Go outside.